Panthers: The Positive of Thomas Davis’ Suspension

Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was suspended for violating the NFL’s PED policy. However, there is some good to this.

What seemed to the most reliable linebacking core in the NFL has suddenly been shaken to the core with the suspension of Thomas Davis. The veteran linebacker of the Carolina Panthers tested positive for banned substances and received a four-game suspension to begin the 2018 season. Despite the obvious downside of lacking one of the most consistent linebackers in the NFL, there are some positives to Thomas’ suspension.

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Shaq Thompson

The plan with Shaq Thompson seems to be to let him sit behind Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis to soak up as much knowledge as possible before Davis retired. After Davis’ retirement, Shaq would be put into the starting role to compliment Kuechly.

The Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff and fans will now be able to study Thompson as he is set to start for at least 4 weeks. During this time, the staff will be able to better evaluate his skill set and adjust accordingly. After all, it is likely that Thompson will be the Panthers’ starting linebacker after Davis’ retirement.

Possible Davis Return

Thomas Davis informed the Panthers’ fan base through a tweet of his suspension.

During Thomas’ video, he mentioned the possibility that his retirement plans could be delayed due to his suspension.

If Davis plans on playing another year, he would have to ink a new contract his current one ends after the upcoming 2018 season. Luckily, the Panthers have thrived off of short-term, low-cost veteran signings (Julius Peppers, Jared Allen, etc.). The Panthers should have no problem in structuring a short, cheap deal in order to accommodate Davis’ shifting retirement plans.

Next: Panthers: Is Memphis WR Anthony Miller a viable option?

NFL Culture

In the grand scheme of things, the suspension of such a high profile, respectable player helps setting the culture of the NFL. No one player is above the policies that the NFL has set in place, and it helps to remind the players and fans of that.