Cutting Kurt Coleman, Charles Johnson gives Panthers cap space to explore options

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A look at what the release of safety Kurt Coleman and defensive end Charles Johnson means -- or could mean -- for the Carolina Panthers:

What it means:

-- More cap space: Clearing $5.9 million in salary cap space -- $3.25 million for Johnson and $2.65 million for Coleman -- now gives the Panthers approximately $26 million in cap space. That puts them among the top 20 teams in the NFL in available money for free agency.

-- Getting younger: The team and defense will almost certainly be younger, depending on how these players are replaced. Coleman is set to turn 30 and Johnson 32 before this season. The Panthers were the second-oldest team in the league with an average age of…