Jason Licht Lauds Alex Anzalone
March 29th, 2026
New Bucs linebacker Alex Anzalone is known for tight coverage.
The Bucs lost a fading legend at inside linebacker and picked up a pesky veteran with plenty left in the tank.
Joe asked readers here if the retirement of iconic Lavonte David is a net positive or a negative for the 2026 roster.
Fans were split. Was that because the Bucs signed Lions free agent linebacker Alex Anzalone in free agency? That’s unclear.
What is clear is that Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht is excited about his new signing.
“He’s always been a little bit of a thorn in our side because of the fact that he’s a tough player, he’s sideline-to-sideline, you know, he’s got all that,” Licht said of Anzalone. “But he’s a really good cover linebacker, which is very, very important in this league since we’re playing against nickel the majority of the time. And it’s been some areas that we’ve struggled in the past and he brings that element, which is really going to be cool to see. It’s good for us. It’s a good asset for us.”
Licht’s comment were delivered to Buccaneers.com.
Joe doesn’t think it’s a stretch to say Anzalone was better in coverage than David was last season. Anzalone also managed 9 official passes defensed. The last time David had that many in a season was 2015. And, of course. fellow Bucs linebacker SirVocea Dennis was sort of lost in coverage last season.
Bucs fans have seen rookie middle linebackers arrive in Tampa and have strong seasons. Mason Foster (2011), Kwon Alexander (2015) and Devin White (2019) come to mind. Alexander, a fourth-round pick, was electric in 12 games as a rookie and posted impressive stats.
If the Bucs can find another hit-the-ground-running rookie at inside linebacker to play alongside Anzalone, the Bucs defense will look a heck of a lot different this season.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:03 pm
Licht needs to be less a hype machine and run silently until he fixes his and TB’s mess. If he knew his fan base, he would know we are jaded and impatient. He is presiding over the Titanic which is sinking fast. We don’t need words we need wins which will be hard to get wit rookies a tier 2 & below FA’s. We are NOT buying what you’re selling.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:07 pm
I think Georgia LB CJ Allen is the perfect fit for this defense
I know most fans on here want Anthony Hill Jr or Jacob Rodriguez
March 29th, 2026 at 10:28 pm
Other teams get a say, too. Glance at the Cowboys or Rams fan sites and you’ll see the same names mentioned for their boards. So Licht has to identify the best prospects AND has to beat the competition to the punch. Fans don’t seem to see that challenge.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:37 pm
We might not get Allen, Hill or Rodriguez
All 3 of them might be gone when we pick in the 2nd round
We’re not the only team that needs Linebackers
March 29th, 2026 at 10:44 pm
Lakeland
I’d rather have any 2 of those three. Wishful thinking I know. Some think you can’t get a starter past round 4, siting SVD as proof. We have to wring as many starters out of this draft as possible, FA and some UDFA as depth also. 2 corners, 2 ILB, DT, DE, OG, and maybe a WR and a TE. Too many holes to expect to get filled with quality starters and depth in one off season. It’s over-reaching to think this front office is capable of repairing the decay they allowed to occur in such a small window.
March 29th, 2026 at 10:51 pm
Todd will have Anzalone playing just like SirVocea Dennis or KJ Britt by early October.
“We want our linebackers to do lots of other things. “
March 29th, 2026 at 10:54 pm
1) Light needs to shut up and stop gaslighting. Over 30 cast offs are not going to fix this horrible defense. It’s slow and structurally flawed at the top. 2) His endorsement is the kiss of death (See JTS and Braswell).:Anzalone will probably have a horrible season and-or be on IR for most of it.
March 29th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
Lakeland, you might be right about Allen. He’s young, but not getting to run at the combine because of a surgery in November puts him behind. Slight meniscus tear might already be healed up. But I think a team has to look at that. If Hill and Rodriguez are gone, which I’d hate, we sure ought to get him though.