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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 found a gem in linebacker Shaq Thompson, who quickly became one of the best performers among the group in 2025.
As the Bills continue to shape their defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard, one analyst believes they should seize the chance to bring back the veteran linebacker for another season. Thompson would also come at an affordable price, especially at this point in his career.
Shaq Thompson Could Steady Buffalo’s Defense
SI.com’s Alex Brasky suggested the Bills could use Thompson’s steady presence in the middle of their defense, noting that he particularly strong against the run — an area of weakness for the defense at many points.
Brasky added that Thompson could be logical replacement for Matt Milano, who is expected to depart the Bills in free agency.
“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.”
Thompson’s cost would be the other major selling point for the Bills, Brasky added, with a projected contract that fits well within their constrained cap means.
“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.”
Brasky added that the Bills would already have enough money to add Thompson, even factoring in the cap space they would need to sign draft picks.
Bills Making Changes Under Jim Leonhard
Buffalo’s linebacking corps has already undergone some major overhauls under Leonhard. The team is moving away from former head coach Sean McDermott’s preferred 4-3 base defense to move to a 3-4, which has already resulted in some position changes.
Several of the team’s edge rushers — including Greg Rousseau and Michael Hoecht along with newcomer Bradley Chubb — are now listed by the team as outside linebackers.
As SI.com’s Owen Klein noted, the Bills could also be looking for more out of their inside linebacking group.
“At inside linebacker, there’s one big change for a likely starter with Matt Milano all but gone. Dorian Williams, who’s entering the final season of his rookie contract, is now listed as an inside linebacker,” Klein wrote. “Williams will likely be asked to cover more ground from his new position, something his 4.49-second 40-yard dash speed could allow him to do.”
Leonhard has promised to bring a more aggressive front in his defense, moving away from McDermott’s preferred style that brought few blitzes and aimed to generate pressure with the defensive front.
Leonhard also hinted that the team would center its defense around some of its star players, including cornerback Christian Benford.
“He’s going to be a big leader for this defense, and we’re going to create the scheme around players like that, the known commodities,” Leonhard said. “There are guys that you know are going to be a big piece of this, and there are others that we have to figure out what the right mix of talent and leadership is going to be. But a guy like him, who’s proven who he is, and his value to this roster. Those are the guys in mind when we set this thing up.”