Shaq Thompson packs, linebacker hole grows for Carolina

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Shaq Thompson, the last defensive player remaining from the Carolina Panthers’ Super Bowl 50 squad, is free to seek employment elsewhere after the Panthers announced they won’t re-sign him after 10 seasons.

Shaq Thompson flashed a familiar smile as he spoke Jan. 6 about his future with the Carolina Panthers:  

“I would love to end my career here and be one of the guys in history to play with one team,” the linebacker said, surrounded by teammates clearing out their cubicles the morning after the Panthers’ season-ending overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons. “But it’s up to them.” 

General manager Dan Morgan made up his mind Monday, announcing the Panthers will allow Thompson to enter free agency on March 10. The move signals the end of the 2015 first-round draft pick’s tenure in Carolina.

“We appreciate Shaq’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons,” Morgan said in a statement. “We wish Shaq the best as he moves forward with his career.”   

The linebacker depth chart should look significantly different when the Panthers open next season.

Panthers new-look linebacker corps

In a Week 16 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium, the injury-plagued Panthers were down to three inside linebackers: Josey Jewell, undrafted free agent Jacoby Windmon, and special teams ace Jon Rhattigan, who played his first defensive snap the previous game.

Injuries decimated the Panthers' defense last season. They lost lynchpin defensive tackle Derrick Brown (knee) during the season opener, and Thompson (Achilles) went down during Week 4. The infirmary remained crowded as Jewell (concussion/quad), rookie Trevin Wallace (shoulder), and Claudin Cherelus (foot) also landed on injured reserve.

The injuries contributed to the Panthers’ historically bad defense last season. They surrendered the most points in league history (534) and 3,057 rushing yards, a league-worst average of 179.8 per game.

Analyzing the Panthers’ current roster, inside linebacker depth likely will be addressed during the offseason.

Three players under contract who could play a major role in 2025:

• Jewell: An eight-year veteran, he will be expected to lead – and remain the primary play caller – for what is expected to be a new-look 3-4 defense. In 12 games, he compiled 97 tackles, two forced fumbles and one interception.

• Wallace: A third-round 2024 draft pick, he was thrust into the starting lineup when Thompson went down and into an early play-calling role with Jewell sidelined.

Before missing the final three games, Wallace endured typical first-year hiccups, but registered 64 total tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles.

• Windmon: The former Michigan State standout created a role, first on special teams, then the starting lineup, over the second half of 2024. He finished with 22 tackles and showed a pass-rushing knack, creating 1.5 sacks.
Chandler Wooten and Cherelus also have experience at the position.

Fourth on Panthers' all-time tackles list

By allowing Thompson to walk, the Panthers freed $3.3 million in salary-cap space, improving spending budget to approximately $23.9 million, according to Sportrac.com. Morgan will likely remain focused on additional moves to strengthen the team’s financial standing in free agency.

Thompson, who will turn 31 in April, appeared in just six games the past two seasons. He suffered a broken fibula during his second start in 2023. The previous season, the five-time team captain posted a career-high 135 tackles.  

“These two injuries were fluky,” Thompson said. “Everyone knows about the one last year and about this one this year, of course there was nothing I could do. But it happened.”

Thompson departs fourth on the franchise’s all-time tackle list (741), trailing Luke Kuechly (1,092), Thomas Davis (1,077) and Mike Minter (771). 

Morgan credited Thompson to being “a source of passion and enthusiasm. He was committed to this organization on and off the field.”

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