The Carolina Panthers announced on Monday that longtime Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson will not be re-signed, and will become a free agent for the first time in his career. Thompson is expected to pursue other options in free agency.
Panthers General Manager Dan Morgan said in a statement: “We appreciate Shaq’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons. 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.”
Thompson, 30, was Carolina’s No. 25 overall pick in the 2015 draft and has been with the Panthers for a decade, being named a team captain five times. He helped the club reach Super Bowl 50 as a rookie and had been a mainstay on the team’s defense, ranking fourth in team history with 752 tackles (behind only Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly and Mike Minter). Over 10 seasons, Thompson appeared in 123 games with 112 starts for Carolina, recording 12.0 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, 32 quarterback hits, and three interceptions.
However, the veteran linebacker has been limited to just six games over the last two seasons due to injuries — he broke his ankle in Week 2 of 2023 and was sidelined for the remainder of that season; and later tore his Achilles tendon the following year (2024) in Week 4 , again ending his season prematurely.
NFL teams must designate franchise or transition players by March 4. The free agent negotiation period starts March 10, with players able to start signing on March 12.
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