The Carolina Panthers entered the offseason with $28.5 million in cap space. The team freed up cap space by trading Donte Jackson to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Brian Burns to the New York Giants, releasing Vonn Bell, Bradley Bozeman, and Hayden Hurst, and restructuring the contract of their linebacker.
The Carolina Panthers restructured the contract of their linebacker
Carolina and Shaq Thompson agreed to a 1-year, $3.19 million restructured contract with $1.7 million guaranteed, freeing up about $3 million in cap space.
As a result, his base salary dropped to $1.21 million, and his cap hit dropped to $3.19 million for 2024.
Finally, he will leave behind $4.2 million in dead cap for 2025, as he will be an unrestricted free agent.
Shaq Thompson signed a 4-year extension during the 2019 season
Carolina and Thompson agreed to a 4-year, $54.43 million contract extension on December 7, 2019, making him an unrestricted free agent in 2024.
Thompson played in 14 games, starting 14 in 2019, and had 109 tackles, 11 for a loss, four QB hits, three sacks, and three pass deflections.
Thompson played in 16 games, starting 15 in 2020, and had 114 tackles, six for a loss, two QB hits, five pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.
Thompson played in 14 games, starting 13 in 2021, and had 104 tackles, nine for a loss, six QB hits, two sacks, two interceptions, and five pass deflections.
Thompson played in 17 games, starting 17 in 2022, and had 135 tackles, eight for a loss, three QB hits, 0.5 sacks, and four pass deflections.
He signed an extension during the 2023 offseason.
Shaq Thompson agreed to a contract extension in 2023
Carolina and Thompson agreed to a 2-year, $12.6 million extension on March 11, 2023.
Thompson played in two games, starting two in 2023, and had eight tackles. He suffered a season-ending broken right leg in Week 2.
Who will be the other starting linebacker?
Carolina signed Josey Jewell to a 3-year, $22.75 million contract this offseason, and he will line up with Thompson next season for the inside linebacker position.
Where will the Carolina Panthers’ defense rank next season?
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