Report: Carolina Panthers inform Shaq Thompson he will hit free agency
The Carolina Panthers have informed linebacker Shaq Thompson they will not be re-signing him, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Thompson will be a free agent this offseason.
“We appreciate Shaq’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons,” Panthers general manager Dan Morgan wrote in a statement. “Always a source of passion and enthusiasm, he was committed to this organization on and off the field, poured into his teammates and strived to bring out the best in them. We wish Shaq the best as he moves forward with his career.”
The Panthers drafted Shaq Thompson in 2015 and he’s been with the organization ever since. During his time in Carolina, Thompson has amassed 752 tackles, 12 sacks, 26 pass deflections, three interceptions and four forced fumbles.
In the 2024 campaign, Thompson only played four games before suffering a torn Achilles tendon. In those four games, he tallied 35 tackles. It was the second consecutive season that Thompson suffered a season-ending injury.
In 2023, Thompson only played in two games before suffering a broken fibula and being placed on injured reserve. It’s been an unfortunate turn of events for Thompson, who had the best season of his career in 2022.
He started all 17 games in the 2022 season, racking up a career-high 135 tackles. Thompson was a team captain for five seasons with the Panthers. In January, Thompson discussed the team’s impending decision and what he hoped would happen.
“Yeah, I would love to end my career here,” Thompson said. “One of the guys in history to play with one team. It’s up to them. These two injuries were fluky. Everyone knows about the one last year and, of course, about the one this year. There’s nothing I can do. But it happened, get better, come back strong.”
Unfortunately for Thompson, he’ll have no choice but to find a new home for next season.
This story will be updated.
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