Aaron Schatz: Go Sign This Linebacker
February 28th, 2026
Targeted for Bucs?
A linebacker who will be 32 is considered long in the tooth.
Except when a team has a roster spot reserved for a guy who will be 36.
Lavonte David has trained at One Buc Palace this offseason. Yeah, this offseason. Jason Licht said this on WDAE-AM 620/FM 95.7 this week.
Does that sound like a guy who has decided to pack in his career?
Whether David retires or not, plays or not, the Bucs need linebackers. And Aaron Schatz, the inventor of DVOA and creator of Football Outsiders (RIP), typed in a piece for BSPN that the best free agent signing for the Bucs should be Detroit linebacker Alex Anzalone.
The time might have finally come for 36-year-old Lavonte David to leave the Buccaneers, which opens a spot for a veteran in the middle of Tampa Bay’s defense. Anzalone is strong against the run and had 2.5 sacks and eight passes defensed for Detroit last season.
Joe loves this idea and here is why: Tough guy Lions coach Dan Campbell would never have a linebacker as a five-year starter unless he was tough as nails and physical. And Joe thinks that is just what the Bucs lack.
Was David a physical player last year? That’s up for debate. Aside from Tykee Smith, the Bucs defense simply is not that physical. Vita Vea is, but teams stay away from him.
Get a tough guy on the second level like Anzalone, a former Gators star, and watch this defense perk up. And good grief, a fire eater like Anzalone would be a welcome trait for Bucs linebacker and the defense as a whole.
February 28th, 2026 at 8:13 am
He’s got good speed and plays a lot like LVD.
February 28th, 2026 at 8:14 am
But his age does give me pause.
February 28th, 2026 at 8:17 am
Like this idea. It is going to take a combination of FA’s and draft picks to fix the mess that is supposed to be the Bucs defense. Hopefully, TB knows that patience with his defense is over. Way past time to produce results. If 2026 is a replay of 2025, Todd B will be history in Tampa.
February 28th, 2026 at 8:22 am
I would draft 2 lb’s and if possible find a proven edge guy in free agency, because it appears the team has no eye for edge rushers in the draft. Yes his age does give one pause. However, as a depth piece or short term anwer until guys you have drafted are ready, then it makes sense. Not everyone can play as long and be effective as LD. He is an exception no doubt. I do like LD coming back this year with reduced snaps . I believe if used less he can be fresh , healthy, effective and a good mentor for younger guys
February 28th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Just sign Kenyon Sadiq and have him play both ways. Heck, we’d only need one inside linebacker then.
February 28th, 2026 at 9:22 am
Campbell would NEVER let him go if he was still worth a crap!
February 28th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Please, I like Alex. He brings the juice.
February 28th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Sign Devin Lloyd.
February 28th, 2026 at 9:41 am
Looks like a rock star with the long hair and sun glasses.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:12 am
As a gap player for a year or 2, bring him on.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:13 am
He bullied us last season.
He plays like a safety.
He’s very fast.
He’s fearless and hits hard.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Or just bring Jones back at ILB
February 28th, 2026 at 10:22 am
He’s healthy too. I could get behind this.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:29 am
Analzone
February 28th, 2026 at 10:31 am
Perfect Licht Loser.
Old, slow, cheap, injury prone (right shoulder)
Todd might not want him, cause… you know
February 28th, 2026 at 10:43 am
This guy ran a 4.63 in 2017, so he’s probably 4.75 now…If he can’t tackle either, he’s PERFECT for a Todd Blows defense.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:48 am
Anybody from a top 5 defense would be a step in the right direction.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:55 am
He’s 32 and injured every year. They need a big signing at LB, not a 1/2 year stopgap. Leo Chenal would be the best low-cost LB they could sign.
February 28th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Anzalone, at 32, makes sense as 1 yr deal. He’s solid. He is plug & play, no doubt…But profiles more of a ILB2 type, IMO. (Which is still a significant upgrade vs the 2025 options)
To me, would make much more sense to secure the future by signing at minimum 1 starter level FA that is younger (N.Dean, Q.Walker, M.McFadden, L.Chenal) to 3yr deals for some roster continuity moving forward, while also picking a young ILB on Day1 (Not at 15 but in a trade back scenario) or at #46 on Day2 of the draft for immediate roster upgrade & instant rotational value.
Dennis is ILB3/4 on basically every other roster. Nick Jackson is not that guy either, otherwise he would have gotten some serious run last year.
February 28th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Both David, and Dennis need to be replaced. Having a roster spot waiting for David is a joke. The organization is looking for a feel good ending to a long career. Not improving their football team. It rarely ends well, when a player goes up against father time.
February 28th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
@ Bowles Wasn’t Held Accountable Says
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Name change number 21 (Now you can buy Beer)🤗
February 28th, 2026 at 1:04 pm
No…do not waste time on the Bowzo defense….go for all offense.
February 28th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
I think these guys would be an improvement over what we have and may have to bridge the gap for us to have multiple drafts to reload the defensive front seven. So yes, we should go after some guys who can give us two years, while we continue to draft better defensive players.
February 28th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
Joe loves this idea and here is why: Tough guy Lions coach Dan Campbell would never have a linebacker as a five-year starter unless he was tough as nails and physical. And Joe thinks that is just what the Bucs lack.
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But why would the Lions let him walk in that case?
But biggest thing, speed — is the guy slow?
Personally I don’t care about ‘physical’ play – you can get all the tough guys you want, if they’re too slow to be in position to make a play, it doesn’t matter.
February 28th, 2026 at 5:52 pm
Well, we see his upside. But what difference will it make? Bowles doesn’t coach to a guy’s strengths; he makes them play to some convoluted idea in his own head.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
he’s literally in the process of losing a step…
dude was beasting a couple years ago
February 28th, 2026 at 10:22 pm
He’s better than what we have right now, Dennis needs to go.
February 28th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
Double Todds will have him playing like 2024 KJ Britt in no time,
March 1st, 2026 at 3:00 am
He is my number 1 target in FA. He is one of the best LBs in coverage in the NFL and his PFF numbers reflect that as well as the fact he is improving year over year not declining. He is a sure tackler and a decent blitzer. The Lions gave LB Derrick Barnes a 3yr/$24 million deal last offseason. Anzalone was pissed and held out of camp but got no new deal. The Lions have to extend All-Pro LB Jack Campbell soon so Anzalone is just the odd man out.
3yrs/$27 million. He is worth it and will probably have offers for $10 per season.
March 2nd, 2026 at 12:57 am
Liked him at FL and he has given us fits in the Pros. But 31 year old LBs tend to trend downwards. We have been very fortunate with LVD. I woud sign him but I am not sure he is worth the money. Projected 7.5 per year? Not gonna bet on Dennis. So…go for it Jason!
Go Bucs!