CHARLOTTE – The Panthers let Tre Boston know last month they were going to go in a different direction, but they had to wait until Wednesday to submit the paperwork.
Now, the Panthers can make it official that the veteran safety has been released.
Boston will carry the post-June 1 cut designation, splitting his cap hit over the next two years and allowing them to save another $3.55 million worth of room this year.
The 28-year-old Boston was third on the team in tackles last season, behind just Jeremy Chinn and Shaq Thompson. Boston had two fumble recoveries and an interception as well.
"Tre was a tremendous leader this year," Panthers head coach Matt Rhule said last week. "He was someone I thought was integral in helping play with a lot of young players and teaching them what it meant to be a pro. I think this year and this offseason, there's a lot of tough decisions that have to be made, and unfortunately, that was one of them."
Without Boston, the Panthers are left with Juston Burris and youngsters Sam Franklin Jr. and Myles Hartsfield at safety.
Boston had started every game the last two seasons, in his second stint with the team. Originally a fourth-round pick out of North Carolina, he played his first three seasons here, before spending a year each with the Cardinals and Chargers.
