In 2014, it was Steve Smith. Last March, it was DeAngelo Williams. Now it’s Charles Johnson’s turn.
The defensive end became the latest veteran purged from the Carolina Panthers’ roster Thursday morning when he was released by the team who drafted him in 2007.
Entering the final year of a 6-year, $76 million contract he signed in 2011, Johnson was set to make $10.75 million this season. The Panthers wanted him to return, but asked him to take a pay cut. The two sides apparently didn’t agree on a number, so Johnson was let go.
The Panthers were facing a $15 million cap charge for Johnson in 2016. Releasing him saves $11 million of that, but they will carry $4 million in dead money.
Johnson counted $20 million against the cap last season, the fourth-highest hit in the NFL. A hamstring injury then limited him to one sack and 12 tackles in nine regular season games.
At the NFL combine last week, general manager Dave Gettleman was less than warm and fuzzy about Johnson’s future.
"We're still going through that evaluation," Gettleman said.
"It's hard because he got hurt. Then he's working his way back, and it's like, all right, when is he 100 percent? So we're still going through the process."
It took just over a week to finish that process.
“Charles was an impact player for the Carolina Panthers for a long time, both on and off the field,” Gettleman said Thursday in a statement.
“His statistics speak for themselves, and as a team captain he led the way you want your leaders to lead — by example. I wish him the best moving forward.”
Johnson, who will turn 30 in July, racked up 63.5 sacks in nine seasons, the second-most in Panthers' history. He’s one of three players in franchise history to have 10 or more sacks in at least three seasons.
“Charles has had a very good career as a Carolina Panther and I’ve enjoyed coaching him the past five seasons,” coach Ron Rivera said.
“Charles fought through adversity with his injury last season and set a great example for our locker room as a captain. I have a great deal of respect for Charles as a player and a person and thank him for all the contributions he has made to this team.”
Johnson's camp has indicated he's open to returning to Carolina if the market doesn't produce a better deal. That may be why neither side is handling the breakup with much bitterness:
@Panthers Love, Respect, and Hard Work #PantherPride ????✂️????????????????
— charles johnson (@randywattson) March 3, 2016
#ThankYouCharles pic.twitter.com/BTVBvwDrzc
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) March 3, 2016
Aside from J-Stew (which, we gotta have him) is this the last of the monster Hurney contracts?
think so…maybe Kalil
Ah, well yeah we need him too so I’ll suck that one up.
Kalil is in his last year, I think he’s in the 8-10 million area. Might be willing to restructure. Thomas Davis is in the last year of his deal too.
I think we can finally establish that “under evaluation” is Dave Gettleman speak for “pack your bags”
I’m thinking Couples and Williams FA signings….It takes DE’s at least a season to adjust to leauge if drafted….3rd years their coming out party if good
Still wonder if we give Alexander another shot. I think Delaire is going to be pretty good so if Delaire ends up being good and Alexander gets his act together, the Kony, Horton, Delaire, Alexander rotation with Addison on the situational should work out pretty well.
That would be one of the worst DE rotations in the NFL.
I know its inevitable but sad to see him go. Hold out hope that he tests the free agent waters and decides he wants to stay “home”. Class act have enjoyed watching him play.