Seven months ago, Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis seemed ready to call time on his 14-year NFL career. Although, he seemingly had a change of heart following his PED suspension, which will see him miss the first four games of the season.
But as Davis enters training camp next week, the 35-year-old will come with the mindset that this could very well be his last one ever.
“I’m definitely going into it with a very different mindset,” Davis said per Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer. “Because when you think about my situation and going into this season and this potentially being my last season based on whatever happens moving forward.”
Davis adds that since he’ll miss the first four games of the year, he plans to make the most of this chance to be around his teammates while he still can.
“Obviously you guys know my situation,” Davis said after warming up on the driving range. “So this is going to be my opportunity to be around my teammates and really bond and really get that sense of (camaraderie) that you build during training camp. We’re going to have a good time with it.”
Shaq Thompson is set to step in for Davis while the veteran serves his four-game suspension. It’ll give the Panthers a preview of what their defense will be like without Davis, if he retires or if they decide to move on from him.
While Davis remains a capable performer at age 35, the Panthers may opt not to bring him back when his contract expires at the end of this season and hand over the reins to the younger Thompson.
But it doesn't sound as if Davis will be too worried about his future just yet and will instead focus on going out and enjoying the company of his teammates in camp next week.
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