Sean McDermott needed very few words to praise Shaq Thompson's Wild Card game

The Buffalo Bills’ defense knew the challenge of facing the Jacksonville Jaguars’ red-hot offense would be great. Trevor Lawrence closed his regular season on a heater, scoring 19 times across the final six games with just one turnover, and early on against Buffalo, his hot streak appeared to be extending into the postseason.

While Sean McDermott’s defense had its struggles, allowing 154 yards on the ground at 6.7 yards per carry, it came up with two crucial interceptions on Lawrence, the second one courtesy of Tre’Davious White and Cole Bishop to seal the victory.

The first came courtesy of veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson in the first quarter, returning it 19 yards and setting the Bills up in field goal range to take their first lead of the game. It was the first postseason interception in Thompson’s career, and the first he’s caught since 2021.

Sean McDermott summed up Shaq Thompson’s impact with one simple question

After the game, McDermott was asked about Thompson’s impact and kept his rhetorical response short, emphasizing the importance of Thompson in the middle of the defense.

“What if we didn’t have Shaq (Thompson)?” McDermott said.

Thompson led the Bills with eight tackles in the playoff contest, adding a pass deflection and the interception. Thompson nearly came up with a second interception in the second half when a tip pass fluttered in front of him and dropped just out of reach. It’s safe to say, in answering McDermott’s rhetorical question, the Bills might not have survived this matchup without Thompson.

Thompson, even at 31, was sideline to sideline for the Bills defense, making plays against the run and the pass consistently and at key moments too. Alongside Matt Milano, the veteran presence in the middle of Buffalo's defense has been one of its most valuable assets.

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Thompson, who is in his 11th season, played in just his second playoff game since his rookie season with the Carolina Panthers when they went to Super Bowl 50. Despite the gap, Thompson turned in a performance befitting of a veteran who many doubted could return to form as he chases down another chance at the Lombardi Trophy.

While his offseason future is murky, with his one-year contract ending once the Bills’ campaign is finished, the Buffalo front office and coaching staff have gotten everything they could have hoped for out of Thompson in his first season with the franchise. With his leadership qualities already fueling a possible return, if Thompson continues to make big plays and consistent stops for this defense through a successful postseason run, general manager Brandon Beane might be pushed into making sure Thompson is back for Year 2 in 2026.