The Carolina Panthers have made the decision to part ways with D.J. Johnson, their third-round draft pick from 2023. The announcement came on Tuesday, signaling a definitive move as the team reassesses its roster strategy.
Johnson, who was acquired after the Panthers traded up in the draft, had a clear struggle during his time with the team. Over two seasons, he participated in 27 games but managed only five starts, compiling a mere half-sack, one quarterback hit, and 60 total tackles. His snap counts in the current season reflect a decline, as he played only 23% of defensive snaps, resulting in just two tackles.
The Panthers’ decision to move on from Johnson comes on the heels of recent roster changes aimed at bolstering the outside linebacker position. This offseason, the team drafted two edge rushers, Princely Umanmielen and Nic Scourton, and inked free-agent Patrick Jones, indicating a shift towards strengthening their defensive line.
Alongside Johnson, the Panthers also waived wide receiver Dalevon Campbell, who has been dealing with injuries. With these cuts, the only remaining members from the Panthers’ 2023 draft class are quarterback Bryce Young and guard Chandler Zavala. Johnson’s departure adds to a string of changes, as the team previously cut ties with Jammie Robinson, who currently resides on the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad, and traded Jonathan Mingo to the Dallas Cowboys earlier this year.
While the decision to waive Johnson marks a setback for the team, it reflects a commitment to foot the bill for higher performance on the field. The Panthers are clearly in a phase of recalibrating their roster, with hopeful expectations for the remaining players from the 2023 draft class to contribute significantly moving forward.