Carolina Panthers will not sign a veteran outside Linebacker Shaq Thompson, which allows the previous draft to the first round to enter free agency.
“We appreciate Shaq’s leadership and commitment over the past ten seasons,” Director General Dan Morgan said in a statement Monday. ” Always a source of passion and enthusiasm, he was involved in this organization on and outside the field, poured in his teammates and strived to get the best in them.
“We wish Shaq the best as he is moving forward with his career.”
Injuries limited Thompson, 30, to four matches in 2024 (broken Achilles) and two matches in 2023 (broken ankle).
He has recorded 752 tackles, 12 bags, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in 123 matches (112 starts) since Carolina prepared him with the 25th overall election in 2015 from Washington.
Thompson helped Panthers reach Super Bowl 50 during his rookie season and climbed to fourth place in the team history in tackles, dragging Luke Kuechly (1,092), Thomas Davis (1,077) and Mike Minter (771).
Thompson, who turns 31 in April, told reporters in January that he hoped to end his career with Carolina.
“Be one of the guys in the story who played with a team. But it’s up to them,” he said. “These two injuries … It happens. All I can do is get better and come back strong.”
Thompson played last season in one year, $ 3.1 million agreements, Per Spotrac. The five times the team captain counted 35 tackles in four starts before injuring his Achilles in a week 4 loss to Cincinnati Bengals.
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