Panthers sign LB Thompson to 4-year extension

The Carolina Panthers signed linebacker Shaq Thompson to a four-year extension worth a reported $54.2 million, including $28 million guaranteed, on Saturday afternoon. Thompson, 25, is in his fifth season with Carolina, which selected him in the first round (No. 25 overall) of the 2015 NFL draft. The Washington product has a career-high 93 tackles to go along with three sacks in 12 games this season.

The deal keeps Thompson under contract with the Panthers through the 2023 season. He was set to become a free agent during the offseason. "Shaq is our type of person and our type of player," general manager Marty Hurney said in a statement. "He's proven that he can play linebacker at a very high level, and he's got all the traits you want. He's smart, he's physical, he can run and he's very versatile. He fits the blueprint for what we want at the position."

ESPN's Adam Schefter first reported the terms of the deal. The contract includes a $16 million signing bonus. --Field Level Media