San Diego Chargers Peelle began his professional career in 2002, when he was a fourth-round selection (103rd overall) by the
San Diego Chargers and their general manager
John Butler in the
2002 NFL draft. He played in 15 games his rookie season, including two starts. On the year, he caught three passes for 15 yards. Peelle was also fifth on the squad with seven tackles on special teams. His first
NFL reception came on a two-yard pass from quarterback
Drew Brees against the
San Francisco 49ers on November 17. Peelle started nine of the 15 games in which he appeared in 2003. He tallied a career-high 16 receptions for 133 yards on the season, and had one touchdown catch on the year. Peelle also contributed two tackles on special teams. He posted a career-high four catches, totaling 24 yards, against the
Baltimore Ravens on September 21. His lone scoring catch of the year came on a seven-yard grab from Brees in the back of the end zone the following week at the
Oakland Raiders, marking his first NFL
touchdown reception. He was inactive for game at the
Detroit Lions on December 7 with a concussion sustained the previous week against the
Kansas City Chiefs. Peelle started four of 16 contests in which he appeared in 2004. He totaled 10 receptions for 84 yards and a pair of scores on the season and recorded four stops on special teams. His first reception of season came on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Brees in 38–17 win over the
Tennessee Titans on October 3. Peelle tallied his longest scoring reception of his NFL career in a 42–14 victory over the Raiders on October 31 with a 17-yard grab from Brees. Peelle had three receptions for a career-best 34 yards in first-round playoff game against the
New York Jets on January 8, 2005. Peelle played in all 16 games in 2005, including four starts in what would be his final season with the Chargers. He caught 11 passes for 38 yards and a touchdown on the year while collecting two special teams tackles. He had his most productive day of season at the Raiders on October 16 when he caught three passes for 20 yards, including a four-yard touchdown reception from
running back LaDainian Tomlinson in the Chargers’ 27–14 victory.
Miami Dolphins (left) The
Miami Dolphins signed Peelle as an
unrestricted free agent on March 20, 2006. Peelle signed a three-year deal with the team which included base salaries of $600,000 (2006), $1.2 million (2007), and $1.3 million (2008). Peelle appeared in 15 games for the Dolphins in 2006, including a career-high ten starts. This was due to the team's increased use of two-tight end sets, which created more time for Peelle and less for
fullback Darian Barnes. He finished with 16 catches for 116 yards and one touchdown on the season, marking the fourth consecutive season he had at least one touchdown catch. He was inactive once (on October 15 at the New York Jets) with a knee injury, allowing tight end
Jason Rader to make the first start of his career. On November 19 against the
Minnesota Vikings, Peelle had three catches for 21 yards and one touchdown, coming on an 11-yard pass from former Oregon teammate Joey Harrington. It was his first touchdown catch as a member of the Dolphins. On August 30, 2008, Peelle was released by the Dolphins during final cuts.
Atlanta Falcons Peelle was signed by the
Atlanta Falcons on September 1, 2008. The team released
tight end Jason Rader to make room for Peelle on the roster. Peelle was named the starting tight end after
Ben Hartsock was placed on injured reserve. Peelle has made a great impact on the Falcons as a great receiving tight end. He helped the Falcons clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2004. The Falcons re-signed him on February 26, 2009. On August 18, 2011, he was released with an injury settlement.
San Francisco 49ers The
San Francisco 49ers signed Peelle on September 13, 2011. During the 2011 season, he typically played in multiple-tight-end sets backing up
Vernon Davis. On November 20, 2011, against the
Arizona Cardinals, after injuries to other players, Peelle also played
fullback.
Pittsburgh Steelers The
Pittsburgh Steelers signed Peelle on August 13, 2012, but he was released during final roster cuts on August 27, 2012. ==NFL career statistics==