5 Carolina Panthers who retired at the perfect time
By Dean Jones
CHARLESJOHNSON. Pick Analysis. DE. 4. player. 87. Scouting Report. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Carolina Panthers Player No. 4: Charles Johnson (DE)
Charles Johnson came to the Carolina Panthers as a third-round pick. And he left the organization as one of its greatest ever players.
The defensive end was a supreme forced on the edge over a prolonged period. Johnson was used sparingly as a rookie. But he burst onto the scene in his second season and never looked back.
Johnson has physical strength that was astonishing. This was matched by fierce competitiveness and explosive nature than saw him emerge quickly as one of the NFL’s brightest pass-rushing prospects.
His 11-year stint with the Panthers ended with 67.5 sacks, 323 combined tackles, 228 solo tackles, 117 quarterback hits, 75 tackles for loss, 17 forced fumbles, and 25 pass deflections. Johnson was unbelievably never selected to a Pro Bowl. And he came within a whisker of a Super Bowl in 2015.
The defensive lineman was clearly passed the peak of his powers in 2017. And Johnson’s decision to retire following the season enabled him to protect his legacy.
The NFL is a what have you done for me lately league. And another campaign with disappointing production might have seen fans look a little differently at the impact he made on the team.
Johnson made the right choice. His legacy of leading from the front will live long in the memory. And his loyalty to the Panthers is something that is not seldom seen in the modern-day player.