Cap Casualty?
February 17th, 2026
Clock ticking?
Anthony Nelson has known no other NFL defensive coordinator than Todd Bowles. Will that change this fall?
Now is the time of year when front office suits have to decide who is earning their salaries and who can be spared. With the new league year on March 11, teams are looking to whittle salaries to make room for new free agents and later, signing drafted players.
Veteran NFL columnist Dan Pompei of The Athletic is looking at potential salary cap cuts coming in the next couple of weeks. Pompei is looking at Anthony Nelson possibly getting the ziggy.
The Bucs don’t have a glaring candidate to be cut who could save significant cap space, but Nelson, a holdover from Super Bowl LV, has been the subject of speculation. Soon to be 29, Nelson had three sacks last season and is going into the last year of a contract that calls for him to be paid $4.5 million. Cutting him would clear a path for second-year pass rusher David Walker, who missed his rookie season with an ACL tear and is attempting a return.
Well, the Bucs desperately need inside linebackers. The way Joe looks at it, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht needs to bring in three linebackers (assuming Lavonte David retires). Sign two guys and draft one; sign one guy and draft two; sign three or draft three, whatever.
If Licht needs to unload salary to sign an impact linebacker, then the Bucs may need to move on from Nelson, who is a quality backup. But damn it, the Bucs need a stud on the field to start, not backups.
Perhaps the Bucs could rework Nelson’s contract? That’s fine to Joe, but at the end of the day, the Bucs need starting inside linebackers. If that means Nelson is a victim, well, the NFL is a business. Sometimes a cold business.
February 17th, 2026 at 12:08 am
I barely saw him play, and have no idea why Bowles would choose to do that. He is a good player, and better than those that are not backup. I say draft a few quality players, do trades, get them in free agency. Really do something.
February 17th, 2026 at 12:30 am
Anthony Nelson is the definition of quality role player, who has a knack for showing up in big moments. 4.5 million is pittance. How about the 12 mil in saving from no reddick who did jack squat last year?!
February 17th, 2026 at 1:10 am
“Cutting him would clear a path for second-year pass rusher David Walker”. Joe, I’m an optimist, true, but I’ve got this feeling that David Walker is the kind of football player that isn’t going to need alot of help clearing that path. And whoever is managing the budget should make room for Nelson.
February 17th, 2026 at 1:16 am
Was our best pass rusher sadly. Funny we cant draft anyone to save our lives then when we have someone who is our best we cut him.
In the end its no loss but he was our best
February 17th, 2026 at 1:53 am
Eh, 3 to 3.5 for one year, then if he blows up, he gets more next year, he is quality bu so I’d hate to see him go since we’re thin there.
February 17th, 2026 at 2:11 am
Next year will be the year Braswell will surprise everyone, too!🙄🤦
February 17th, 2026 at 2:46 am
Nelson is that nice 2nd backup who shines once a year. Last season in New Orleans and the season before in Carolina when the Bucs were on the ropes but he is usually invisible. Better than Braswell so he has been a good 4th round Licht selection but it might be time for him to move on given the cap and how below average the Bucs are at his position.
February 17th, 2026 at 2:52 am
Cap casualty?? Cutting Nelson will only save 600K not sure that is a good move to give up a good back up for that kinda money.
February 17th, 2026 at 3:47 am
DestinJohnny, there is no ‘we’. It is JL & TB. It is ‘they’.
February 17th, 2026 at 5:15 am
Ask him to sign an incentive heavy contract. No guarantee how Walker will be coming off injury.
February 17th, 2026 at 6:19 am
Brilliant Guru Stuff. Keep Bowzo Dump Nelson
February 17th, 2026 at 7:25 am
Id be shopping that all world midget safety who takes a bigger bite than his value out of the cap, AWJ. Im sorry, but I’d like to see a S willing to hit patrolling our soft zone. Seriously, if you’re give up 10 yd/play, you might as well make them pay for it.
February 17th, 2026 at 7:27 am
Probowl Defensive MVP, pffft. If that’s your biggest honor in a season, say no more
February 17th, 2026 at 7:28 am
Shouldn’t there be talk of Dean not returning?
February 17th, 2026 at 7:38 am
“If Licht needs to unload salary to sign an impact linebacker, then the Bucs may need to move on from Nelson, who is a quality backup. But damn it, the Bucs need a stud on the field to start, not backups.”
I’m almost certain we’ll restructure players to free up cap over cutting a low cost player like Nelly. Not only would his role as a rotational player need to be filled, but we’d have to replace his spots on special teams as well. I like Nelly, still think he’s the best run defender in that and the his size gives us that 4-3 DE length we had in a player like JPP.
We don’t need to clear roster space for David Walker. All we need him to do is stay healthy and upright through camp.
February 17th, 2026 at 7:39 am
LOL he will go to a team that knows how to use DEs. He will sacks than any Bucs next year.
David Walker won’t get more than 2 sacks…. If he even plays.
Another Licht Loser