Grading the move: Bucs continue to fortify a major weakness with a familiar and experienced nemesis
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into the 2026 offseason needing major help on the defensive side of the ball, and particularly at linebacker, both inside and outside. General manager Jason Licht managed to address the former early in free agency, reaching a two-year deal with former Detroit Lions LB Alex Anzalone. One of the best […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came into the 2026 offseason needing major help on the defensive side of the ball, and particularly at linebacker, both inside and outside.
General manager Jason Licht managed to address the former early in free agency, reaching a two-year deal with former Detroit Lions LB Alex Anzalone. One of the best coverage linebackers on the market, Anzalone should help elevate the play of the unit.
However, Licht wasn’t done addressing the position. On Monday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport revealed the Bucs reached an agreement with veteran linebacker Christian Rozeboom. Per Greg Auman, it’s a one-year deal.
Bucs reach agreement with former Carolina LB Christian Rozeboom, who starred against Tampa Bay last season
Rozeboom gives the Bucs an experienced player with starting experience who can step in week one alongside Anzalone. Rozeboom projects as more of an early down player. A run stopper, he totaled 122 combined tackles last season for Carolina with seven tackles for loss, two sacks, and an interception.
However, Rozeboom won’t do too much in the passing game. He posted a 42.3 Pro Football Focus coverage mark and was credited with allowing 57 catches on 69 targets with three touchdowns allowed and an opposing passer rating of 109.2.
The Bucs certainly got a good look at what Rozeboom can do late last season, as he had two very impactful games in both matchups. He had seven tackles and a sack in Carolina’s 24-20 win in Charlotte and added eight tackles and an interception in the regular season finale in Tampa.
Grading the move: B
I’m giving this a B with the belief the Bucs likely have Rozeboom a one-year deal like Carolina did last year in the $2.5 million ballpark. I like the move from the perspective of giving the Bucs an experienced option, at minimum. Rozeboom will do little to solve the Bucs’ issues on passing downs when he’s on the field, so that liability in coverage is worrisome.
However, Tampa Bay is now covered in the event that Lavonte David decides to hang them up. They have two experienced, starting caliber linebackers as well as SirVocea Dennis, who took a step back in 2025 after a solid start to an injury-shortened 2024.
I don’t think the Bucs should be done addressing the position. David’s long-term successor should be in play in the first two days of the draft. But as far as adding someone who’ll hunt down a ballcarrier and get guys on the ground, they could have done worse than they did with Rozeboom.
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