Old North Banter
Fansided

5 Panthers Leaving Carolina in the New Year

By Richard Louis

Nov 24, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (82) on the field in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Nov 24, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (82) on the field in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next

4. Shaq Thompson, LB

Linebacker Shaq Thompson has been with the Panthers for the past 10 seasons. He was originally drafted in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft and became a focal point of the defense.

The Washington product recorded 100-plus tackles from 2019-2022 but has been slammed with season-ending injuries in consecutive campaigns. In 2023, Thompson broke his fibula against the New Orleans Saints, limiting him to two games.

This season, Thompson ruptured his Achilles in Week 4 against the Cincinnati Bengals and was sidelined for the remainder of the year. Before the season began, Thompson and the Panthers agreed on a restructured contract of one year for $3.1 million.

Another reason it could be easy for the Panthers to move on from Thompson was due to the play of rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace. He was added in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft and was quickly thrust into serious playing time. The Kentucky product was second among linebackers on the team in total snaps (583), racking up 64 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and a sack.

His season was cut short with a shoulder injury but the arrow is trending up for the 21-year-old.

While Thompson has been a staple for this team for a decade, the team may be coming to an end. With back-to-back season-ending injuries, the Panthers may let him walk in free agency.

Home/Carolina Panthers