When the Carolina Panthers allowed Shaq Thompson to leave in free agency, there was a tinge of sadness.
He was one of the last remaining figures from the team's run to the Super Bowl in 2015. Thompson was also deeply respected among the fan base and in the locker room, setting high standards and serving as a strong community presence throughout his decade-long tenure in Charlotte.
But general manager Dan Morgan doesn't let sentiment influence his decision-making. Unfortunately, the broken leg and torn Achilles that blighted Thompson's final two years eventually saw the Panthers go in a different direction.