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Skylar Thompson
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Skylar John Thompson (born June 4, 1997) is an American professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas State Wildcats and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]The verifiability of the claims made in this article is disputed. (July 2024) |
Thompson was born to Brad Thompson and Teresa Thompson in Palmyra, Missouri on June 4, 1997.[1] His mother Teresa was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer and died in 2004 when Thompson was just six years old. Thompson also lost his grandfather, John Thompson, in 2003 to pancreatic cancer.[2]
Thompson was a four-year letterman and starting quarterback, punter, and kicker at Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri. As a senior, Thompson threw for 2,129 yards on 142 passes with 26 touchdowns on only 3 interceptions, leading the Fort Osage Indians to a 13–1 record and a state championship title over Chaminade High School. In the state championship game, Thompson threw and rushed for a state championship game record of 455 yards and 7 touchdowns combined.[3] In his total career, Thompson threw for 6,222 yards on 423 passes (a 63% completion rate) with 72 touchdowns on just 9 interceptions.[4]
Thompson was named a 3-star recruit by ESPN and a 4-star recruit by 247Sports, accepting a full-ride scholarship to Kansas State over offers from Illinois, Iowa State, Kansas, Louisville, North Dakota State, Ohio, Tulsa, UNLV, Wake Forest, and Wyoming, as well as several preferred walk-on spots, including Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri, among many others.[5]
Thompson also lettered in basketball, baseball, and soccer, and was named Missouri All-State in both basketball and soccer at certain points in his career.
College career
[edit]The verifiability of the claims made in this article is disputed. (July 2024) |
After redshirting as a freshman and being named Scout Team Player of the Year, Thompson appeared in eight games and had four starts, throwing three touchdowns on 267 yards.[6] He was named the full-time starter as a sophomore and kept that starting role until graduation, but was constantly plagued with injuries throughout college. His sophomore year was riddled with minor injuries, including a broken rib and a twisted ankle, and in 2020, Thompson was ruled out-for-season after sustaining a serious upper-body injury against Texas Tech.[7] He was again injured in week 3 of 2021 against Southern Illinois, seeing limited time as a backup while healing and not returning full-time until week 10.[8]
When Thompson was healthy, he played very well and was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the history of Kansas State football, having the all-time record for best passer rating over 2,000 yards, the second-most career passing touchdowns and passing yards in school history, as well as the second-most total offensive yards for a quarterback in school history.[6] He finished his passing career with 7,134 yards on 552 passes (a 63% completion rate) for 42 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Skylar was also an effective running quarterback with 1,087 total rushing yards and 26 touchdowns.[9]
College statistics
[edit]| Season | Team | GP | Passing | Rushing | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | |||
| 2016 | Kansas State | 0 | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | Kansas State | 8 | 51 | 83 | 61.4 | 689 | 8.3 | 5 | 3 | 143.8 | 69 | 267 | 3.9 | 3 |
| 2018 | Kansas State | 11 | 122 | 208 | 58.7 | 1,391 | 6.7 | 9 | 4 | 125.3 | 105 | 373 | 3.6 | 5 |
| 2019 | Kansas State | 13 | 177 | 297 | 59.6 | 2,315 | 7.8 | 12 | 5 | 135.0 | 114 | 405 | 3.6 | 11 |
| 2020 | Kansas State | 3 | 40 | 64 | 62.5 | 626 | 9.8 | 4 | 0 | 165.3 | 19 | 38 | 2.0 | 3 |
| 2021 | Kansas State | 10 | 162 | 233 | 69.5 | 2,103 | 9.0 | 12 | 4 | 158.9 | 48 | 4 | 0.1 | 4 |
| Career | 45 | 552 | 885 | 62.4 | 7,134 | 8.0 | 42 | 16 | 142.0 | 355 | 1,087 | 3.1 | 26 | |
Professional career
[edit]| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+7⁄8 in (1.88 m) |
217 lb (98 kg) |
31 in (0.79 m) |
8+5⁄8 in (0.22 m) |
4.91 s | 1.62 s | 2.77 s | 4.28 s | 7.00 s | 31.0 in (0.79 m) |
9 ft 4 in (2.84 m) | ||
| All values from NFL Combine[10][11] | ||||||||||||
Miami Dolphins
[edit]Prior to the NFL draft, Thompson was predicted to be an undrafted free agent due to a history of injuries, his age, and a "lack of consistent production as a passer," according to NFL.com.[12] He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, with the 247th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.[13]
2022
[edit]Thompson's performance during the first two games of the 2022 preseason was notable, with ProFootballTalk speculating that his success might force the Dolphins to keep Thompson on the active roster rather than risk losing him to another team.[14] Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel also noted that it would be difficult to leave Thompson off of the main roster in light of his strong preseason performances.[15] Thompson ranked first among qualifying quarterbacks in passer rating (138.5) at the conclusion of the 2022 preseason.[16][17] Thompson was named to the 53 man roster after final cuts.[18]
Thompson made his NFL debut in Week 5 against the New York Jets after Teddy Bridgewater left the game with a concussion. He completed 19-of-33 passes for 166 yards and an interception in the 40–17 loss.[19]
On October 15, 2022, Thompson was announced as the Dolphins Week 6 starter against the Minnesota Vikings after both Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater were dealing with concussions.[20] He sustained a thumb injury after completing 7-of-13 passes for 89 yards and was replaced by Bridgewater, who cleared concussion protocol and was active as the backup quarterback.[21]
On January 6, 2023, Thompson was announced as the starter against the Jets in Week 18 after Tagovailoa entered concussion protocol following Week 16 and Bridgewater suffered a dislocated finger on his throwing hand in Week 17.[22] He completed 20 passes on 31 attempts for 152 yards in an 11–6 win for the Dolphins, clinching the team's first postseason appearance since the 2016 season.[23]
On January 11, Tagovailoa was officially ruled out for the Dolphins' Wild Card Round game against the Buffalo Bills, with McDaniel stating that Thompson would start his third career game.[24] Miami entered the contest as 14-point underdogs and were defeated 34–31.[25] Thompson threw for 220 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions with a 40% completion rate, though Miami's receivers were credited with several drops.[26][27][28]
2023
[edit]With Tagovailoa healthy, Thompson served as the third-string quarterback behind Mike White and did not appear during the 2023 season.[29]
2024
[edit]Thompson replaced Tagovailoa in their Week 2 game against the Bills after the latter left the game with a concussion.[30] Thompson later started in Week 3 against the Seahawks but left midway through the third quarter in their 24–3 loss with a rib injury.[31] He was waived on December 14, 2024 and re-signed to the practice squad three days later.[32][33]
Pittsburgh Steelers
[edit]
On January 14, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Thompson to a reserve/future contract.[34]
NFL career statistics
[edit]Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2022 | MIA | 7 | 2 | 1–1 | 60 | 105 | 57.1 | 534 | 5.1 | 32 | 1 | 3 | 62.2 | 14 | 21 | 1.5 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 40 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | MIA | 0 | 0 | — | DNP | |||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | MIA | 3 | 1 | 0–1 | 21 | 33 | 63.6 | 187 | 5.7 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 78.7 | 1 | 4 | 4.0 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 44 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | PIT | 0 | 0 | — | DNP | |||||||||||||||||
| Career | 10 | 3 | 1–2 | 81 | 138 | 58.7 | 721 | 5.2 | 32 | 1 | 3 | 66.1 | 15 | 25 | 1.7 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 84 | 4 | 2 | |
Postseason
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Y/A | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2022 | MIA | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 18 | 45 | 40.0 | 220 | 4.9 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 44.7 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | MIA | 0 | 0 | — | DNP | |||||||||||||||||
| Career | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 18 | 45 | 40.0 | 220 | 4.9 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 44.7 | 2 | 3 | 1.5 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 31 | 0 | 0 | |
References
[edit]- ^ "Skylar Thompson – Football – Kansas State University Athletics". Kansas State University. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ Thompson, Skylar (May 12, 2019). "SE: In His Own Words — Keep Surviving". Kansas State Wildcats Athletics. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "Missouri Football POY: Skylar Thompson". USA TODAY High School Sports. December 3, 2015. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson's High School Football Stats". MaxPreps.com. November 18, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson Recruit Interests". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ a b "Skylar Thompson – Football". Kansas State University Athletics. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ Sallee, Barrett (October 12, 2020). "Kansas State QB Skylar Thompson out for the season after suffering an upper body injury". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ Summers, Mitchel (September 11, 2021). "K-State's Skylar Thompson injured in Wildcats 31–23 win". www.wibw.com. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". Sports Reference. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson, Kansas State, QB, 2022 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ "The Reaction: Miami Dolphins Select QB Skylar Thompson with No. 247 Pick". www.miamidolphins.com. April 30, 2022. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ Smith, Michael David (August 21, 2022). "Dolphins' seventh-round rookie QB Skylar Thompson continues to impress". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved August 21, 2022.
- ^ Masala, Mike (August 29, 2022). "Mike McDaniel speaks on Skylar Thompson's fight for a roster spot". Dolphins Wire. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Cardenas, Anthony (August 30, 2022). "Miami Dolphins: Skylar Thompson is the MVP of the preseason". Phin Phanatic. Retrieved October 10, 2022.
- ^ Louis-Jacques, Marcel (January 6, 2023). "Dolphins' rookie QB Skylar Thompson confident ahead of must-win season finale". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson makes Dolphins roster". KSNT 27 News. August 30, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023.
- ^ Owens, Jason (October 9, 2022). "Teddy Bridgewater sidelined in new Tua Tagovailoa concussion protocols; 7th-round rookie Skylar Thompson in for Dolphins". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ Florio, Mike (October 15, 2022). "Teddy Bridgewater is cleared to play, will be No. 2 to Skylar Thompson on Sunday". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ McCarriston, Shanna (October 16, 2022). "Dolphins' Skylar Thompson exits with thumb injury as Miami QB woes continue; Teddy Bridgewater takes over". CBSSports.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
- ^ Louis-Jacques, Marcel (January 6, 2023). "Dolphins to start rookie QB Skylar Thompson vs. Jets". ESPN. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
- ^ "Dolphins clinch playoff berth after beating Jets 11–6". CBSSports.com. Associated Press. January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2023.
- ^ Maiorana, Sal (January 11, 2023). "Skylar Thompson in, Tua Tagovailoa out vs Bills: What to know about Miami QB situation". Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "Bills hang on for 34–31 wild-card win over Dolphins". CBSSports.com. Associated Press. January 16, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "Wild Card – Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – January 15th, 2023". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ Dimmitt, Zach (January 15, 2023). "Bills vs. Dolphins: Crucial Drops – But Big TD Catches from Cole Beasley, Gabe Davis Entering 4th Quarter". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
- ^ "Dolphins' Skylar Thompson: Nearly beats Bills". CBSSports.com. January 15, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ "Dolphins' Skylar Thompson ready to lead as Tua Tagovailoa recovers from concussion". CBS News. September 18, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Wells, Adam (September 12, 2024). "Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa Out vs. Bills with Concussion, Replaced by Skylar Thompson". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Louis-Jacques, Marcel (September 22, 2024). "Skylar Thompson suffers 'painful' rib injury in loss to Seahawks". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. December 14, 2024.
- ^ "Skylar Thompson: Sticking around in Miami". CBS Sports. December 17, 2024. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ Varley, Teresa (January 14, 2025). "Steelers sign 17 to Reserve/Future contracts". Steelers.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from NFL.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports · Pro Football Reference
- Pittsburgh Steelers bio
- Kansas State Wildcats bio
Skylar Thompson
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Family background
Skylar Thompson was born on June 4, 1997, in Palmyra, Missouri, a small town in the northeastern part of the state where he spent his early childhood.[6] He grew up in a close-knit family led by his father, Brad Thompson, who served as the principal at Palmyra High School, and his mother, Teresa Lynn Thompson.[6] Thompson was one of four siblings, including older brother Eric and older sister Ashley, with a younger brother, Anthony, born later to his father and stepmother.[6] The family home was filled with sports equipment like footballs, basketballs, and baseballs rather than traditional toys, fostering an early environment immersed in athletic influences.[6] Thompson's early years were marked by profound family tragedies that tested his young resilience. In February 2003, when Thompson was not yet six, his grandfather, John Walter Thompson, was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and passed away on October 23, 2003, while undergoing pain relief therapy.[6] Just seven months later, on May 11, 2004—two days after Mother's Day and less than a month before Thompson's seventh birthday—his mother, Teresa, succumbed to stage-four breast cancer at age 45.[6] These losses, occurring in quick succession, left a deep emotional impact; in his own words, Thompson described reaching "rock bottom" during this period, a foundation that later shaped his determination to persevere.[6] Following these events, Thompson's father became the primary caregiver, strengthening their bond through shared activities like grilling, listening to music—such as Eminem's "Mockingbird"—and playing board games.[6] His stepmother, Kathy (Katherine Ann Burns), whom his father married after Teresa's death, provided unconditional love and helped raise the family, offering essential emotional stability.[6] Extended family members also stepped in to support the household. These events profoundly influenced Thompson's resilience, as he later reflected that the pain built a mindset where adversity became a motivator, channeling his energy into sports as an escape and a way to honor his loved ones.[6] Prior to entering high school, Thompson attended local schools in Palmyra before the family relocated to Independence, Missouri; his non-athletic youth pursuits included simple family games and casual play, such as throwing a ball with his grandfather, alongside an emerging passion for football that began in youth leagues after the move.[6]High school career
Skylar Thompson attended Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, where he was a four-year letterman and starting quarterback, as well as punter and kicker.[7] Over his high school career, Thompson amassed 6,222 passing yards on 423 completions out of 671 attempts, with 71 touchdown passes and just 14 interceptions, while also rushing for 1,879 yards and 13 touchdowns on 430 carries.[8] As a junior in 2014, he earned first-team all-state honors and was a finalist for the Simone Award, Missouri's top senior football award.[9] Thompson's senior season in 2015 was particularly standout, as he threw for 2,128 yards and 25 touchdowns with only three interceptions, leading the Fort Osage Indians to a 13-1 record and the program's first state championship.[10][11] In the Class 5 state title game, a 63-28 victory over Chaminade College Preparatory School on November 28, 2015, Thompson accounted for seven total touchdowns—four passing and three rushing—while accumulating 455 all-purpose yards, setting a Show-Me Bowl record for total offense in the championship.[11][12] Highly regarded as a four-star dual-threat quarterback recruit, Thompson received offers from multiple programs, including Iowa State, Kansas, and Wake Forest, before verbally committing to Kansas State University as a junior in May 2015 and signing his national letter of intent in February 2016.[13][14]College career
Kansas State
Skylar Thompson, a highly recruited quarterback from Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, chose to attend Kansas State University, signing with the Wildcats over offers from programs including Illinois and Iowa State.[2] Thompson redshirted during the 2016 season, preserving a year of eligibility while contributing on the scout team, where he was a co-winner of the Red Raider Award for top scout team performer.[15] As a redshirt freshman in 2017, he transitioned into a backup role behind starter Jesse Ertz but saw significant action after Ertz's injury, starting four games and earning honorable mention honors as Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year by league coaches.[2] His poise under pressure helped stabilize the offense during a transitional period for the program.[16] In 2018, Thompson solidified his role as the full-time starter and was voted a team co-captain, marking a breakout year despite sharing some snaps early with Alex Delton and dealing with minor injuries such as a sports hernia and concussion that tested his durability.[15][17] The 2019 season saw further progression, with Thompson starting all 13 games and showcasing his dual-threat ability, including standout rushing performances that highlighted his toughness.[18] However, his 2020 campaign was cut short after just three starts due to a season-ending shoulder injury requiring surgery, an upper-body issue sustained during a game against Texas Tech that sidelined him for the remainder of the pandemic-shortened season.[19] Benefiting from an NCAA-granted extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19 disruptions, Thompson returned for a sixth season in 2021, though he suffered an early knee injury against Southern Illinois, missing the next two games before reclaiming the starting role.[20] That senior year proved pivotal, as he led Kansas State to key victories, including an upset over West Virginia, and capped his college tenure by earning MVP honors in the TaxAct Texas Bowl against LSU after a strong performance in the 42-20 win.[21] Throughout his time at Kansas State, Thompson's resilience amid multiple injuries—spanning the 2018 minors, 2020 shoulder, and 2021 knee—defined his role evolution from backup to the program's most accomplished starter since 1990, with 40 career starts and 24 wins as a quarterback, the highest marks in school history for those categories.[15] He became the first Wildcats quarterback to defeat three top-10 opponents in his career and the first since at least 1990 to achieve 6,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards.[22] Off the field, Thompson demonstrated leadership as a 2018 co-captain and a 2021 semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, which recognizes football players for community service and leadership.[15] Following the 2021 season, Thompson declared for the 2022 NFL Draft, concluding his college career after playing in 45 games over six years.[23]College statistics
Skylar Thompson concluded his college career at Kansas State University with impressive dual-threat statistics, amassing 7,134 passing yards and 42 passing touchdowns on 552 completions out of 885 attempts for a 62.4% completion rate and a 141.7 passer rating, alongside 1,087 rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns on 355 carries.[24] He stands as the only player in Kansas State history to achieve over 6,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a career.[15] Thompson's performance was notably impacted by injuries, including a season-ending shoulder injury in 2020 that limited him to just three games, and a knee injury early in 2021 that caused him to miss two games despite his return to play 10 contests that year.[25][26] The following tables summarize Thompson's year-by-year passing and rushing statistics from 2017 to 2021, reflecting his progression as a starter while accounting for reduced participation in injury-affected seasons.[24]Passing Statistics
| Year | Games | Completions | Attempts | Completion % | Yards | Touchdowns | Interceptions | Yards/Attempt | Passer Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 | 51 | 83 | 61.4 | 689 | 5 | 3 | 8.3 | 143.8 |
| 2018 | 11 | 122 | 208 | 58.7 | 1,391 | 9 | 4 | 6.7 | 125.3 |
| 2019 | 13 | 177 | 297 | 59.6 | 2,315 | 12 | 5 | 7.8 | 135.0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 40 | 64 | 62.5 | 626 | 4 | 0 | 9.8 | 165.3 |
| 2021 | 10 | 162 | 233 | 69.5 | 2,113 | 12 | 4 | 9.1 | 159.3 |
| Career | 45 | 552 | 885 | 62.4 | 7,134 | 42 | 16 | 8.1 | 141.7 |
Rushing Statistics
| Year | Games | Attempts | Yards | Yards/Attempt | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 8 | 69 | 267 | 3.9 | 3 |
| 2018 | 11 | 105 | 373 | 3.6 | 5 |
| 2019 | 13 | 114 | 405 | 3.6 | 11 |
| 2020 | 3 | 19 | 38 | 2.0 | 3 |
| 2021 | 10 | 48 | 4 | 0.1 | 4 |
| Career | 45 | 355 | 1,087 | 3.1 | 26 |
Professional career
2022 season
Thompson was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round (247th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.[1] As a rookie, he entered the season as the team's third-string quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater, and he was inactive for the first three weeks.[4] His NFL debut came in Week 5 against the New York Jets, where he relieved an injured Bridgewater, completing 19 of 33 passes for 166 yards and one interception in a 40-17 loss.[29] The following week, with Tagovailoa sidelined by a high ankle sprain, Thompson made his first career start against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 6, going 7 of 13 for 89 yards in a 24-16 defeat before being replaced by Jacoby Brissett.[29] He remained on the active roster and saw limited relief action in subsequent games, including Week 10 versus the Cleveland Browns (1 of 1 for 17 yards), Week 12 against the Houston Texans (1 of 5 for 6 yards), Week 13 at the San Francisco 49ers (0 of 1 with one interception), and Week 17 at the New England Patriots (12 of 21 for 104 yards, one touchdown, and one interception).[29] Thompson earned his second start in Week 18 against the Jets, completing 20 of 31 passes for 152 yards in a 11-6 victory that clinched a playoff berth for Miami, finishing the regular season with seven appearances, two starts, and a 1–1 record as a starter.[29] As the Dolphins' starter for the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, Thompson completed 18 of 45 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in a 34-31 loss, marking his first postseason appearance.[3] Throughout the season, he remained on the 53-man roster without any stints on the practice squad.[30]2023 season
In 2023, Skylar Thompson served as the third-string quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, positioned behind starter Tua Tagovailoa and backup Mike White on the depth chart.[31][32] He remained on the team's 53-man roster throughout the season but was inactive for all 17 regular-season games, designated as the emergency third quarterback without seeing any game action.[30][3] During the preseason, Thompson participated in three games, where he completed 40 of his attempts for notable yardage and threw a touchdown pass to Salvon Ahmed in a 28-3 victory over the Houston Texans on August 19.[33][34] No injuries affected Thompson's status during the year, allowing him to contribute in training camp practices and walkthroughs as part of the quarterback room's development.[35]2024 season
Thompson entered the 2024 season as the primary backup quarterback to Tua Tagovailoa for the Miami Dolphins, positioned behind him on the depth chart amid a crowded quarterback room that included Tyler Huntley and Tim Boyle.[4] He entered in relief during Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills, completing 8 of 14 passes for 80 yards in a 10-31 loss.[36] His first career start since 2022 came in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks due to Tagovailoa's ongoing recovery from a concussion sustained in Week 1, where he completed 13 of 19 passes for 107 yards before exiting early in the third quarter with a rib injury, contributing to a 24-3 loss.[37][38][39] The injury sidelined him temporarily, limiting his further involvement until Week 12 against the New England Patriots, where he was active but did not attempt a pass in a 34-15 victory.[36] The Dolphins' quarterback instability persisted throughout the year, exacerbated by Tagovailoa's multiple injuries and the team's experimentation with other options, which restricted Thompson to minimal playing time after his Week 3 appearance.[40] He did not see regular-season action in Weeks 17 or 18. For the season, Thompson appeared in three games with one start, finishing 21 of 33 for 187 passing yards and no touchdowns.[3] Roster flux marked the latter part of Thompson's 2024 tenure with Miami. On December 14, 2024, the Dolphins waived him as part of several moves ahead of their Week 16 matchup, clearing space amid ongoing quarterback evaluations.[40] He cleared waivers and was re-signed to the team's practice squad three days later on December 17, allowing him to remain with the organization.[41] Thompson concluded the year on the practice squad, serving as an emergency option but without entering the final games. This sequence of events highlighted the precarious nature of his role, setting the stage for his transition to unrestricted free agency at the end of the season.[42]2025 season
On January 14, 2025, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Skylar Thompson to a reserve/future contract, marking his transition from the Miami Dolphins where he had spent his first three NFL seasons.[43] Thompson entered the Steelers' 2025 training camp as the third-string quarterback behind starter Aaron Rodgers and backup Mason Rudolph, with rookie sixth-round pick Will Howard also vying for reps in a crowded room.[44][45] In the preseason opener on August 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thompson relieved Rudolph and threw three touchdown passes—two to tight end Max Hurleman and one to running back Trey Sermon—completing 12 of 16 passes for 142 yards in a 31-25 victory, a performance that drew praise for his ball security and poise.[46][47] His strong showing sparked discussions about potentially leapfrogging Rudolph on the depth chart, with former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger commenting that Thompson had "played himself into a legit chance for a backup job somewhere" due to his error-free play, though he predicted the team might cut him to facilitate a trade.[48][49] Teammates echoed the sentiment, with receiver George Pickens noting, "We all love playing with Skylar," highlighting his quick integration into the locker room during camp.[50] Thompson's momentum was halted by a hamstring injury sustained during a scout-team practice in late August, which sidelined him for the regular-season opener against the New York Jets on September 8.[51] He was officially placed on injured reserve on September 10, becoming the second Steelers quarterback to land there that preseason after Howard's finger injury.[52] While on IR, Thompson traveled with the team to Dublin for their Week 4 international game against the Minnesota Vikings, but on September 28, he was jumped and robbed in the city, suffering minor injuries that did not affect his recovery timeline.[53] As of November 16, 2025, Thompson remains on injured reserve with the hamstring injury, having not appeared in any regular-season games this season, with an expected return for Week 11.[54][55]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Skylar Thompson has appeared in 10 regular-season games over his NFL career through the 2025 season, with three starts, primarily serving as a backup quarterback for the Miami Dolphins before joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. His career regular-season passing totals stand at 81 completions on 138 attempts for 721 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions, and a passer rating of 66.1.[1] Rushing contributions have been minimal, with 15 carries for 25 yards and no touchdowns.[56] Thompson's regular-season activity has been limited, with no appearances in 2023 and none as of November 2025 after being placed on injured reserve in September with a hamstring injury. In 2022, he played seven games for Miami, starting two, and completed 60 of 105 passes for 534 yards. In 2024, he appeared in three games, starting one, going 21 of 33 for 187 yards. The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular-season passing and rushing statistics:| Year | Team | Games (Starts) | Completions/Attempts | Yards | TDs | INTs | Passer Rating | Rushing Yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | MIA | 7 (2) | 60/105 | 534 | 1 | 3 | 62.2 | 21 |
| 2023 | MIA | 0 (0) | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | MIA | 3 (1) | 21/33 | 187 | 0 | 0 | 78.7 | 4 |
| 2025 | PIT | 0 (0) | 0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Career | — | 10 (3) | 81/138 | 721 | 1 | 3 | 66.1 | 25 |
Postseason
Thompson's only NFL postseason appearance came in the 2022 AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on January 15, 2023, where he started as quarterback for the Miami Dolphins following injuries to the team's primary passers during the regular season. The Dolphins lost 34-31 in overtime after a dramatic comeback attempt, with Thompson completing 18 of 45 passes for 220 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, resulting in a passer rating of 44.7. He connected with Mike Gesicki for a 7-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and attempted a successful two-point conversion pass to Tyreek Hill, but the Bills' defense forced turnovers that sealed the outcome.[57] Through the 2025 season, Thompson has not appeared in any additional postseason games.[4]| Date | Game Type | Opponent | Result | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/15/2023 | Wild Card | Buffalo Bills | L 31-34 | 18/45 | 220 | 1 | 2 | 44.7 |
