The Panthers released veteran defensive end Charles Johnson, freeing up $11 million in cap space for 2016 but losing a defensive captain.
The team made the announcement Thursday morning, six days before the start of free agency.
“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. “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.”
Spending all nine of his NFL years in Carolina, Johnson had 63 1/2 sacks, the second-most in team history behind Julius Peppers’ 81.