Panthers won't re-sign linebacker Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers have officially announced that they will not be re-signing veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson, allowing him to enter free agency. This decision marks the end of Thompson's decade-long tenure with the team, during which he accumulated 752 tackles and served as a five-time captain. Injuries have hampered his recent performance, limiting him to just six games over the past two seasons, including a torn Achilles in 2024 and a broken fibula in 2023. General manager Dan Morgan expressed appreciation for Thompson's leadership and dedication throughout his career with the Panthers. Despite his aspirations to finish his career with the team, the organization is moving in a different direction as it looks to rebuild. Thompson, a first-round pick in 2015, leaves behind a legacy as one of the franchise's all-time leading tacklers.