4 Panthers players who could be on the trade block in 2021
By Dean Jones
Shaq Thompson – Carolina Panthers OLB
Shaq Thompson brought his game on steadily as the season progressed. But there could be some speculation surrounding the outside linebacker’s future this offseason.
The former first-round pick is due for a lofty pay increase in 2021 as part of the new deal he signed with the Carolina Panthers. Thompson’s base salary will go up from $4.4 million to a little more than $10 million next year, which will elevate to $12.36 million on the final year of his contract in 2023.
This represents a problem for the Panthers, which is down in no small part to the salary-cap coming down due to COVID-19 revenue losses across the league. Sacrifices need to be made by those who didn’t plan for such an eventuality and if the powers that be decide Thompson isn’t worth this sort of financial commitment, it might come with the team exploring trade avenues for the player.
Thompson finished the season with 114 tackles, two quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, five passes defended, and three pressure. He gave up a 74 percent completion on targets thrown his way, missed eight tackles, and attained a poor 51.6 grade from Pro Football Focus as a result of his efforts.
While it would leave a big hole to fill both on the field and within the locker room, if the Panthers got an adequate offer from another team willing to take on Thompson’s contract, they’d be foolish not to at least explore the possibility.