Carolina Panthers fans experienced the official end to an era on Tuesday.
Tight end Ian Thomas is moving on, as the 28-year-old veteran signed with the Las Vegas Raiders this afternoon. The change of scenery will be the first for Thomas, who spent each of his first seven NFL seasons in Carolina.
The Panthers selected the Indiana University product in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. He’s since gone on to total 119 receptions for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns over 99 games with the organization.
Thomas, entering the 2024 campaign was the fourth-longest tenured Panther. Only long snapper JJ Jansen (16 seasons), linebacker Shaq Thompson (10 seasons) and offensive tackle Taylor Moton (eight seasons) had been around in Charlotte longer.
So, how are Panthers fans taking the news?
Here are some of their reactions to Thomas’ departure . . .
The Ian Thomas thing is so fascinating because I always thought he needed to sit for a year and Greg Olsen’s injury forced him to the field too early.
If you look at his rookie year, he looks like a whole different athlete. Somewhere along the line someone told him to become a…
— Unnecessary Bluntness Owner/Coach/QB (@DuncOnDemand) March 25, 2025
— Ci🌞 (@PanthersCi) March 25, 2025
He robbed and plundered #Panthers QB’s of various passing stats for the better part of 7 years.
And now? He’s a Raider 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/dwRk0daHDm
— Keep Purring Podcast (Ben) (@KeepPurringBen) March 25, 2025
I saw Ian Thomas and got scared https://t.co/SxTqqI5JjCpic.twitter.com/2nsYVtsDZI
— TK Felton (@TK_Felton) March 25, 2025
THROW SOMETHING IN THE GRILL
PUT YO HAND IN A CASH REGISTER FOR NO REASON https://t.co/8Sfcgou75h
— Himmy Hardaway (@probloescobar) March 25, 2025
God is good 🙏 https://t.co/SPxW3UwOcs
— For Panthers Fans Only (Podcast) (@FPFO_Podcast) March 25, 2025
pic.twitter.com/0Ghc59GziIhttps://t.co/IFRRP7SdrA
— Panthers Culture 🥷🏽 (@PanthersCulture) March 25, 2025
https://t.co/UJG1jXllr8pic.twitter.com/ynZ6B2QXXE
— Panthers On Tap (@PanthersOnTap) March 25, 2025
We beat the Ian Thomas allegations pic.twitter.com/7u7Kn2xHrJ
— Mātt (@itsThatMattDude) March 25, 2025
Raiders got them a baller bruh! I’m so jealous. Wish he was still a Panther. Good luck Ian! https://t.co/20rDieQXqUpic.twitter.com/ghi0nLFkHJ
— Xavier Supreme (SCPP) (@XavierSupreme_) March 25, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: Panthers fans react to TE Ian Thomas’ departure
