Carolina Panthers’ tight end Ian Thomas was drafted in 2018 in the fourth round. Thomas has had his ups and downs with the Panthers but continues to repay the team that drafted him. Ian was drafted by the Rivera regime, where he also had his greatest success as a pass catcher in that 2018 rookie year. Unfortunately, Thomas didn’t replicate that success in the 2019 season, and many believe he himself in Rivera’s “dog house.” Those who follow the team closely know Rivera didn’t forgive players easily, and Thomas languished in a subdued role.
Once Matt Rhule took over the team in the 2020 season, many believed Thomas might return to his rookie form. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Thomas’s production remained about the same, notching only 20 catches for 145 yards. Carolina would draft Notre Dame tight end Tommy Tremble the next season, which many believed the death knell for Thomas, and raved about the potential of Tremble. Fans were saying their goodbyes to Thomas before the 2021 season, thinking the team would be moving in a different direction. Once again, this wasn’t the case, and Ian was a mentor to Thomas during the 2021 season. Surprisingly, Thomas signed a 3-year extension to the tune of about 17 million. The fanbase was shocked because the money exceeded his production. McAdoo and Rhule both clamored over his potential and blocking prowess of Ian heading into the 2022 season. He certainly was intended to be a factor in the offense. We saw “the tight end screen” thrown to Thomas throughout the season. Thomas finished the season with around 200 yards receiving, once again, despite being a focal point of the offense. Thomas’s contract and pay changed, but the production remained the same.
Now that the Reich Era is underway, even more, changes have been made to the Panthers and Ian’s role remains unclear. Carolina acquired Hayden Hurst in free agency, and it’s clear he’s Reich intends for him to be the main tight-end involved in the offense. As a result, Carolina had to make a decision on Thomas’s future with the Panthers. Like another long-time Panther, Shaq Thompson, Thomas chose rework to ensure he could stay in Carolina. Instead of sticking to his 3-year and 17-million-dollar contract, Ian agreed to 3 million, and 3.65 million in salaries for seasons 2023 and 2024. This selfless move created about $2.9 million in cap space for the upcoming season.
The Black and Blue blooded Thomas has always been a Panther and has always worked to educate others about autism. Just last week, Thomas was the star host of the “Turning the Night Blue Event” in Charlotte. This is where he teamed up with Autism Charlotte. They were committed to: Advocate, Educate, Love, and Accept for autism awareness. David and Nicole Tepper attended the event in support of Thomas. The Foundation even donated ten thousand dollars to this beautiful cause supported vehemently by Ian Thomas. The selflessness shown by Ian should be an example to all of us.
By @DeezIllSkillz
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