Panthers veteran LB Thomas Davis mentioned during an interview with WFNZ that while there currently isn’t any talks with Carolina about an extension, he’s still hoping to have an agreement in place before the start of training camp.
“That’s something all players in the last year of their deal, especially for guys who have put up the numbers I’ve put up and played the way I’ve played the last few years, you’d hope something get worked out,” Davis said. “We’re not actively talking now, but hopefully we can do something before training camp happens.”
Davis made it clear that he plans to play beyond the 2017 season and is hoping to finish out his career in Carolina.
“From a football standpoint and a community standpoint, Charlotte is always going to be home for me, and that’s my mindset,” Davis said. “I feel like there are a lot of people within our organization who feel the same way about me. But at the end of the day, it is a business and I understand that. Whatever happens moving forward there won’t be any hard feelings from me. But I definitely plan on extending my career beyond this year.
“Hopefully that would never come to fruition with me that I would have to play for another team. That’s not something that I look to do. And hopefully we can get something worked out here soon in terms of a contract extension. I don’t think you’ll find a player who cares more about the organization or a team than I do the Carolina Panthers. It goes above and beyond being a football player. I totally embrace the ‘Keep Pounding’ motto and it’s part of my lifestyle and everything I do.”
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.
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