Jason Licht: Christian Rozeboom “Kind Of Fits The Mold”
April 2nd, 2026
New Bucs linebacker Christian Rozeboom.
Yes, the Bucs signed the Panthers leading tackler in the second wave of free agency, inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom.
The veteran starter had 122 tackles last season, including 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He had a 135 tackles for the Rams in 2024.
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht talked about Rozeboom this week at the NFL owners meetings in Arizona.
Joe asked Licht why he signed Rozeboom.
“Tough, he’s very instinctive, he’s competitive,” Licht began. “You know, I think he kind of fits the mold of what we’re looking for in the type of attitude that we’re looking for. He’s played a lot of games. He’s been very good on special teams. I think he’s going to compete for a job for significant playing time. But at the end of the day, whatever his role is we’re going to be happy to have him.”
Joe is confident Rozeboom will compete for a starting job with whatever rookie inside linebacker the Bucs draft. Obviously, big money free agent inside linebacker Alex Anzalone will be locked in starter at the other inside linebacker job.
Rozeboom, 29, smells like quality depth. But Joe was intrigued by Licht’s special teams comment on Rozeboom, who did not play special teams last season. Most of his experience there came with the Rams in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
The Bucs really have pushed hard this offseason to improve their special teams. And that started with adding former Steelers special teams coordinator Danny Smith. Man, Joe heard fun and inspiring stories about Smith at the owners meetings. He’s already had a positive impact in various ways.
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:20 am
Hungry, tough, and ST? Jason was paying attention.
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:22 am
Then why was he signed to a 1 year deal? More like he might fill a temporary need AND he was cheap!
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:36 am
Lot better than what Licht put on the field last year
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:38 am
Hard to get excited about a player our rival replaced.
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:39 am
WE’LL SEE LOL
GO BUCS!!!!
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:44 am
Still a lot of wait and see for the offseason before I personally get excited or down on this teams moves. Both excited and nervous for the draft. Hopefully they can hit on some picks to shore up secondary and front seven this year
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:53 am
Great news. Fits the Bowzo Mold. Hmmmm? Yep that D scheme is pretty moldy.
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:00 am
I really like this signing!
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:01 am
And if he makes a critical play in any game to help us win it’s worth it. People seem to forget that’s what guys are paid to do. So be it a ST play, a substitute play or what ever just help the team win. Anyone remember Jack Squirek for the Raiders? Or what he did? Ever? 1 play.
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:02 am
Oh and that play happened in Tampa Stadium
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:36 am
After last year’s injured riddled season the importance of good backup players is critical to a successful season. Jason Licht is signing exactly đź’Ż that. Injuries are part of the game. Last season was different but last year’s season was also a wake up call. Jason Licht’s choices are not breaking the bank but he’s signed quality players that will put the 2025 in the rear view mirror.
Thank you Jason Licht.
April 2nd, 2026 at 9:51 am
Voc Dennis had 101 Tackles, 12 TFL, 3 Sacks, but Dennis stunk in coverage
Rozeboom sucked in coverage more than Dennis
He should be competing with Dennis for a ST role
We need a young, speedy, playmaking ILB
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:23 am
This is what improving your depth is supposed to look like.
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:37 am
We added Killebrew also – an ace gunner. ST’s *should* be improved this year.
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:47 am
Hodad … Panthers’ defense finished ranked #15 and the Bucs’ defense ended up ranked #20. Rozeboom was the Panthers leading tackler. Sounds like a move in the right direction for the Bucs.
Possibly wrong, but I predict Rozeboom will replace LVD initially (with Anzalone replacing SVD).
Rozeboom had 2 sacks last year, with 2 QB hits plus 7 TFLs & 1 FF plus 122 tackles (59 solo). That’s fairly good productivity for starting 15 games (823 def snaps). He seems to be fairly good at pass defense too (3 PD with a 72.9% Completion Average Allowed) with only 1 TD allowed.
Assuming that he replaces LVD, compare those stats to Lavonte’s from last year: 3.5 sacks last year, with 6 QB hits plus 8 TFLs & 2 FF plus 114 tackles (61 solo), starting 17 games (1023 def snaps). Lavonte also had 3 PD with a 73.1% Completion Average Allowed but was charged with 7 TDs allowed.
Overall Rozeboom’s 2025 stats are fairly similar to LVD’s so we shouldn’t lose much on the field IF he in fact ends up starting for LVD. We might actually gain a little bit in terms of better pass coverage.
One of the key things I’ll be looking for early in the season is how Bowles will change the defense to better incorporate several new defenders in his scheme. I’m HOPING that he’ll get back to being a LOT more aggressive on defense (he’s backed away from that in these last 2 years, and it’s cost him).
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:51 am
Lakeland … ‘Rozeboom sucked in coverage more than Dennis’.
That’s NOT what his stats say Lakeland. Rozeboom allowed a 72.9% Pass Completion Rate with 1 TD allowed last year, while Dennis allowed a 85.0% Pass Completion Rate with 3 TDs allowed last year. That’s a sizeable difference.
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:56 am
Defense Rules,
I think a lot of this stats was misleading
I watched the Bucs games closely, and l seen something different
LVD was the weak link, and Dennis was getting the bulk of the blame
Everything that went wrong, they were blaming Dennis
Why did PFF give Rozeboom a lower grade than Dennis ?
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:57 am
Rozeboom had 19 missed tackles
And the passer rating against him was something like 108 3
April 2nd, 2026 at 10:59 am
Miles Killebrew is an underrated s/t signing as well. Can’t wait to have competent 4th down play.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:03 am
Christian Rozeboom
109.3 passer rate allowed
19 missed tackles
47.1 PFF grade
Voc Dennis
114 9 passer rate allowed
14 missed tackles
49.3 PFF grade
My point is they both stunk.
And they should be competing against each other for a ST role
We need a young, speedy, athletic, playmaking ILB
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:07 am
The best Special Teams player (Dennis or Rozeboom) should make the roster
Neither one of them should see the field on defense
Unless we have no other options
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:12 am
We replaced Devin White with KJ Britt
We replaced KJ Britt with Voc Dennis
Now we wanna replace Voc Dennis with Christian Rozeboom
This is the Mentality of a Bottom Feeder
Not the mentality of a Championship Contender
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:19 am
The reality of the situation
We’ve been trying to replace a Top 5 draft pick
With two 5th rounders, and a UDFA
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:20 am
I like what Jason is doing. Most don’t realize but he’s adding toughness, heart and juice to a defense that was soft and looked at times scared. If we do draft the Miami edge rusher who is violent man tbis defense can come back. It’s the same defense that won us a SB. I agree with everyone it’s bin trash since after the 21 season. We almost made another run after our 2020. Bowles just needs the right players. He did it with a beast in suh Shaq vea JPP LVD white was a beast in the post season. He did it before and he can do it again just needs some dawgs
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:29 am
BigZ Says:
“Then why was he signed to a 1 year deal? More like he might fill a temporary need AND he was cheap!”
I would have signed him to a 3 year deal myself. But, I don’t know the inner plans of Jason Licht. Maybe the players wanted a prove-it deal to show he is worth more money? IDK.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:30 am
Defense Rules Says:
“Possibly wrong, but I predict Rozeboom will replace LVD initially (with Anzalone replacing SVD). ”
I think so too. Rozeboom actually had better stats than Lavante Davis last year (slightly).
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:31 am
Jason Licht is quietly building a defense that may end up very dominant.
This also removes ILB from our draft needs.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:33 am
#1bucsfan Says:
“I like what Jason is doing. Most don’t realize but he’s adding toughness, heart and juice…”
At first it didn’t look all that spectacular…but as he’s signed new guys, a picture is forming. The man is a genius. This move may just push us into a top 12 defense or better.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:37 am
“This also removes ILB from our draft needs.”
No, it does not.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:48 am
What is the mold? Old and cheap? Let Bush, Dean, Chenal and other young promising LBs get picked up by improving teams. This is just temporary patchwork. We did not get better. We just put in someone different to quiet the complaints. Presumably, the draft pick will take over sooner rather than later so we won’t see too much Rozeboom. The one year contracts show all you need to know about how much confidence there is in these replacements.
April 2nd, 2026 at 11:53 am
he fits the mold of not being able to cover tight ends just ask any panthers fan
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:21 pm
‘Boom should not be a starter. Carolina let him go for a reason, so they don’t see him as a starter either. He’s a run stopper, so not valuable in a 3rd down sub package. Early in the season, he will likely share some time with a 2nd round rookie ILB opposite of Anzalone.
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Rozeboom will probably be a fine backup. I’m more inclined to go with actual stats than PFF. The “tribe” is ok if you just want a quick opinion from a bar stool buddy, but that’s about all they really are. At least they’ve heard of the guy and maybe watched some of his film. I’ll probably get to watch him myself come fall. He seems to be reasonably durable, though he missed a couple of games last year. According to Google he was inconsistent in coverage and the Panthers just wanted somebody better. I’m sure he’s a fine backup. Ya can’t pay everybody big bucks. This guy is at least competent.
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:24 pm
There is enough mold on this defense to doom any team. The source is obvious as is the refusal to do anything about it.
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Reading a bit more about him he was an UFA in 2020. I’d say he did alright for himself.
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:48 pm
“Kind of fits the Mold”. Anzalone is currently our green dot linebacker. Rozeboom is, like Anzalone, a good player who works hard. Both are getting older. And slower. I was really hoping we’d find us a linebacker who has the ability to keep up with some of the young playmakers in the league. I’d start with younger. And faster. And stronger. And HUNGRIER. I mean, what could it hurt?
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:53 pm
So he lead the Panthers in tackles… and yet they didn’t want him back even at a veteran minimum salary.
That says everything.
Sounds like he’s more of a special teams guy who maybe can be a depth piece at LB, if he makes the team.
April 2nd, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Dave Canales is slowly building a contender with young players
The guy ( Delvin Lloyd) who replaced Rozeboom
Is 27 years old with a PFF score of 89.1,
A 69.2 passer rate against him
April 2nd, 2026 at 1:44 pm
Yeah I wanted Lloyd *so badly* here. But he’s very expensive when there’s utterly fantastic linebackers in the draft all the way down to Kyle Louis at least. More ILB’s that are really good than is usual, that’s for sure…we damn well better take one of them! I don’t trust Rozeboom to start all year.
April 2nd, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Jacob Rodriguez had a pff score of 93- the highest in all of college football for instance.
April 2nd, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Lakeland … Rozeboom’s not without warts to be sure, and that’s probably why Carolina moved on from him (they took the opportunity to upgrade the position with Lloyd).
Rozeboom isn’t ‘THE ANSWER’ at ILB to be sure, but he should be good depth. I think he’s got a good chance to start the season because of his experience (I think that’s what Bowles is leaning towards right now in all the replacements), and that whoever we draft as a ILB (hopefully Anthony Hill Jr or JRod) will gradually gain experience. We’ve seen him do that with lots of others (especially OLBs it seems). No Bucs’ MLB has lasted longer than 1 season since Devin White left.
And BTW, like you, ‘I think a lot of stats are misleading’, although I think they’re getting better with NexGen. Missed tackles can be one of those for some players, but there are many others. Pro-Football-Reference has Rozeboom with a 12.3% Missed Tackle Percentage last year, based on 17 missed tackles. and a career Missed Tackle Rate of 10.8%. Kinda leads me to believe also that tackling isn’t his strong suit, but he’s not alone as a Buc (Dennis had a 12.9% last season, with a career 11.7%; LVD had a 10.2% last year, with a career 8.0%).
April 2nd, 2026 at 2:06 pm
StPeteMatt … ‘Yeah I wanted Lloyd *so badly* here.’
I would’ve loved it if the Bucs had signed Devin Lloyd too, but not a chance in he11. It cost the Panthers a 3-year contract at $14 mil per year to get Lloyd to replace Rozeboom. BTW, Carolina is putting some BIG BUCKS (and high draft picks) into their defense, and I bet they’ll move up from last season’s #15 ranking this year. I don’t know about their depth, but their starting defensive talent looks pretty impressive.
The Panthers also signed Edge Jaelon Phillips BTW on a 4-yr, $120 mil contract. He’s had a decent career, but I can’t see paying him $30 mil a year for what he’s accomplished.
April 2nd, 2026 at 3:02 pm
St.PeteMatt
We shouldn’t have to be depending on the draft for this LB spot. Lloyd was the dream replacement but as you noted, highly expensive. There were many other suitable LBs on the FA market JL let slip by despite the affordability and quality. Some even under 10 mil. and several others under 15.
The middle of our defense is not improved. Maybe weaker. Izien and Dean gone. No corner back depth and highly questionable “starters”, who could be league worst. No safety depth unless you want to count practice squad callups. Anzalone about equivalent to aged LVD and Rozeboom a Panther reject little better than SVD. Robinson should be an upgrade over Hall but Gaines has not been replaced. Yet TBD whether Muhammad is not a Reddick clone.
We’re basically status quo, hoping to get bailed out by not making any mistakes in the draft. Maybe Kancey plays more than three games. Maybe we draft McDonald or McClellan to shore up the Dline. Maybe we get one or two of the great LBs early and luck into a couple corners. A lot of uncertainty could have been avoided by more effort and strategy during early FA. It just doesn’t seem like Management is really serious about getting better. More like a lot of lip service and hoping.
April 2nd, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
“This also removes ILB from our draft needs.”
No, it does not.”
They signed two ILB. A team that plans to draft one doesn’t sign two.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:03 pm
I fully expect Rozeboom to start. No rookie is going to soak in the Bowles system that fast.
Rozeboom was the leading tackler on his team (both the Rams and Panthers) the last two seasons and easily would have been the leading tackler on the Bucs the past two seasons, as well. Why wouldn’t he start?
The rookie(s) is/are the depth piece(s). Especially considering Rozeboom is only on a one year deal.
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Rod Munch said: “So he lead the Panthers in tackles… and yet they didn’t want him back even at a veteran minimum salary.”
If you were a free agent, wouldn’t you want to see if you could get more than the veteran’s minimum instead of settling for that with the Panthers?
The Bucs signed him for more than the veteran’s minimum with incentives that would pay him almost double that, should he meet them.
It’s like saying the Bucs didn’t want Logan Hall back even at the veteran minimum salary. I bet you the Bucs would have loved to get him back at that. Ridiculous statement!
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Defense Rules said: “The Panthers also signed Edge Jaelon Phillips BTW on a 4-yr, $120 mil contract. He’s had a decent career, but I can’t see paying him $30 mil a year for what he’s accomplished.”
Yeah, me neither. Especially with his injury history. A season ending Achilles injury in 2023, a season ending torn ACL in 2024 and a knee injury that kept him out of camp last year.
He did play 17 games last year and had a total of 53 tackles and five whole sacks and people are poo-pooing Rozeboom who we are paying 1/20th that amount?
The Panthers WAAAAAAAY overpaid for that guy!
April 2nd, 2026 at 5:44 pm
Bonsai,
They are 100% drafting a Ilber.
Rozeboom is a depth piece signed to a 1 yr deal and will help ST.
He absolutely sucks in coverage, the area SVD struggles in.
They 100% need to and will draft another Lber that will end up starting.
The Rozeboom signing changes nothing in regards to needing a young, athletic, play making Lber.
April 2nd, 2026 at 6:57 pm
Don’t understand these signings. Muncher assures us that Bucs have a great defense, great special teams and the best 4th string OG’s and OT’s in the league.
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:27 pm
Free agency and retirement took 40 million off the payroll.
Looks lije we are the football version of the rays trying to turn journeyman into core players
April 2nd, 2026 at 7:56 pm
Wouldn’t it have made more sense to combine Anzalone and Rozeboom’s money to sign Devin Lloyd? Then we could have drafted either Hill Jr. or Rodriguez to have 2 pretty terrifying inside linebackers! In fact, the whole defense would have been pretty well transformed had we done that. Any idea why not? Will Baker be too expensive for that to have happened?
April 2nd, 2026 at 8:46 pm
The Westminster Dog Show trotted out some prospects who would be just as apt under His Tutelage as any college player Jason could draft. Might not be cheaper but sure would be more fun.
Let’s have another drink.