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March 4 (UPI) -- Veteran linebacker Thomas Davis, who was released this week by the Washington Football Team, plans to sign a one-day contract so he can retire with the Carolina Panthers, the three-time Pro Bowl selection said. Davis announced the move Wednesday on social media.
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"The time has finally come and I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting me along this journey," Davis wrote for the caption on the post. "The Washington Football Team has agreed to release me so that on March 11th, I will officially be returning to the place that my heart has been all along.
"By signing a one day contract, I will retire from the NFL as a Carolina Panther. Panthers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for this opportunity."
Davis, 37, announced last off-season that he planned for the 2020 campaign to be his final NFL season. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Washington last March.
The 2015 All-Pro and 2014 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner entered the league as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Davis spent his first 14 seasons with the Panthers. He played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019.
Davis had 1,216 total tackles, 90 tackles for a loss, 55 passes defensed, 29 sacks, 18 forced fumbles, 13 interceptions, 11 fumble recoveries and scored one touchdown in 199 games during his decorated NFL tenure.
He is the Panthers' all-time leader in total tackles (1,258) and solo tackles (789). He also has the most games played (258) for a defensive player in franchise history.
