Shaq Thompson to Enter Free Agency

[travisura]

https://www.panthers.com/news/shaq-thompson-to-enter-free-agency-former-first-rounder-five-time-captain

Quote

CHARLOTTE — The Panthers informed veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson recently that he could enter free agency and that they were moving in another direction.

The 30-year-old Thompson, a team captain and trusted mentor, has been with the team since 2015 but has played just six games in the last two seasons because of injuries.

Their first-round pick in 2015, he played in a Super Bowl as a rookie alongside legends Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis.

His 752 tackles are fourth in franchise history, trailing only Davis, Kuechly, and Mike Minter.

 

Edited February 24, 2025 by travisura

[LinvilleGorge]

Best of luck. Wasn't he talking retirement a couple of years ago before he popped his Achilles? I was assuming he was probably just gonna retire.

[rayzor]

probably for the best. was hoping he'd be a bigger part of the team...kind of like a continuation of the stud LB tradition we had for years, that he would become legendary. oh well. still liked having him part of the team. if he comes back, cool. if not...good luck out there.

[Donald LaFell]

That’s sad. Sounds like they don’t want him back at any price? 
 

Shaq was kind of a connection to the past. A good way to trace the history of the team. He played with Thomas Davis, who played with Dan Morgan and Mike Minter(who played with Sam Mills). 
 

While he wasn’t an all time GOAT I wish we had a little bit more sentimental touch to this departure. 

[hepcat]

4 minutes ago, Donald LaFell said:

That’s sad. Sounds like they don’t want him back at any price? 

I imagine that if the Panthers don’t want him back he can’t play at a high level anymore. Too many injuries. 

[Bear Hands]

It's one of the last ties to 2015. I don't count JJ, he transcends the eras. 

Crazy we're a decade removed, but this is a smart move for us.  Hopefully Trevin can turn into something good and we can identify someone to grow behind Jewell at the other ILB spot.  

 

[GoingsGoingsGone]

It's time to let go of that previous era, and wholeheartedly embrace the Canales era. It's a shame how it's worked out for Shaq, but best for both parties to just end it here.

[ImfromClayton]

I hate it, because I do like Shaq, but it's really difficult to look at this and not find it to be the best decision for both Shaq and the franchise. 

Thanks for everything and best of luck Shaq. 

[Jon Snow]

It's time. Appreciate his time here but it's over.

[t96]

He was a really solid long term Panther who was always a team-first guy. Sad to see him go but this is absolutely for the best. He never quite lived up to our expectations (which may have been unreasonable considering how spoiled we had been at LBer before him), but he was ultimately one of Gettleman's few good draft picks and did contribute to our last 2 playoff runs.

[Icege]

One of the most criminally underappreciated players the Panthers have had. His greatest sins were being drafted to be insurance for Thomas Davis and getting a second contract from Marty Hurney.

Much success to you in your next chapter, Captain Shaq. o7

Edited February 24, 2025 by Icege

[CanadianCat]

I always liked Shaq. He was over shadowed the majority of his career and underappreciated because of it. If you can get 10 years out of a 1st round draft pick then that was a great great pick. 

[Chief Keek]

Good luck to Shaq, too bad he's been derailed by injuries.

[The Lobo]

Really liked Shaq, I hope he gets his money and has a healthy rest of his career. Good luck.