Shaq Thompson: Steve Wilks is bringing back what the Carolina Panthers used to be

There’s a much different feel to the Carolina Panthers ever since Steve Wilks took over. And that feel, according to man that’s been through quite a bit with this franchise, is an awfully familiar one.

Following Thursday’s practice, linebacker Shaq Thompson spoke about Wilks’ undeniable impact on the team here in 2022. He told reporters that his interim head coach getting the Panthers back to being, well, the Panthers.

“I think the biggest thing is, Wilks is bringing back what the Carolina Panthers used to be,” Thompson said. “The philosophy what used to be around here, especially on defense. Since I’ve been here—it’s always been fast, physical and creating turnovers.

“The defense that get off the ball, the linebackers were downhill and the DBs—they catch interceptions. So I think they’re starting to instill that and guys are starting to understand what the history around here used to be. And I think that’s the biggest thing that these young guys and new guys need to understand.”

Thompson, the organization’s 2015 first-round pick, has played each of his eight seasons in Carolina. He’s seen the ups and downs over that time—ranging anywhere from the 15-1 Super Bowl team to the, uh, recent woes from the Matt Rhule regime.

Plus, he’s already worked with Wilks, who was with the team from 2012 to 2017. So if Thompson—the second-longest tenured Panther—is getting some good flashbacks, then they’re probably pretty spot on.