BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The exit speech defensive end Charles Johnson gave when he was released by the Carolina Panthers ultimately led to his return.
"The biggest thing was when Charles came in and met with us, the passion with which he talked about wanting to be with us was awesome," coach Ron Rivera said Monday from the NFL owners meeting. "I wish the other players could all hear the way he talked about it.
"To me it was really a profound statement that he made."
Johnson, 29, was released March 3 so the NFC champion Panthers could clear $11 million under the salary cap.