CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) Defensive end Charles Johnson has agreed to take a major pay cut to return to the Carolina Panthers, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.
Johnson, who was released last week by Carolina in a salary cap move, has agreed to a one-year contract worth $3 million with the NFC champion. Johnson turned down an offer in excess of $6 million from another team, according to Rosenhaus.
Rosenhaus says ''obviously his heart is with the Panthers and this wasn't about the money for him.''
Rosenhaus says Johnson plans to sign the contact Wednesday.
Johnson was slated to cost the Panthers $15 million this season under the cap before he was cut.
The 29-year-old Johnson has played nine seasons with Carolina and his 63 1/2 sacks are second-most in franchise history.
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