Panthers pick up 5th year of LB Shaq Thompson’s contract

Carolina Panthers' Shaq Thompson (54) signs an autograph before practice. (Chuck Burton/AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Panthers have exercised the fifth-year option on outside linebacker Shaq Thompson’s contract.

Thompson is now under contract through the 2019 season.

Thompson started 14 games and had a career-high 75 tackles with six quarterback pressures and two sacks last season. Thompson is viewed as the long-term replacement for 13-year NFL veteran Thomas Davis, who may retire after next season.

The 2015 first-round draft pick from Washington has 206 tackles, three sacks, one interception, eight passes defenced and two fumble recoveries in three NFL seasons.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.