The veteran linebacker’s contract is expiring and the team has informed him that they plan on moving in a different direction.
The Carolina Panthers have informed Shaq Thompson that they plan on going in a different direction and will allow him to enter free agency in March.
It’s sad but not terribly surprising news. After eight sturdy, durable years, Thompson’s body seemed to give out on him. He only played in six games over the last two seasons. Both ended with catastrophic injuries—a broken fibula in 2023 and a torn Achilles tendon in 2024. His injuries, age, and declining play make for a player that doesn’t fit what the Panthers are trying to build right now.
It ends a 10 year Panthers career for the former first round pick. He was brought in as an understudy to Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis and eventually became the team’s defensive leader after those two moved on. While he was never the caliber of player of those two, he’s always gotten rave reviews for his leadership on that side of the ball.
Thompson will be 31 in April. We’ll see if he tries to find another team to latch onto or if this is truly the end of his NFL story.