It turns out defensive end Charles Johnson was simply vacationing from the Panthers.
Not even a week after he was released, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday night that Johnson is returning to the Panthers on a one-year deal. He had visited the Buccaneers and Giants.
PFT has confirmed that Johnson will return to the Panthers, on a $3 million contract. He supposedly turned down up to $6 million elsewhere in order to stay with the Panthers.
Johnson told ESPN’s Josina Anderson he “came pretty close” to signing with the Giants but decided he’d rather be “home” with the Panthers.
Johnson had been scheduled to make $11 million in 2016 on his old contract, which was probably the biggest factor in his release. Injuries limited him to nine games and one sack last season.
Johnson, 29, has 63.5 career sacks, the second most in Panthers history.