The legend of Ian Thomas will live on.
According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, the Carolina Panthers are restructuring Thomas’ contract—a move that will keep the 27-year-old tight end on the roster moving forward. 2024 would mark his seventh season with the organization.
Thomas, an Indiana University product, was selected by the Panthers in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. He’s appeared in 94 of a possible 99 games since—having amassed 116 receptions for 1,055 yards and four touchdowns.
Carolina re-signed Thomas on a three-year, $16.9 million deal in February of 2022. As he did in the second season of that pact in 2023, Thomas will likely be taking a pay cut to stick around for the 2024 campaign.
If he does indeed last into the season, Thomas will have played under four different full-time head coaches in Carolina (Ron Rivera, Matt Rhule, Frank Reich and Dave Canales).
The Panthers, additionally, are expected to part ways with a number of fellow veterans including tight end Hayden Hurst, center Bradley Bozeman and cornerback Donte Jackson.
