Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson couldn't remain with the team due to a huge salary cap figure in 2016, leading to his release on Thursday, according to Max Henson of the Carolina Panthers.
Johnson was due to be a cap hit of $15.02 million, and the Panthers stand to save $11 million overall by cutting him loose, per Spotrac. Unless he comes back on a considerable pay cut, Johnson appears to be on course to change teams for the first time in his NFL career.
“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, via Black and Blue Review after the announcement.