The Buffalo Bills brought back Shaq Thompson for more than his leadership, with Joe Brady and Brandon Beane believing the veteran linebacker can still make an impact on the field.
When the Buffalo Bills brought Shaq Thompson back to the practice squad after the preseason wrapped up, it would have been easy to view the move primarily through the lens of veteran leadership.
Thompson has been around the NFL for more than a decade, knows what it takes to play at a high level, and already has the respect of the Bills' locker room after joining the team last season.
But according to head coach Joe Brady and general manager Brandon Beane, that undersells what Thompson can still bring to Buffalo.
Brady made that clear when discussing the decision to bring Thompson back.
“Shaq was instrumental to us last year,” Brady said. “He was a perfect example of a guy that you didn't know how much he was going to end up playing. And then, next thing you know, the unfortunate reality was some of the injuries, and he had to take a big role and, you know, was a leader for us last year.”
That experience is a major reason the Bills were comfortable bringing Thompson back despite the fact that he did not participate in training camp.
More importantly, Brady doesn't view Thompson as someone who is simply there to help younger players.
“And I think that he's not here just to be a leader,” Brady said. “Like he's here because if an opportunity opens up, you know, we feel comfortable Shaq being able to play football.”
That distinction could become important as the season progresses.
The Bills are entering the year with a new defensive system under Jim Leonhard, and versatility is already being emphasized as a major part of the defense's identity. Brady said the goal is to create a defense that can make things difficult for opposing offenses by not making it obvious where players will line up.
“We want to be able to be physical," he said. "We want to make plays on the ball. There's a lot of different things with it, but there's a versatility that I think should continue to make it challenging on offenses."
Thompson appears to fit that philosophy naturally.
When asked about where he believes he can fit in Leonhard's defense, Thompson didn't limit himself to one particular linebacker role.
“I think, man, I can play anywhere," Thompson explained. "I can play on the ball, off the ball. I can play in space. I can play dime. I can play mike. I think my versatility could be used very well."
That versatility was also part of what stood out to Beane.
“You guys were around him for a year. Ultimate pro, unbelievable leader,” Beane said. “You know, the guy can just step in. He's super smart, a hard worker. He's got that presence to him.”
Beane also revealed that some members of the defensive coaching staff who had never previously worked with Thompson were immediately impressed by him.
“Some of our coaches on the defensive side that had not met him, he got in here last night,” Beane said. “And they were like, man, I've seen this guy from far. I'm just blown away in ten minutes talking to him.”
Thompson joins the Bills after missing all of the offseason programs, training camp, and preseason. It's something Thompson believes was beneficial in making sure his body was ready for the grind of a full season.
“My body feels great,” Thompson said. “Just all around, I just feel amazing.”
There's another interesting element to Thompson's return. He isn't looking to immediately walk into the locker room and act like the unquestioned veteran leader.
Instead, he wants to earn that role again by putting in the work with his teammates.
“I got to take it easy, you know, like I got to step into it easy just because for me, you know, it's a bigger impact when you're here putting in the work with the guys,” Thompson said.
He acknowledged that missing OTAs and training camp means he has to first establish himself with some of the players he hasn't spent as much time around.
“I got to go out there and play, put in the work with them, practice, and all that type of stuff before I even start becoming a leader,” Thompson said.
Thompson starts the year on the practice squad. The Bills will be able to elevate him to their game-day roster three times before they have to sign him to the active roster.
