It appears Thursday could be a stressful day, if you’re an NFL veteran with a big contract.
The Carolina Panthers released defensive end and captain Charles Johnson, the team announced. The move is designed to add salary cap space by dumping a player who was set to earn $11 million in 2016.
“Charles was an impact player for the Carolina Panthers for a long time, both on and off the field,” Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement released by the team. “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, a third-round draft pick in 2007, was a monster during the early part of his career. After appearing in just three games as a rookie, Johnson recorded 62.5 sacks over the next seven seasons, surpassing the 10-sack mark on three occasions. However, he battled an injury last season and played in just nine regular-season games, recording only one sack.
Johnson did pick up his game during the Panthers’ playoff run. He appeared in all three Carolina postseason games, recording three sacks and seven tackles, and he was one of the team’s lone bright spots in its Super Bowl 50 loss to Denver, with one sack and four tackles.
Johnson will be 30 when the 2016 season begins.
Johnson is only one of a handful of recent NFL veteran cuts. The New England Patriots dropped Scott Chandler and Brandon LaFell on Wednesday, and the Houston Texans released veteran running back Arian Foster on Thursday.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
