5 Carolina Panthers players who likely played their final game with the team
By Dean Jones
Shaq Thompson – Carolina Panthers LB
Now the undisputed leader within the Carolina Panthers locker room, Shaq Thompson quietly put together another outstanding season in 2022. His 135 tackles were a career-high and the fourth-straight year where he’d reached triple figures, which is a fine accomplishment all things considered.
Thompson has been more vocal than most about his desire for Steve Wilks to become permanent head coach beyond 2022. However, there’s a good chance that the former Washington star might not be around to see out the last year of his mammoth contract.
This has nothing to do with Thompson’s production. His switch onto the second-level interior was smooth, improving communication and discipline from a position that’s been crying out for stability since Luke Kuechly retired.
If it were on performance levels alone, Thompson would be leading the defense once again in 2023. However, things are rarely that simple in the NFL.
The 2015 first-round selection is set to count $24.46 million against the cap next season. This is not feasible in Carolina’s current flux, which might make Thompson a salary-cap casualty when it’s all said and done.
Cutting Thompson would save $13.16 million on their cap. Unless sentiment takes over or a short-term extension is arranged, then we might have seen the last of him in Carolina.