I think it is a case of wanting more than just RCG's output from last season though, both on the field and at training. They get to bring in a hard edged, premiership winning, Kiwi international from a Roosters winning culture for $350,000, to replace a player that seemed a bit of head case towards the end there.
From Blade23's post, he said the Panthers were paying 20 to 25% of RCG's salary for 3 years, and nothing in the last 2 years. So if the $900,000 reported figure for RCG's contract is correct, the club has manged to release RCG, pay part of his salary, and sign a Kiwi international prop and a QLD reserve forward for the difference. I think that's a job well done.