Shaq Thompson carried a $24 million cap hit in 2023 and because of it, many assumed that he had played his final game as a Carolina Panther. With a new coaching staff coming in and the team's need to clear up cap space, he felt like an obvious cut candidate.
However, Thompson and the Panthers' front office were able to rework his deal which will keep him in Carolina through the 2024 season. On Thursday, Thompson talked about his "return" to the Panthers for the first time.
"It's a business. You can't get your feelings involved. But this staff has been a blessing," Thompson said. "Over 200 years in experience, so it's like, why wouldn't you feel comfortable? Everybody knows the game, they've been coaching for a long time. There's no reason not to be confident and comfortable with these coaches. All you got to do is get to know them."
Earlier this offseason when the Panthers were still moving around some money and making moves, the coaching staff made sure to remain in contact with Thompson to express their genuine interest in having him as part of their plans.
"Frank was with me honestly through that whole process. Just talking to me telling me like, 'Man, we really want you back' but he doesn't do the money thing. But he was calling me, texting me almost every day. Him and Pete [Hansen] and Coach [Ejiro] Evero reaching out to me telling me how much they would love to have me back and that I fit the defense and that was another big part of the reason I came back."
Receiving a pay cut is never easy, especially when you're one of the two longest-tenured players on the team. But that's what had to happen in order for Shaq to remain with the Panthers. Knowing that several free agents weren't set to get big deals, it became an easy decision for Thompson.
"Shoot. Just look at the linebacker market. Nobody was getting paid. Tight end market nobody was getting paid. Running back market nobody was getting paid. So, it was just weighing out do I want to be here or do I want to go somewhere else. Do I want to be with my brothers who I went to war with? Or do I want to go to a different team and meet new people? I'm a big, loyal guy, so I stay with my brothers. And I was like man, I'd rather win with you guys. If I lose, I'd rather lose with y'all. I definitely want to win a Super Bowl but I want to win one with them. I don't want to win one with anybody else."
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