Veteran LB Shaq Thompson makes big career decision

Following news that the Panthers wouldn’t be re-signing Shaq Thompson, there was some natural speculation surrounding the veteran’s NFL future. The linebacker was quick to shut down any talks of retirement, as Thompson announced on Wednesday that he intends to keep playing in 2025.

“I’m incredibly excited about the next chapter in my life,” Thompson wrote. “There’s still so much football left in me, I’m not retiring yet! I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

A former first-round pick, Thompson was a mainstay on Carolina’s defense for a decade. His best stretch came between 2019 and 2022 when the linebacker averaged 116 tackles per season. Thompson signed a four-year, $54M deal with the Panthers before his rookie contract expired, and the veteran will now be seeking his third career deal.

Thompson’s recent injury woes contributed to the Panthers' decision to pivot elsewhere, and they’ll likely cloud his impending free agency. A broken fibula and an Achilles tear limited him to only six games between 2023 and 2024, so there’s a chance he needs to settle for a one-year, prove-it deal before reentering free agency next offseason.

Considering his track record, Thompson should have the ability to continue his career in a new spot. When factoring in the veteran’s lack of playoff experience, it’s easy to assume he’ll catch on with a linebacker-needy contender.