AN NFL star will not be returning to a team that he has repped for a decade.
The former first-round pick has made $71.5 million in his career and will now look to sign with a new NFL organization with free agency approaching next month.
On Monday, the Carolina Panthers announced they told veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson that he won’t be back with the franchise in the 2025 season.
The 30-year-old Thompson will become a free agent for the first time in his career.
“We appreciate Shaq’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons,” Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said in a statement.
“Always a source of passion and enthusiasm, he was committed to this organization on and off the field, poured into his teammates, and strived to bring out the best in them.
“We wish Shaq the best as he moves forward with his career.”
NFL fans were stunned at the Panthers’ decision to move on from the team’s mainstay on defense.
“Unbelievably heartbroken over this,” one wrote.
“Damn man,” another commented.
“Not how I envisioned my Monday starting,” a third added.
Thompson played in only six games the past two seasons due to season-ending injuries
He suffered a broken fibula in 2023 and a torn Achilles in 2024.
Thompson entered the league in the 2015 NFL Draft as the Panthers’ No. 25 pick.
He was part of the Super Bowl 50 team in his rookie campaign.
Thompson was a five-time captain for Carolina and recorded a career-high 135 tackles in 2022.
He will be No. 4 on the team’s al-time tackle list with 741.
Thompson had revealed last month that he wanted remain with the Panthers’ that has had seven straight losing campaigns.
“Yeah, I want to end my career here,” he said. “Be one of those guys in history that played with one team.
“But it’s up to them. These two injuries … it happens.
“All I can do [is] get better and come back strong.”
