4 Carolina Panthers contracts that must be restructured this offseason

Shaq Thompson – Carolina Panthers OLB

• 2022 cap hit – $18.17 million

It was hard to look at Shaq Thompson‘s situation heading into the 2021 season with anything other than uncertainty. The outside linebacker was inconsistent at best during the previous campaign and a huge turnaround was needed to cement his status on the Carolina Panthers moving forward.

Thankfully for the player and the Panthers, Thompson put together arguably his best season since joining the team as a first-round pick. He looked far more comfortable in a leadership role and came up with some impressive performances with a consistency that was much improved.

With that being said, there is still the small matter of Thompson’s $18.17 million cap number to consider this offseason. That is a lot of money to be paying any outside linebacker, so a potential restructure is something that could keep all parties happy.

This gives the Panthers a little more breathing space where Thompson is concerned. There is also a potential out on his deal in 2023 if the Washington product displays any sort of regression on the penultimate year of his deal.

Thompson is one of the last remaining roster members from the 2015 NFL Championship team. It would be wise for the Panthers to keep him around next season and let the chips fall where they may thereafter.