Panthers cut veteran defensive end Charles Johnson (From ProFootballTalk) Posted by Darin Gantt on March 3, 2016, 9:36 AM EST APThe Panthers hedged last week when asked about veteran defensive end Charles Johnson taking a pay cut, and now we know why. The team announced they had cut the franchise’s second all-time leading sacker. The Carolina Panthers have released defensive end Charles Johnson, the team announced Thursday. “Charles was an impact player for the Carolina Panthers for a long time, both on and off the field,” 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 was scheduled to make $10.75 million this year, and that was more than you can afford to pay a guy who played nine games and had 1.0 sack last year. But he had 41.0 sacks the four years prior, and was dependable as a run defender as well. He also came back from a hamstring injury to play well in the postseason, with 3.0 sacks in three games. The 29-year-old leaves a significant hole in the Panthers’ front four, even with the emergence of former second-rounder Kony Ealy. It’s a spot they’re going to have to address in free agency or high in the draft. What do you guys think? Another option in case OV and Shelby leave.
Sure, proven player...Not a liability at his position, makes plays within the concept of the team....Yeah...Why not?
I would sign Shelby either way, unless some team offers him too much, but CJ is certainly a viable option to at least explore.
He's a bit pricey. Raiders or Jags should pick him up. They've got so much cap space, they might just buy themselves a Super Bowl.
Yeah, and could probably play 3-4 DE in a pinch, he's a versatile Dlineman, he's a very good "1st off the bench" DE, and can start when you need it, in some ways I think it's more important to sign him than OV(too pricey) or Wake(old/injured) because he keeps some stability/diversity and won't be expensive.
