The Carolina Panthers are giving linebacker Shaq Thompson a four-year, $54.2 million extension that includes $28 million guaranteed, agent Doug Hendrickson told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Saturday.

Hendrickson said the deal has a max value of $57 million and contains a $16 million signing bonus.

Thompson, 25, has three sacks in 12 games this season. The first-round pick out of Washington has 9.5 career sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception.

"Shaq is our type of person and our type of player," general manager Marty Hurney said in a statement announcing the extension. "He's proven that he can play linebacker at a very high level, and he's got all the traits you want. He's smart, he's physical, he can run and he's very versatile. He fits the blueprint for what we want at the position."

The move keeps Thompson from hitting the free-agent market after the season. He is now under contract through the 2023 season.