Panthers Weapon Leaving Carolina After Spending 7 Seasons With Team

After not being re-signed by the Carolina Panthers in NFL free agency, veteran tight end Ian Thomas has joined a new team for the 2025 season. The former Carolina pass-catcher signed with the Las Vegas Raiders on Tuesday. 

The writing was on the wall for Thomas in Carolina, dating back to last offseason when the team took Ja’Tavion Sanders in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Sanders had 33 receptions (43 targets) for 342 yards and a touchdown in 16 games (eight starts).

Then fast-forward to this offseason, where Carolina re-signed Tommy Tremble to a two-year, $10.5 million contract extension ahead of the legal tampering period. With Sanders and Tremble in the fold for the foreseeable future and offering more as receiving threats, Thomas decided to go elsewhere.

Last season, the veteran tight end appeared in five games (two starts) before going on injured reserve with a calf injury. Thomas spent seven seasons with the club after they took him in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Baltimore, MD native hasn’t been a huge factor as a pass catcher in his career, racking up 119 receptions (185 targets) for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns. Thomas’ best season with the Panthers happened in 2018, which was his rookie year.

The former Indiana Hoosiers tight end amassed 36 receptions (49 targets) for 333 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games (six starts). Thomas could not replicate those numbers in the rest of his time with the Panthers.

Nonetheless, the former Panthers tight end will look for a fresh start with the Raiders, led by Pete Carroll. Thomas could become the TE2 behind stud tight end Brock Bowers, especially if Las Vegas moves on from former second-round pick Michael Mayer.

Meanwhile, the Panthers will see if Jordan Matthews, Dominique Dafney, or James Mitchell will win the TE3 job in minicamp and training camp.

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