Carolina Panthers will not retain Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers have informed Shaq Thompson that they plan on going in a different direction and will allow him to enter free agency in March.

It’s sad but not terribly surprising news. After eight sturdy, durable years, Thompson’s body seemed to give out on him. He only played in six games over the last two seasons. Both ended with catastrophic injuries—a broken fibula in 2023 and a torn Achilles tendon in 2024. His injuries, age, and declining play make for a player that doesn’t fit what the Panthers are trying to build right now.

It ends a 10 year Panthers career for the former first round pick. He was brought in as an understudy to Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis and eventually became…