Shaq Thompson: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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And there it is. After more than 4.5 months on the free agent market, veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson is returning to the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are signing the 32-year-old Thompson to a practice squad contract.

Buffalo Bills News / NFLTradeRumors.co / August 31

Bills Plan To Sign LB Shaq Thompson To Practice Squad

The Buffalo Bills have a plan in place to bring LB Shaq Thompson back to Buffalo and join their practice squad, according to Jay Skurski. Thompson, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2015.

Buffalo Bills News / Pro Football Rumors / August 18

Pats Host DaQuan Jones, Shaq Thompson

Defensive tackle DaQuan Jones and linebacker Shaq Thompson held important roles in the Bills’ defense last year, but both players have gone unsigned since free agency began in March.

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NFL News / NFLTradeRumors.co / August 18

Patriots Hosted LB Shaq Thompson & DT DaQuan Jones

Per the NFL transaction wire, the New England Patriots hosted LB Shaq Thompson and DT DaQuan Jones for visits on Tuesday. Both are veterans with extensive experience who would bolster the depth for the Patriots if signed. Thompson, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Panthers back in 2015.

NFL News / Yardbarker

Ranking the NFL's backup quarterbacks for the 2026 season

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Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / August 11

Could Panthers Reunite with 112-Game Starter? Why it Makes Sense

The Carolina Panthers don't have nearly as many holes on the roster as they did this time last year. The team didn't go crazy in free agency, but they made a few impact signings.

New York Jets News / New York Jets on SI / May 22

New York Jets Have Yet to Sign Shaq Thompson and It Could Be a Major Mistake

Although New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey made significant upgrades across the roster this offseason, he didn’t fully address the linebacker room.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / May 20

Four Free Agent Linebackers That Could Be This Year's Shaq Thompson for Buffalo Bills

It's never too late to add free agents during the offseason. On June 10 last year, the Buffalo Bills signed linebacker Shaq Thompson, who became an instrumental part of the defense down the stretch last season.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / March 29

Key Bills Free Agent Asserts Desire to Return to Buffalo in 2026

Although the draft is coming up in April, NFL free agency isn’t quite through, and there’s one player still available who says he wants to return to play for the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / March 21

Former Bills Linebacker Is Perfect Reunion Target in Free Agency

While the Buffalo Bills appear dead set on ushering in a changing of the guard on defense, one of the team’s free agents would make a lot of sense as a reunion target.

NFL News / NFLTradeRumors.co / February 21

AFC Notes: Stefon Diggs, Shaq Thompson, Bills, Jets, Patriots

Bills LB Shaq Thompson, who is an impending free agent, said he would love to re-sign with Buffalo but plans on weighing his options. “I would love to play here,” Thompson said, via Lance Lyowski of the Buffalo News.

NFL News / Yardbarker

25 NFL players who could retire after the 2026 season

NFL stars can't play forever, and retirement is coming sooner than later for some of the league's top players. These 25 players could call it quits following the 2026 season.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / February 11

Bills’ Ageless Free Agent LB Not ‘Playing For Pennies’ in 2026

As much as Shaq Thompson sounds open to a return to the Buffalo Bills, he will not be nearly as cheap to retain as he was in 2025. Thompson took to Instagram this week to answer fan questions from a Q&A post on his story.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / February 5

Bills' star LB makes case to remain with team as free agency looms

With free agency approaching, one of the Buffalo Bills’ star defenders from the 2025 season is making his case to remain with the team despite a change in leadership at the defensive coordinator position.

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Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / January 13

Bills' oldest defenders post highest grades in playoff win over Jaguars

When things mattered most for the Buffalo Bills in their Wild Card win, it was a pair of grizzled vets that led the way. The Bills are advancing to the AFC divisional round after knocking off the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / December 22

Key Buffalo Bills' defender dealing with worrisome injury from Week 16 win vs. Browns

A critical Buffalo Bills’ defender may miss some time moving forward after sustaining an injury that left him sidelined during a Week 16 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / December 11

Bills' veteran LB proclaims 'division is still open' as pivotal Week 15 matchup looms

The Buffalo Bills did it in 2023, and there's definitely a thought that they can do it again in 2025. Two years ago, Buffalo needed a late-season surge to maintain its run as AFC East champions.

Buffalo Bills News / Pro Football Rumors / December 5

New reports provide injury updates on key Bills players

A couple of reports on Friday provided some insight into some of the team’s short-term and long-term injury situations.

Buffalo Bills News / Buffalo Bills on SI / December 4

Shaq Thompson issues 'challenge' to Buffalo Bills' defense in Week 14 vs. Bengals

Shaq Thompson has been a godsend for the Buffalo Bills. Facing injuries at the linebacker position throughout the season, Thompson has stepped in and not only filled the void, but has done so with flying colors.

NFL News / Athlon Sports / June 11, 2025

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

Carolina Panthers News / Athlon Sports / February 24, 2025

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 / NFLTradeRumors.co / February 24, 2025

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 / NFLTradeRumors.co / January 13, 2025

Shaq Thompson Wants To End Career With Panthers

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson has spent 10 seasons with the team after being selected 25th overall out of Washington in the 2015 draft. Due to injuries, Thompson has played just six games over the last two seasons including four in 2024.

Carolina Panthers News / Field Level Media / September 30, 2024

Report: Panthers LB Shaq Thompson dealing with Achilles injury

Carolina Panthers star linebacker Shaq Thompson sustained what is believed to be a torn Achilles and will miss the remainder of the season, NFL Network reported Monday.

Carolina Panthers News / Carolina Panthers on SI / March 16, 2024

Panthers Restructure Shaq Thompson's Contract, Clear Cap Space

With two minutes and thirty-five seconds remaining in the opening quarter of the Carolina Panthers' 2023 home opener, veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson was carted off the field.

Carolina Panthers News / Yardbarker / September 26, 2023

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NFL News / Yardbarker / September 21, 2023

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