Carolina Panthers: 5 Best Moves So Far in 2016

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Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) watches confetti fall after the NFC Championship football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers won 49-15. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

5: Cutting Charles Johnson

The Panthers really were looking at a restrictive cap situation. That was only going to get worse once the team re-signed Josh Norman either to a long-term deal or a franchise tender. Then the Panthers started cutting people. They released Jerricho Cotchery, Roman Harper, Dwan Edwards, Nate Chandler, and Charles Johnson.

Johnson was the big one worth $15 million against the cap next year. Only four million of that was guaranteed so the Panthers decided to save $11 million and cut the thirty year old defensive end. That was the biggest savings that they got in the cuts and the biggest amount of money they could open up. The next biggest was the eight million saved from Allen’s retirement.

Johnson also had a low sack year and spent part of the season injured. Second year man Kony Ealy seemed to be growing into Johnson’s role as an edge rusher.

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