Shaq Thompson is officially back with the Buffalo Bills, as the team has signed the veteran linebacker to their practice squad. This move comes after Thompson spent the entire offseason as an unrestricted free agent, but his connection to the Bills has remained strong.
In a statement reflecting on his return, Thompson expressed his desire to be part of the Bills organization, stating, "I wanted to be a Bill. I wanted to play football. I wanted to be around these guys. When you come to work every day and everybody has the same mindset... They make work fun. They make the building fun. The atmosphere is fun. Just brothers. It’s more than just football players coming together. It’s a true family here." His enthusiasm highlights the camaraderie within the team, which is crucial for a successful season.
At 32 years old, Thompson did not participate in the offseason training activities, training camp, or preseason games, indicating that he will need some time to regain his football conditioning. However, the Bills are well aware of his capabilities on the field. Last season, Thompson played in 12 games, starting six, and was a key contributor to the defense. He finished the season ranked seventh on the team with 56 tackles, despite battling hamstring and neck injuries. Additionally, he recorded six tackles for loss, one sack, and forced a fumble, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways.
Thompson's performance in the playoffs was particularly noteworthy. He intercepted a pass during the Bills' wild-card victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars and led the team with eight tackles in that game. He followed that up with five tackles, including two for loss, in the divisional round against the Denver Broncos. His playoff experience adds valuable depth to the Bills' linebacker corps.
The Bills currently have Terrel Bernard anchoring their defense at middle linebacker, but the depth behind him consists of younger players such as Dorian Williams, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, and Joe Andreessen. With Thompson now on the practice squad, Buffalo has a reliable veteran option available should any of these players struggle or if injuries arise throughout the season.
This strategy of utilizing the practice squad to bring back experienced players is not new for the Bills. Last season, they successfully re-signed several veterans who had not been with the team during training camp, including safety Jordan Poyer and wide receiver Gabe Davis. Thompson now finds himself in a similar situation, with the opportunity to work his way back into the active lineup as he gets back into playing shape.
Thompson's journey in the NFL began when he was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 25th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent the first ten seasons of his career in Carolina, where he accumulated 808 tackles, 13 sacks, three interceptions, and five forced fumbles across 135 games. His prior connection with the Bills' front office, particularly with general manager Brandon Beane and former head coach Sean McDermott, played a significant role in his initial signing with Buffalo last year.
As the Bills prepare for the upcoming season, Thompson's experience and skill set will be an asset, providing them with additional security in their linebacker position.
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