Shaq Thompson: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Key Buffalo Bills defender sidelined at Thursday’s practice

Injuries have been an issue for the Buffalo Bills this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They've seen key players such as DaQuan Jones, Matt Milano, and Ed Oliver all miss time, with Oliver recently heading to the IR.

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Shaq Thompson downgraded to DNP on Thursday's practice report

The Bills had two changes among their injured players on their practice report. Linebacker Shaq Thompson (hamstring) took a step back on Thursday, not practicing after limited work on Wednesday.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / October 23

Buffalo Bills' surprise star LB has lasting impact on team's Week 8 foe

The Buffalo Bills’ connection to their Week 8 foe, the Carolina Panthers, runs deep. Head Coach Sean McDermott and General Manager Brandon Beane each made their bones in Carolina, while a list of players on the team’s roster have also spent time with the Panthers in the past.

NFL News / Buffalo Bills on SI / October 23

Former Panthers' first-round draft pick feeling 'wanted' since joining Bills

Following back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2023 and 2024, the Carolina Panthers chose to let linebacker Shaq Thompson walk in free agency. While it didn't generate much buzz, the Buffalo Bills were seemingly happy to sign Thompson, and the low-risk move is already paying dividends.

Baltimore Ravens News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'NFL passer rating leaders' quiz

How many of the NFL's yearly leaders in passer rating in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) can you name in seven minutes?

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Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / October 18

Overlooked linebacker has been Bills' best free-agent value through six weeks

Joey Bosa has been a solid free-agent addition to the Buffalo Bills' defense, but he hasn't necessarily been the best value pickup. While Bosa's production has been in line with the $12.6 million he's set to earn this season, he hasn't been half of the bargain that veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson has shown to be through the first six weeks.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Which NFL players are the most interesting trade candidates?

The NFL trade deadline looms in early November, and several teams with seller profiles have emerged. Here are the top candidates to be traded before that point.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / October 11

Initial afterthought shaping up to be Buffalo Bills' best free-agent signing

When the Buffalo Bills signed former Carolina Panthers' first-round linebacker Shaq Thompson on June 10, it was met with a lot of laughs and scoffs by Bills' fans, who are getting tired of the Carolina connection.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / September 30

'Football player' Shaq Thompson gives Bills' young LBs chance to 'watch' and 'learn'

Buffalo Bills' third-year linebacker Dorian Williams still has plenty of learning to do. Filling in for an injured Matt Milano in the September 28 win over the New Orleans Saints, Williams looked lethargic and confused while missing multiple tackles.

NFL News / Buffalo Bills on SI / August 21

Bills 'lucky to have' ex-Panthers' first-round linebacker trying to revive career

It's been nine years, but the Buffalo Bills' connection to former Carolina Panthers' players remains alive. Since head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane came to the Bills from Carolina in 2017, they have brought in a number of familiar faces from their days with the Panthers.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / July 21

Bills predicted to cut ties with veteran free-agent signing before he plays a snap

The Buffalo Bills have some question marks at the linebacker position, but that might not be enough for one of their recent veteran free-agent signings to make the 53-man roster, one analyst says.

Baltimore Ravens News / Baltimore Ravens on SI / July 12

Ravens Named Destination for Former First-Round Pick

The Baltimore Ravens are expected to field one of the best defenses in the NFL this season following their strong finish a year ago, and some believe they're not done adding to it, either.

NFL News / Carolina Panthers on SI / June 29

Bills predicted to cut former Panthers great before 2025 NFL season even begins

Shaq Thompson had a good run with the Carolina Panthers, putting in 123 games over 10 years. While he never made a Pro Bowl team or led the league in tackles, Thompson played his spot at a pretty high level far longer than the average NFL player's career lasts.

NFL News / Yardbarker

2026 first-round NFL mock draft: Three QBs in the top 10

With the month of September in the books, both the top college prospects and 2026 NFL draft order are coming into focus. Here's a look at our latest first-round NFL mock draft as of October 13, 2025.

NFL Draft intel: Five prospects on the rise — including Ole Miss' Trinidad Chambliss

Preseason evaluations of Garrett Nussmeier, Cade Klubnik were a huge miss for NFL Draft 'experts'

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / June 28

Buffalo Bills predicted to release playmaking LB in 53-man roster prediction

Needing more depth at linebacker, the Buffalo Bills recently signed Shaq Thompson to a one-year deal. Thompson joins Buffalo with plenty of experience under Sean McDermott.

Buffalo Bills News / Athlon Sports / June 12

Former Panther Joins Bills in NFL Move That Feels Familiar

For a decade, Shaq Thompson was the heartbeat of the Carolina Panthers’ defense. He was a steady force, a leader in the locker room, and a fan favorite.

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NFL News / Athlon Sports / June 11

Shaq Thompson Reveals Major Factor In Bills Decision

Shaq Thompson spent the first 10 years of his career with the Carolina Panthers. When the team released him back in February, not only was there uncertainty

NFL News / Buffalo Bills on SI / June 11

Shaq Thompson signing could spell end for Bills fourth-year linebacker

The Buffalo Bills did very little this offseason at the linebacker position, leading up to the start of mandatory minicamp this week. They didn't sign any new linebackers at the beginning of free agency, nor did they draft anyone at the position.

NFL News / Field Level Media / June 10

LB Shaq Thompson signs with Bills, reunites with Sean McDermott

The Buffalo Bills bolstered their defensive corps on Tuesday by signing linebacker Shaq Thompson to a one-year contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed for Thompson, who will be reunited with head coach Sean McDermott.

NFL News / NFLTradeRumors.co / June 10

Bills Sign LB Shaq Thompson To One-Year Deal

The Buffalo Bills announced they have signed former Panthers LB Shaq Thompson to a one-year deal. Thompson, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2015.

Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / February 24

End of an Era as Panthers Part Ways with Shaq Thompson

For the first time in a decade, the Carolina Panthers will enter a season without Shaq Thompson anchoring their defense. The team announced Monday that the veteran linebacker, a cornerstone of the franchise since 2015, will be released and allowed to explore free agency.

Carolina Panthers News / Field Level Media / February 24

Panthers moving on from veteran LB Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers will not re-sign veteran outside linebacker Shaq Thompson, allowing the former first-round draft pick to enter free agency. "We appreciate Shaq's leadership and dedication over the past 10 seasons, general manager Dan Morgan said in a statement Monday.

Carolina Panthers News / NFLTradeRumors.co / February 24

Panthers Moving On From LB Shaq Thompson

The Carolina Panthers announced they have informed LB Shaq Thompson he can enter free agency as they are moving in a different direction. Thompson has played just six games over the last two years due to injuries but he expressed his desire to retire in Carolina earlier this offseason.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / January 15

Two AFC powerhouses predicted to lure Shaq Thompson away from the Panthers

Once the league year ends in March, Carolina Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson will be a free agent. He's expressed a desire to stay with the team that selected him in the first round in 2015, but they may have other paths they'd like to go down, especially after drafting linebacker Tevin Wallace in 2024.