Shaq Thompson: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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For a decade, Shaq Thompson was the heartbeat of the Carolina Panthers’ defense. He was a steady force, a leader in the locker room, and a fan favorite.

NFL News / Athlon Sports / June 11

Shaq Thompson Reveals Major Factor In Bills Decision

Shaq Thompson spent the first 10 years of his career with the Carolina Panthers. When the team released him back in February, not only was there uncertainty

NFL News / Buffalo Bills on SI / June 11

Shaq Thompson signing could spell end for Bills fourth-year linebacker

The Buffalo Bills did very little this offseason at the linebacker position, leading up to the start of mandatory minicamp this week. They didn't sign any new linebackers at the beginning of free agency, nor did they draft anyone at the position.

Nick Chubb News / Yardbarker Quizzes

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Carolina Panthers News / A to Z Sports / June 10

Carolina Panthers legend gets another shot to pursue a Super Bowl after signing with a top AFC contender on the first day of minicamp

The Carolina Panthers are in an interesting time as a franchise and it's split a lot of the fanbase, even if the team is finally making the right decisions.

NFL News / NFL on ClutchPoints / June 10

Bills sign 10-year Panthers star

The NFL season is drawing closer. Teams are still actively trying to make their team better despite mandatory mini-camps in action. On Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills made a defensive move that could prove to be very beneficial.

NFL News / Field Level Media / June 10

LB Shaq Thompson signs with Bills, reunites with Sean McDermott

The Buffalo Bills bolstered their defensive corps on Tuesday by signing linebacker Shaq Thompson to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed for Thompson, who will be reunited with head coach Sean McDermott.

NFL News / NFLTradeRumors.co / June 10

Bills Sign LB Shaq Thompson To One-Year Deal

The Buffalo Bills announced they have signed former Panthers LB Shaq Thompson to a one-year deal. Thompson, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2015.

Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / May 15

Panthers player named breakout star to watch by PFF in 2025

When Shaq Thompson went down early last season, Panthers fans feared the worst. But in the middle of the chaos, a third-round rookie quietly stepped into the spotlight — and now, Trevin Wallace may be primed for a breakout year.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / March 13

NFL free agency: Panthers check another box with Shaq Thompson replacement

Heading into the 2025 NFL free agency period, the Carolina Panthers had a bunch of boxes to check on the defensive side of the ball. They needed depth beneath Derrick Brown inside, more firepower on the edge, security at cornerback, two big upgrades at safety and at least one more reliable inside linebacker.

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NFL News / Carolina Panthers on SI / March 3

Proposed Panthers signing adds Jets projected $14 million breakout star to defense

It's no secret that the Carolina Panthers had a terrible defense in 2024. The unit finished dead-last in total yards and rushing yards allowed, and 23rd in passing yards given up per game.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / February 28

ESPN projects Panthers sign first-time All-Pro defender in free agency

The Carolina Panthers need a linebacker. The middle of their defense was pretty porous last year, and they're letting Shaq Thompson walk. There aren't a ton of high-level interior linebackers in the draft, and the Panthers are likely to target other needs in the draft.

Carolina Panthers News / Pro Football Rumors / February 26

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.

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Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / February 25

Luke Kuechly gives reaction to the Panthers decision to part ways with Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers made the difficult decision to part ways with veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson after a decade together. Thompson suffered back-to-back season-ending injuries, limiting him to just six games over the past two seasons.

Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / February 24

End of an Era as Panthers Part Ways with Shaq Thompson

For the first time in a decade, the Carolina Panthers will enter a season without Shaq Thompson anchoring their defense. The team announced Monday that the veteran linebacker, a cornerstone of the franchise since 2015, will be released and allowed to explore free agency.

NFL News / Tampa Bay Buccaneers on SI / February 24

Should the Buccaneers go after former Panthers veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson in free agency?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to fill some holes across their roster this offseason after reaching the Wild Card round of the playoffs in 2024. While the season was promising from an offensive standpoint, the Bucs' defense wasn't, and hasn't, been what the Krewe has become accustomed to under Todd Bowles' leadership.

Carolina Panthers News / Field Level Media / February 24

Panthers moving on from veteran LB Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers will not re-sign veteran outside linebacker Shaq Thompson, allowing the former first-round draft pick to enter free agency. "We appreciate Shaq's leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons, general manager Dan Morgan said in a statement Monday.

Carolina Panthers News / Pro Football Rumors / February 24

Panthers will not re-sign Shaq Thompson

Clarity has emerged regarding Shaq Thompson‘s immediate future. The veteran linebacker will not be back with the Panthers, the team announced on Monday.

Carolina Panthers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / February 24

Panthers Moving On From LB Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers announced they have informed LB Shaq Thompson he can enter free agency as they are moving in a different direction. Thompson has played just six games over the last two years due to injuries but he expressed his desire to retire in Carolina earlier this offseason.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

Two AFC powerhouses predicted to lure Shaq Thompson away from the Panthers

Once the league year ends in March, Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson will be a free agent. He's expressed a desire to stay with the team that selected him in the first round in 2015, but they may have other paths they'd like to go down, especially after drafting linebacker Tevin Wallace in 2024.

Carolina Panthers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 13

Shaq Thompson Wants To End Career With Panthers

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson has spent 10 seasons with the team after being selected 25th overall out of Washington in the 2015 draft. Due to injuries, Thompson has played just six games over the last two seasons including four in 2024.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 6

Shaq Thompson discusses future with the Panthers & how many years he has left in him

Veteran Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason and after two consecutive years of suffering season-ending injuries, there's no guarantee the organization will bring him back.

Carolina Panthers News / Field Level Media / September 30

Report: Panthers LB Shaq Thompson dealing with Achilles injury

Carolina Panthers star linebacker Shaq Thompson sustained what is believed to be a torn Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season, NFL Network reported Monday.

Carolina Panthers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / September 30

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson Suffered Torn Achilles

Tom Pelissero reports that Panthers LB Shaq Thompson suffered a torn Achilles on Sunday and will likely miss the rest of the season. You can expect the Panthers will place him on injured reserve but in the meantime, they have signed TE Stephen Sullivan and WR Deven Thompkins to their practice squad and released WR Sam Pinckney.

Carolina Panthers News / Yardbarker / October 20, 2022

Report: Panthers 'would listen' to Shaq Thompson trade offers

Report: Panthers 'would listen' to trade offers for former first-rounder Shaq Thompson

At 1-5 with an interim head coach in charge, many expect the Panthers to sell off some of their more valuable assets ahead of the November 1 NFL trade deadline.

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