2016 NFL free agency: DE Charles Johnson released by Carolina Panthers

Add another veteran pass-rushing defensive end to the free agent mix for the New York Giants to consider. The Carolina Panthers have released nine-year veteran Charles Johnson.

The 29-year-old Johnson is second in Carolina team history with 63 sacks. A 2007 third-round pick by Carolina, Johnson has registered double-digit sacks three times in his career. He had only one in 2015, however, as a hamstring injury limited him to just nine games.

GM Dave Gettleman: "His statistics speak for themselves, and as a team captain he led the way you want your leaders to lead – by example."

— Max Henson (@PanthersMax) March 3, 2016

Johnson joins Mario Williams as former highly-paid top-tier pass rushers who have recently been dumped by their former teams. The Giants have Jason Pierre-Paul and Robert Ayers heading to free agency, which begins March 9. Johnson would have counted $15.02 million against the Carolina salary cap in 2016.

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