Panthers Release K. Johnson

The Carolina Panthers released wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson.

It's the second straight offseason that Johnson, 34, has been released. He was cut by the Dallas Cowboys last offseason and signed with the Panthers to serve as the complement to star wideout Steve Smith.

Johnson had 70 catches for 815 yards and four touchdowns last season, but now is looking for work again. The Panthers selected USC wide receiver Dwayne Jarrett in the second round of the NFL draft Saturday, and have young wideout Keary Colbert already on the roster.

"We felt like we have a group of young receivers who we feel can develop and help us a lot with time and reps," Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney told NFL Sirius Radio. "You know, it's always hard because Keyshawn was great. He was everything we'd hoped he would be when we signed him, but we just thought it was time to try to make that decision and give the young guys time to develop."

Hurney said he had several conversations with Johnson about the decision.

"The one thing you know about Keyshawn is he understands the business, and when I talked to him and explained the reasoning he understands it," Hurney said during his radio interview. "I don't think he agrees with it.... I think that obviously Keyshawn feels that he can help somebody as a football player and felt like he could help us. I think he was a little surprised but, again, I think he understood."

By Mark Maske |  May 1, 2007; 7:50 PM ET  | Category:  Panthers
Previous: Patriots' Moves Make Them Team to Beat | Next: Chiefs Trade R. Sims to Bucs, Cut E. Hicks

The comments to this entry are closed.