Is Shaq Thompson part of Bills' plan at linebacker?
Thompson has experience playing in the kind of 3-4 base defense new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard will install, but are the Bills able to guarantee a starting role?
Before the coach who drew him to Buffalo got fired last month, Shaq Thompson informed Bills general manager and president of football operations Brandon Beane that he wished to return in 2026.
There were a few stipulations, though. Next season, Thompson wants a starting role and a pay raise.
Linebacker Shaq Thompson had 56 tackles in 12 regular-season games with the Bills in 2025. Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
"I would love to play here," Thompson said, less than 24 hours before the Bills fired Sean McDermott. "I definitely have to weigh my options because I want to start. I know I’m a starter in this league, and I know with my leadership, it could (enhance a team) anywhere."
Thompson's stance has not changed. He wants to play for the Bills and their new coach, Joe Brady. The philosophical and schematic changes Buffalo's new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonhard, will implement this offseason will not preclude Beane from retaining Thompson.
Thompson has experience playing in the kind of 3-4 base defense Leonhard will install, but are the Bills able to guarantee a starting role? Thompson turns 32 years old in April. And, if Buffalo does tab Thompson as one of its starters in 2026, it probably needs to add another inside linebacker through free agency or the draft.
Matt Milano, who also turns 32 this offseason, is set to become a free agent next month. Terrel Bernard, Dorian Williams, and Joe Andreessen are under contract for 2026, but Bernard is coming off an injury-plagued season. Neither Williams nor Andreessen has enough experience for a championship contender to pencil them in as starters.
Bills linebacker Matt Milano celebrates a tackle against the Jaguars during the the wild-card playoff game at EverBank Field on Jan. 11.
Harry Scull Jr., Buffalo News
Thompson was an exceptional leader on and off the field for the Bills last season. But two significant injuries caused him to play just six games in 2023 and 2024. He's not a long-term solution to a position that's important to any defense's success.
Can the Bills expect their defense to improve if they simply bring back the same linebackers? Leonhard made it clear during his introductory press conference that success for Buffalo begins with stopping the run. In 2025, McDermott's defense ranked 28th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (136.2). The New York Giants were the only team to allow more rushes of 10-plus yards.
Beane and Brady may have identified McDermott's scheme as a reason for the Bills' inability to stop the run in some of their games, but the players contributed to the missed tackles and botched assignments. It's also a good time for Beane to pursue an inside linebacker because the draft contains talented, versatile prospects at the position, and there are a few intriguing options in free agency.
First, though, the Bills must make a decision on whether to bring back Thompson and/or Milano.
Thompson would be a low-cost option who will ensure the leadership on defense does not waver. He holds his teammates accountable, and he's an extremely intelligent player who's still athletic enough to make plays on the ball. He totaled 56 tackles, 33 solo and six for a loss, with two quarterback hits. Thompson also played 100% of the defensive snaps in Buffalo's two playoff games, providing the Bills with an interception in their win over the Jaguars in the wild-card round. He missed five games and played through injuries throughout the season, though. Spotrac projects Thompson's next contract at a $2.396 million average annual value.
Milano, on the other hand, played through a pectoral injury and missed five games. The former All-Pro selection improved as the season progressed, but he doesn't have the same athleticism or consistency. The Bills would need him to shift back to inside linebacker for his return to make sense, but why not take advantage of the opportunity for a reset on defense? Milano's projected value, according to Spotrac: $4.598 million.
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (58) tries to hang on to Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (12)
during the third quarter of the AFC divisional game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on Jan. 17, 2026. Harry Scull Jr./Buffalo News
In free agency, he Bills could pursue Kaden Elliss (Falcons), Quay Walker (Packers), Alex Anzalone (Lions) or Alex Singleton (Broncos), among others. Singleton is particularly interesting because he spent the past two seasons with Leonhard in Denver. The scheme and philosophies used by Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph will be like those we'll see from Buffalo under Leonhard. Singleton turned 32 in December, but he totaled at least 120 tackles in four of the past five seasons. His 135 tackles in 2025 led the team.
The draft is well-stocked at linebacker. Several names to watch during the NFL scouting combine next week: CJ Allen (Georgia), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Josiah Trotter (Missouri) and Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh).
The Bills, however, must decide where to allocate their cap space and draft capital. There are other potential holes on defense Beane must consider, with cornerback Tre'Davious White and edge rushers Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa becoming free agents. Another starter may be needed at safety, where Buffalo needs a reliable starter next to Cole Bishop. The Bills' other starter at the beginning of 2025, Taylor Rapp, is coming off a season-ending knee injury. Some players under contract for 2026 may not fit in Leonhard's defense.
Leadership is a quality the Bills must also consider, though. If Milano and White depart, then who else will emerge as a prominent voice in the locker room? Thompson fit perfectly in that role, but the decision on whether to bring him back is not as simple as it may have been with McDermott as coach.