Despite signing a contract with the Buffalo Bills, the team may cut linebacker Shaq Thompson before the 2025 campaign begins. According to a report, the veteran might not make the 53-man roster this month since the Bills already have two starting linebackers this season. With Terrel Bernard and Matt Milano expected to be the long-term contributors for this pass-rush, reporter Ryan Talbot believes there might not be room for Thompson. Originally selected in the 2015 NFL Draft, the former Washington product spent his entire career with the Carolina Panthers, and it will be the first time that he will be in a uniform, no matter of whether he stays in Buffalo or not.
Thompson is coming off a torn Achilles last season and had one of the worst years statistically, making just four starts in that campaign. Even though Bills head coach Sean McDermott has ties to Thompson, it doesn’t guarantee him safe for the starting roster. The linebacker hasn’t been able to stay healthy for the 2023 season as well, so it makes sense that the Bills would release him rather than trying to find a trade suitor. Either way, the veteran faces an uphill battle, and it makes sense for these teams to pursue him if he becomes available again in free agency.
Report: Could The Bills Cut This Former First Round Pick Shaq Thompson? – 3 Logical Fits
Potential Destinations
Baltimore Ravens
The Bills will never trade to Baltimore, but the Ravens might sign him if he becomes a free agent. After losing Malik Harrison in the offseason, the team is losing depth in the pass-rush unit behind Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy. Davis Ojabo and Trenton Simpson haven’t been living up to expectations, so someone like Thompson could serve as a reliable veteran piece in that locker room, similar to the role that Jadeveon Clowney had before departing for Carolina in 2024.
The Ravens can’t ignore upgrading the defense since it hasn’t been the same since they lost Clowney and Patrick Queen. It will only get worse before it gets better in the AFC, and the Ravens could pull off a one-year deal at best to put themselves in the driver’s seat of at least having a ferocious defense.
New Orleans Saints
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints will be heavily reliant on the defense after losing Derek Carr to retirement. This means it leaves General Manager Mickey Loomis no other choice but to rebuild their offense. They will run into a lot of trial-and-error this upcoming campaign, so they need a strong defense to give either Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler more reps on the field. After losing Willie Gay this free agency, Thompson could fill the hole and fit the bill of the Saints’ cap space as another linebacker paired with DeMario Davis and Pete Werner.
Kansas City Chiefs
However, the Kansas City Chiefs still have question marks in their linebacker room. Between Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill, they haven’t made a ton of noise to convince the coaching staff they’re long-term contributors. Nick Bolton got a new contract, but he needs help in the pass-rush, and someone like Thompson could be a solid veteran to do what Josh Uche was supposed to last year after trading for him.
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