Panthers Restructure Shaq Thompson's Contract, Clear Cap Space

The veteran linebacker will remain in Carolina.

With two minutes and thirty-five seconds remaining in the opening quarter of the Carolina Panthers' 2023 home opener, veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson was carted off the field.

Thompson got his leg slammed on by New Orleans Saints left tackle Trevor Penning, who was thrown down to the ground by Panthers defensive end Deshawn Williams.

Shaq Thompson injured after being rolled up on pic.twitter.com/Hk4sUHV6Rz

— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) September 18, 2023

That would be the last we saw of Thompson as he was ruled out for the rest of the season with a fractured fibula.

Many wondered if that would also be the last time Thompson took the field in a Panther uniform. 

Saturday morning, Thompson and the Panthers agreed to a reworked contract that will pay the second longest-tenured Panther $3.1 million, clearing roughly $3 million in cap space. The news was first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Media.

Thompson is entering his tenth year with the organization that drafted him 25th overall back in 2015. In his career, Thompson has recorded 717 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, 31 QB hits, 26 passes defended, 12 sacks, and three interceptions. 

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