Linebacker Shaq Thompson's time with the Carolina Panthers is over, as the team informed its former first-round pick it would not be re-signing him, allowing Thompson to explore his options in free agency.

The sight of Thompson in a bucket hat instead of a helmet is an all-too-familiar one as the veteran linebacker has played in a total of six games in the last two seasons. Carolina's historically porous defense needs consistent contributors, not burgeoning question marks.