Early Monday morning, Adam Schefter broke the first big news of the week involving the Carolina Panthers and one of their long-time players, linebacker Shaq Thompson. After ten seasons with the Panthers, Schefter reported that the Panthers informed Thompson that they would be going in a different direction and Thompson would not be brought back to Carolina.
Thompson was drafted by the Panthers in the first round (25th overall) in 2015 out of Washington. In the last decade, Thompson has racked up 752 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 26 pass deflections, 4 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries, and 12 sacks.
One of Thompson’s downsides is that he only has one season of playing in every single game. Injuries have played a factor throughout his career, especially the last two seasons. From 2023-2024, Thompson has only played in six games. That must have played a huge factor in Carolina moving on from him. However, he was a highly productive player in Carolina that could serve as great depth for the Bills.
Will the Bills and Panthers connection continue on with LB Shaq Thompson?
Ever since Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott came to Buffalo from Carolina, there have been numerous amounts of free agent signings that involve players who have played for both organizations, and they also have worked out a couple of trades too.
Thompson played under McDermott’s defensive scheme from 2015-2016 so there is familiarity there. Playing as part of one of the league’s best defense in 2015 that helped the Panthers reach the Super Bowl, Thompson has that experience to bring to the Bills.
Buffalo already has Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano as their starters in the middle of the defense. However, adding depth to a defense that fell apart down the stretch in the season and then in the conference championship.
It seems like we are always searching for the Buffalo-Carolina connection. We probably will see it at some point and it could very well happen with Thompson. With him hitting free agency for the first time in his career, Thompson has an opportunity to get out of an organization that is in a rebuild and join a team that can win the Super Bowl now. He should strongly consider playing for the coach that helped start his career with the Panthers.