One of the biggest offseason dilemmas that the Carolina Panthers find themselves in is what to do with veteran defensive end Charles Johnson. His defensive line coach Eric Washington would like him back according to The Charlotte Observer.

“In the playoffs you saw what he’s capable of doing,” Washington told the Observer. “I don’t see that changing with him. I know he’s a very prideful guy and he’s going to do everything he can to play at the level he’s capable of playing.”

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Due a little more than $15 million against the salary cap in 2016, Carolina would like to decrease that or get rid of it all together. One of the solutions has been to cut Johnson and get back $11 million. However, with Jared Allen retiring last week, it puts the team into a tough spot. The only player with any real experience and production is Kony Ealy, who came on strong in the Super Bowl. It would be a gamble to expect a draft pick to immediately come in and contribute or for one of the young players on the roster to suddenly step up their game.

With an estimated $22 million in cap space available and having to either sign cornerback Josh Norman to a long-term deal or franchise tag him, general manager Dave Gettleman could ask Johnson to take a paycut or do an extension. Either situation keeps Johnson in town for at least another year, but at only 29 years old currently, he might be less than thrilled with the options.

It’s a difficult situation that isn’t made easier with his position coach being so high on him. It’s been an underrated move that could either pay huge dividends for the Panthers future or cause them to be in trouble.