Contract Talks Between Panthers & LB Thomas Davis Ongoing

Panthers LB Thomas Davis told reporters that negotiations regarding an extension are ongoing, but added that it’s not something that will happen overnight, per David Newton.

Davis mentioned that he’s happy the organization wants to keep him around beyond this season.

Former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman told Davis that he’s never seen a 34-year-old play like he does, per Newton. Davis added that he would like to play “until I can’t play anymore.”

Last we heard regarding a new deal for Davis, he said the two sides have exchanged contract proposals regarding an extension before the team surprisingly fired Gettleman.

“We had actually engaged in contract talks,” Davis said. “They presented something and we presented something back and we were just in the process of negotiating.”

After the Panthers announced that they had relieved Gettleman of his duties, speculation started circulating that part of the reason for Gettleman’s dismissal could be due to the lack of progress regarding new contract for Davis and TE Greg Olsen.

However, Davis said he finds this speculation disappointing and his situation had nothing to do with the team moving on from Gettleman.

“That’s what you do when you’re dealing with contracts and it’s really sad and disappointing when you hear all the people that’s saying that the reason Mr. Gettleman was released was because of me or Greg,” Davis said. “I think that’s an unfair statement. I think that’s something that you guys are giving us too much credit. We’re not that important in the grand scheme of things and intimately Mr. Richardson made a decision and it’s something that we’re all going to live with.”

Davis, 34, is in the final year of his three-year, $18 million contract that includes $11.5 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salary of $3.25 million for the 2017 season before testing the open market as an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

In 2016, Davis appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers and recorded 106 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, a forced fumble, two recoveries with one being returned for a touchdown and four pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 39 linebacker out of 87 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a new deal for Davis as the news is available.