DaQuan Jones Shaq Thompson Patriots visit happened Tuesday, according to reporting from Alaina Getzenberg/ESPN and Pro Football Rumors. The Patriots hosted both veteran free agents as New England evaluates experienced defensive options late in the offseason; these visits are being tracked as potential depth additions rather than confirmed signings.
The interest matters because each player would address different roster needs: the interior defensive tackle rotation and veteran linebacker depth. Any move remains uncertain — both players have been free agents since March and are drawing leaguewide interest as teams finalize 53-man plans. All 2025 stat lines and PFF rankings below are attributed to reporting from Alaina Getzenberg/ESPN, Pro Football Rumors and Pro Football Focus where noted.
DaQuan Jones Shaq Thompson Patriots visit — quick overview
DaQuan Jones is a 12-year veteran defensive tackle most recently with the Buffalo Bills. In 2025 he recorded 22 tackles, eight quarterback hits, three sacks, two pass deflections and a forced fumble (per ESPN/Pro Football Rumors). Pro Football Focus ranked him 24th of 127 qualified defensive tackles last season (Pro Football Focus). Jones also has prior working familiarity with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel from their time together in Tennessee (2018–20), which could ease schematic integration if pursued.
Shaq Thompson is a tenured off‑ball linebacker with 118 career starts. In 2025 with the Buffalo Bills he posted 56 tackles, six tackles for loss, two passes defensed, two QB hits, one sack and one forced fumble over 12 regular-season games (per ESPN/Pro Football Rumors). Pro Football Focus placed him roughly 29th among off‑ball linebackers that season (Pro Football Focus). Thompson carries a notable injury history, having missed significant time in 2023 and 2024; health will be a primary evaluation point.
What DaQuan Jones would bring to the Patriots
DaQuan Jones brings long-term starting experience on the interior and a recent track record of pass‑rush activity from a three‑technique role. His 2025 numbers show continued ability to affect the quarterback and clog running lanes while remaining a rotational option on early downs (stats per ESPN/Pro Football Rumors; ranking per Pro Football Focus).
Jones’ familiarity with the head coach could smooth schematic fit; see coverage of coach expectations in the Mike Vrabel Press Conference 6 9. If signed, he would join interior pieces such as Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, while Cory Durden projects to handle nose-tackle snaps. Any addition of Jones would likely be framed as veteran depth and competition rather than an automatic promotion to a starting role, pending medical review and contract structure.
What Shaq Thompson offers New England’s linebacker room
Shaq Thompson offers versatility across run and pass downs and special‑teams value typical of long-tenured off‑ball linebackers. His 2025 production provides recent evidence he can still impact both phases after returning from injury (per ESPN/Pro Football Rumors; ranking per Pro Football Focus).
New England’s inside linebacker room currently leans on primary options Robert Spillane and Christian Elliss, with backups including Chad Muma, K.J. Britt and rookie Khalil Jacobs. Thompson would provide a veteran alternative to that group and could be considered for subpackage roles and special teams. Given Thompson’s injury history, any deal would likely be low‑commitment until medicals are completed.
Visit quick facts: Jones vs. Thompson
How each fits New England schematically and on the depth chart
Both visits indicate the Patriots are weighing experienced, floor‑first options to bolster depth as training camp progresses. An interior addition like DaQuan Jones would rotate with and push Milton Williams and Christian Barmore, offering veteran snaps inside while Cory Durden handles nose-tackle duties. The move would shore up short‑term depth but is unlikely to immediately change starter designations without clear medicals and a contract that reflects a competitive role.
At linebacker, adding Shaq Thompson would give New England a proven veteran above the existing backups — Chad Muma, K.J. Britt and Khalil Jacobs — and could affect subpackage groupings and special teams. Given Thompson’s injury history, the Patriots would likely treat any deal as managed risk: limited guarantees, performance protections and a medical-dependent timeline.
What remains unclear and next steps
Unanswered items include medical clearances, the financial terms of any potential deals, how reps would be distributed if either player signs, and competing interest from other teams. Both players have been free agents since March and are being evaluated; that interest does not mean a contract is imminent.
Expect standard evaluation steps: private workouts (if necessary), full medicals and any follow‑up visits before a contract is announced. Until those steps conclude, references to potential signings should be read as team interest rather than confirmed transactions.
Reporting on these visits was first noted by Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN (search link) and detailed at Pro Football Rumors. Pro Football Focus is the source for the cited positional rankings.
Source attribution: Alaina Getzenberg/ESPN; Pro Football Rumors; Pro Football Focus. Patriots Report staff.
