CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Five things Thursday’s release of veteran defensive end Charles Johnson means for the Carolina Panthers:
It starts with money: Cutting Johnson cleared $11 million in cap space, giving the Panthers more than $26 million in cap room heading into free agency next week. Because general manager Dave Gettleman likes to keep around $5 million in reserve entering training camp, this gives him the flexibility need to improve the roster.
Long term deal with Kawann Short: Ideally, the Panthers would like to get an extension with their Pro Bowl defensive tackle before he enters the final year of his rookie deal.