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David Newton
Charlotte, NC-while the internal supporter Shaq Thompson spoke with the media for the last time before the players broke for the low season, you could see a photograph of the former large part of the Carolina Panthers Thomas Davis Mr. Well.
The symbolism talked a lot about where the 10 -year -old veteran’s career is.
Thompson is one of the 21 Carolina players who will become free agents without restrictions. Few, if any, provide management with a more complex decision.
Like Davis, the main tacle of all the team’s time, Thompson wants to finish his career with Carolina. However, Davis was not signed after the 2018 season because the Panthers wanted to take a look at the youngest players, specifically Thompson, who now has 2024 Third Round Selection Trevin Wallace looking at his shoulder.
The injuries have played an important role in Thompson’s career, as they have done with Davis. Thompson has played six games in the last two seasons, which ended by an injury to the right ankle of week 2 in 2023 and a right lesion of the Achilles tendon in four games last season. Davis was the first NFL player to return successfully three correct ACL surgeries.
Like Davis, age is a factor for Thompson. He will be 31 years in April. Davis was 35 in 2019.
“It would be a blessing to finish my career here,” Thompson said earlier this month. “But it depends on them, how they see me or see me, if I am part of the future or not.”
Many of the other free agents of Carolina would like to be part of the future. Apart from JJ Jansen, none of the lengths, none is so entrenched in Carolina’s history in Thompson.
It was a rookie first round (No. 25 in general) in 2015 when Carolina had a better NFL 15-1 record and reached the Super Bowl 50, losing 24-10 against the Denver Broncos.
He thought that the team’s success was a fact then, but it has been the opposite. The only winning season of Carolina since 2017 was when it was 11-5. Now there have been seven consecutive lost seasons, including 5-12 in 2024.
But Thompson hopes that a strong end under the chief coach of the first year NFL, Dave Canales, is the beginning of change, and wants to be part of him.
“Canales really has something good,” said Thompson. “The boys were just buying in the second half [of the season]. We know we were better than we were in the first [half]. We just discover it. ”
Discovering if Thompson should be part of the immediate future is an important decision for General Manager Dan Morgan, who must rebuild a defense that ended for the last time in the NFL.
A healthy Thompson and Derrick Brown, the defensive liner of the Pro Bowl who suffered a knee injury that ended the season in the first game, could be the place to begin. Brown is 26 years old and under contract, after signing an extension of four years and $ 96 million in April, so the commitment to him is there.
Thompson exceeded 100 cup from 2019 to 2022 when he is healthy, including the best 135 of the team in 2022. Thompson is likely to take a friendly treatment for the team. He took a salary cut before last season that reduced his base salary from $ 3.1 million to $ 1.7 million and released $ 3 million in capitalization space, and restructured his agreement in 2022 to clarify $ 5 million in space.
Brown, for example, would like to see Thompson back.
“We have many pieces now, but obviously bring to the guys that can help and make the boys greet them help,” he said.
Thompson recently showed a video of himself running on a running tape. He hopes to be ready to return to the field before July no later than June.
It is the question if it will be in the field with the Panthers or other team.
“I really don’t know the answer,” said Thompson. “The most important thing at this time is to concentrate on getting healthy. Chips will fall where they fall. ”
As for the other 20 panthers that are eligible to become free agents without restrictions, here is the probability that each one will sign again:
QB Andy Dalton: Likely. It has been fundamental in the growth of Bryce Young. His relationship is strong, and he is still able to win games.
C Austin Corbett: Unlikely. He wants to go to a team where the unquestionable headline is, and Carolina has a younger and cheaper option in Cade Mays.
Ol Brady Christensen: Unlikely. He was invaluable as the sixth man, but has shown that he can be a holder, so he will get more money elsewhere.
Tommy tremble: Likely. The second year player Ja’tavion Sanders is the future, but Trember is a proven taxpayer.
You Thomas: Unlikely. Being the best closed block of the equipment will not be enough to maintain your job.
TE FELEIPE Franks: Maybe. It should be an affordable option.
WR David Moore: Likely. A low -cost veteran who has been with channels in Seattle, Tampa Bay and Carolina.
RB Mike Boone: Unlikely. It was not the return when the Season of Chuba Hubbard ended and the team needs to update the depth.
De Deshawn Williams: Unlikely. He had only 16 cup and half capture for a defense that was last classified in the NFL.
OLB CAM GILL: Unlikely. It could be maintained for depth, but this defense will obtain a review, particularly in OLB.
CB Michael Jackson: Likely. Carolina wants to update with Jaycee Horn, but Jackson played well enough to obtain another agreement.
CB Caleb Farley: Maybe. The former first round showed some promise and wants to remain close to home, so it could offer depth with an affordable contract.
S XAVIER WOODS: Unlikely. His unnecessary roughness penalties were accumulating, so don’t be surprised by an update here.
S Jordan Fuller: Maybe. But the Panthers have a younger player in Demani Richardson, they want to see.
S Nick Scott: Maybe. He knows the system, but he could be a victim in the defensive updates of the Panthers.
S SAM Franklin Jr.: Likely. He is a key member of special equipment.
S lonnie Johnson Jr.: Unlikely. Another player who could move forward as part of the defensive updates.
P Johnny Hekker: Maybe. He is a veteran proven but occupied the 29th position in Yardas per clearance (45.7) and 17 in net yards per clearance (41.5), so it will depend on the price.
K Eddy Pineiro: Unlikely. Carolina did not pay him what he wanted last year, and held the 22nd position in percentage of field goals (84.6%).
FS JJ JANSEN: Likely. At 39, it is still one of the best in business.
