Recently, we have shown thymocytes lacking SHP1 have decreased cell numbers post selection for both CD4 SP and CD8 SP. This thymocyte selection defect led to decreases in tetramer positive precursor numbers in the periphery. Specifically we analyzed CD8 T cells for LCMV GP33–41:Kd and CD4 T cells for MOG35–55:IAb. Immunization with LCMV Armstrong revealed about 50% reduction of antigen specific T cells, both CD4+ and CD8+. Even though SHP1 deficient T cells have reduced numbers, they exhibit superior proliferation as observed by cell trace violet coupled with increased death. Though SHP1 has many implications in T cell signaling, a novel aspect is impacting metabolism as the SHP1 deficient T cells display increased metabolic activity. Naïve SHP1 deficient CD8 T cells exhibit increased mitochondrial respiration. During expansion, these T cells maintain increased mitochondrial respiration compared to wildtype controls. Comparatively, lack of SHP1 also causes an increase in glucose uptake throughout expansion. Altogether, SHP1 appears to impact TCR mediated signal threshold which leads to increased T cell metabolism in peripheral tissues.