Panthers veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson is facing an uncertain future in Carolina
Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson knows exactly where he wants to play next season.
“I got one more year. So I’m going to be here,” Thompson said. “I want to retire as a Carolina Panther.”
Thompson has one year left on the four-year, $54 million contract extension he signed in 2019. He carries a $24 million cap hit, and is currently the most expensive player on the Panthers’ 2023 roster, but none of his salary is guaranteed, meaning the team can cut Thompson without much penalty. He would carry about $11 million in dead cap room, but the team would save nearly $13.2 million by cutting him.
Thompson is still a productive NFL linebacker whose leadership is a pillar of the Panthers locker room, but his 2023 salary would be the sixth highest among all NFL off-ball linebackers. The 28-year-old veteran is due more money than All-Pro linebackers Lavonte David of the Buccaneers and the Vikings’ Eric Kendricks.
The Panthers also have a free agent class filled with key starters they are determined to retain. Center Bradley Bozeman and running back D’Onta Foreman are a priority. The team is also interested in bringing back quarterback Sam Darnold. Star defensive end Brian Burns is also eligible for a market-setting contract extension this off-season.
Thompson realizes his situation, and sounds willing to do whatever it takes to keep everyone in Carolina.
“I understand we have a lot of guys to pay. So let’s pay these guys and run this back,” Thompson said. “I hope we keep everybody. To build a great team you got to keep the pieces and just build on them.”
Thompson would likely have to take a substantial pay cut to return to Carolina next season. If Thompson is not interested in taking less money, the Panthers should let him explore the open market before any official decisions are made about his contract. Then, if Thompson finds an external suitor, Carolina could entertain matching the offer. But if Thompson commands more than what Carolina is willing to pay, both sides would agree to part ways.
There is a chance Thompson has played his last snaps with the Panthers. Carolina drafted Thompson No. 25 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He played an important role in the Panthers’ historic 15-1 season, when he learned under linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis. His 709 tackles are the fourth-most in franchise history.
Losing Thompson would create a void in the middle of the Panthers’ defense. No one on the team played more defensive snaps in 2022 than Thompson. His team-high 1,089 snaps served as a model of consistency for younger players. Though he battled several nagging injuries throughout the season, Thompson found a way not to miss a game for the first time in his career. He also led the team in tackles with 104.
Thompson wants to remain in Carolina. He hopes interim coach Steve Wilks is back with him, too, which is why emotions were so high inside the Panthers’ winning locker following Eddy Piñeiro’s game-winning field goal against New Orleans on Sunday.
“We want Wilks. We kept fighting for him,” Thompson said. “It’s the one last time we all (may) play together. We played this last football game together and will enjoy it.”
This story was originally published January 12, 2023 at 5:40 AM.
