The Buffalo Bills sign LB Shaq Thompson as 2025 training camp opens but place rookie Landon Jackson on the PUP list. Get the latest on the Bills' roster moves.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The Buffalo Bills kicked off the 2025 season in the most Bills way possible: with a dose of high-octane hope and a splash of frustrating reality. As rookies reported to St. John Fisher for training camp on Tuesday, the team made a significant veteran addition, signing former Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson, while simultaneously placing promising rookie edge rusher Landon Jackson on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
After injuries limited him to 13 games and a disappointing finish in the AFC Championship Game last season, Dalton Kincaid is expected to reclaim a central role in the offense.
Let's start with the good news. The signing of Shaq Thompson to a one-year deal is a savvy move by Brandon Beane. Thompson is a tackling machine, bringing 752 career takedowns and a wealth of experience to a linebacker room that felt the strain of injuries and inconsistency last year. He's a proven leader and a steadying presence. Unfortunately, that positive was tempered by the news that third-round pick Landon Jackson is heading to the PUP list. The No. 72 overall pick was reportedly turning heads and drawing praise from DC Bobby Babich for his three-down potential before an undisclosed injury cropped up after minicamp. While he can be activated at any time, it's a disappointing start for a player the Bills are counting on to contribute to the pass rush.
On the offensive side of the ball, the hype train is officially leaving the station for Dalton Kincaid. National NFL analysts have pegged the tight end as the Bills' top breakout candidate for 2025, and it's easy to see why. After an injury-shortened 2024 campaign that ended in a frustrating AFC Championship Game loss, Kincaid is healthy and poised to become Josh Allen's go-to target. With minimal additions to the receiving corps, Kincaid's chemistry with Allen isn't just a bonus—it's essential. If the Bills' passing attack is going to fire on all cylinders, it will likely be because Kincaid has made the leap from promising talent to bona fide star.
A new season preview that dropped today highlighted the Bills' offseason strategy: surround Josh Allen with a variety of weapons. The additions of veterans Josh Palmer and Elijah Moore, coupled with the extension for Khalil Shakir, create depth. The real wild card is Keon Coleman, who hopes to bounce back from his own injury-plagued rookie season and emerge as a true threat. The report also touched on the defense, noting the massive addition of Joey Bosa to juice the pass rush. However, in what's becoming a theme, Bosa is already nursing a calf issue, a reminder of how crucial health will be for this team's Super Bowl aspirations.
So, as camp gets underway, the narrative is already taking shape. The Bills have added proven talent like Thompson and Bosa to make a championship run now, but injuries are already casting a shadow before the first full-squad practice has even begun. The development of offensive weapons like Kincaid is paramount. The next few weeks will be crucial as we watch for updates on Jackson and Bosa and see how these new-look Bills begin to gel. The pieces are there, but staying on the field will be half the battle.
