The Panthers released Edwards on Thursday, the team's official site reports.
In four seasons with the Panthers, Edwards played an important role in the defensive tackle rotation, yet he logged just 34 percent of the defensive snaps in 2015, picking up one sack among 14 tackles in 12 games. Considering the 34-year-old's salary would have amounted to $2.1 million for the upcoming campaign, general manager Dave Gettleman will instead scour free agency or the draft to restock the defensive front.