Clarity has emerged regarding Shaq Thompson‘s immediate future. The veteran linebacker will not be back with the Panthers, the team announced on Monday. 
“We appreciate Shaq’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons,” a statement from general manager Dan Morgan reads. “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.”
Selected in the first round in 2015, Thompson has been a mainstay on the Panthers’ defense since his career began. He took on a full-time starting role during his second season, and for a stretch of four consecutive years (2019-22) he topped 100 tackles. Over the past two campaigns, however, Thompson has played a total of only six games.
In the wake of a broken fibula (2023) and an Achilles tear (2024), the 30-year-old admitted he could be on the move this offseason when speaking about his situation last month. Now, Thompson has been made aware of the fact he will hit the open market in March. Since this is not a release, he will need to wait until the start of the new league year to sign with a new team.
Still, today’s news means Thompson and his camp can begin gauging the market for his services. Given his age and missed time over the past two years, suitors will no doubt be hesitant to make a multi-year commitment in free agency. The Washington product is, however, a veteran of 127 combined regular and postseason games in his career, and he could provide a veteran presence in the second level to any number of contenders. Having made the playoffs only twice to date, Thompson will presumably be interested in taking a pact with a team eyeing a Super Bowl run in 2025.
Carolina will move forward after Thompson had previously accepted a pay cut to remain in place. The team has 2024 free agent signing Josey Jewell along with Trevin Wallace (selected in the third round of last year’s draft) atop the linebacker depth chart for 2025 and beyond. Thompson will now turn his attention to free agency for the first time in his career.