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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 07: Samaje Perine #34 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Shaq Thompson #45 of the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at Highmark Stadium on December 07, 2025 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
The Buffalo Bills could be getting a key player of their defense back for the next season.
The team has undergone some significant changes after firing head coach Sean McDermott and installing Jim Leonhard as the new defensive coordinator. They have cut ties with some longtime veterans in the name of saving cap space, but could see one unexpected star return to fill an important hole.
Shaq Thompson Teases Return to Buffalo
The Bills found a gem in linebacker Shaq Thompson, who came to Buffalo after spending the first 10 seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers. Though he appeared in only six combined games between the 2023 and 2023 seasons, Thompson moved into a key role with the Bills.
He appeared in 12 games with six starts, making 56 total tackles with 1.0 sacks, two passes defensed, and one forced fumble.
Thompson hit free agency after his one-year contract ended, and a fan asked on social media whether he might return to the Bills.
“Hey Shaq, let’s run it back in Buffalo! Have they been in contact?” the person shared in a post on X.
Days later, Thompson responded and said he was working on a return to Buffalo.
“Trying to,” Thompson replied.
The Bills under general manager Brandon Beane have shown an affinity for their own players, often bringing them back in free agency and after stints with other teams. Thompson said last year when signing with Buffalo that he wanted the chance to play again under McDermott, who was Carolina’s defensive coordinator at the start of Thompson’s career.
Bills Advised to Re-Sign Shaq Thompson
While it’s not clear if Thompson is working on a new deal with the Bills, some analysts believe he should be a high priority for the team in free agency. SI.com’s Alex Brasky suggested that he would be a logical replacement for linebacker Matt Milano, who also hit free agency.
Brasky noted that Thompson grew into one of the team’s most reliable linebackers last season.
“In fact, by season’s end, Thompson was widely considered the better option than his teammate, particularly when defending against the run,” Brasky wrote. “The soon-to-be 32-year-old made six starts for the Bills a year ago, recording 56 tackles, six tackles for loss and a sack. He appeared in 12 total games and was on the field for 59% of the team’s defensive snaps.”
Brasky added that Thompson could be an affordable addition.
“Thompson would likely be a low-cost signing for the Bills, as Spotrac has his projected average annual value at $2.3 million,” Brasky wrote. “That would fit with Buffalo’s position against the salary cap, as it is currently about $13M under the cap with about a month remaining until the 2026 NFL Draft.”
The Bills have already lost some key defensive players from last season, releasing safety Taylor Rapp and cornerback Dane Jackson, while trading nickel cornerback Taron Johnson to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The team has also made some additions, signing safeties Geno Stone and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and edge rusher Bradley Chubb. Some analysts expect the Bills to use their first-round draft pick on a defensive player as well, with pass rush floated as an option.
Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty
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