Panthers: Released in February, Charles Johnson officially retires
Long-time Carolina Panthers defensive end, Charles Johnson, officially retires from football…
Charles Johnson was released from the Carolina Panthers in February after 11 years with the organization. Originally a third-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, Johnson enjoyed a very productive career rushing after opposing quarterbacks for the Panthers.
Johnson finishes with 67.5 sacks, second most in franchise history to Julius Peppers, recording at least one in every season except his first and last. A part of four NFC South divisional titles, Johnson registered a sack in 2015 during the Super Bowl, tallying five for his career in the playoffs – a team record.
After the 2016 season, Johnson thought his career may be over as he suffered from a back injury. Telling The Charlotte Observer last August that he, “could not walk for two weeks” during the spring, Johnson had a microdisectomy to relieve his pain and returned to football but just wasn’t the same.
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A life long member of the Panthers, Johnson briefly considered signing with the New York Giants once he became a free agent after 2015 but was inspired for a return to Carolina. During his interview with then New York general manager, Jerry Reese, discussions were held about how being with one team for an extended period of time could be beneficial.
Johnson opted for a new deal with his former team and it became the only one he would ever know during his entire NFL career. “The Panthers were all I knew and all I ever wanted to know,” Johnson told the team website.
His retirement marks the first from a handful of Panthers who will soon be following in his footsteps having only ever donned the black and blue. Center Ryan Kalil has already announced 2018 as his final season, his twelfth, and Thomas Davis, entering his fourteenth is likely not far behind.
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All three will be severely missed having made significant contributions to the franchise and Charlotte community both on and off the field.