Todd Bowles Talks Christian Rozeboom
April 13th, 2026
The Panthers’ leading tackler last season, Christian Rozeboom, now plays for the Buccaneers.
Joe thinks it was a highly underrated signing.
Consider the sad and inexperienced inside linebacker play Bucs fans have witnessed the past two seasons. Joe apologizes for directing brains down that path.
Rozeboom just turned 29, so he’s not washed out, and he carries a Super Bowl ring from the Los Angeles Rams. In 2024, he led the Rams in tackles before moving to Carolina in free agency for $3.4 million.
Yeah, Rozeboom has holes in his game and he’s probably a Bucs backup after Tampa Bay drafts an inside linebacker next week, but this guy is no J.J. Russell.
Joe asked Todd Bowles about Rozeboom 14 days ago at the NFC Coaches Breakfast in Phoenix.
“I think he was a very good addition. He’s very tough,” Bowles said of Rozeboom. “He can play inside, he can play either linebacker spot and he’s a very good special teams player, as well. I think from a depth standpoint with Alex [Anzalone] coming on and him coming on we are a lot deeper at the ‘backer position than we were — with guys that have played in a bunch of ball games. So we’re really happy to have him, really glad he came [to Tampa].”
While Bowles trains his inside linebackers to be interchangable, he noted that newcomer Anzalone is unlikely to play the “Mike” likebacker role but Roseboom is.
April 13th, 2026 at 10:37 am
Long as he’s no Voss Dennis.
April 13th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Canales probably figured since he plays the Bucs twice a year and this Rozeboom will play for his former “boss” (ahem ahem) it’s a net gain for the Panthers. Rozeboom will join the legion of confused whiffers actively regressed by the Genius. Canales will exploit that and Rozeboom will look exactly like SirSucksAlot Dennis flailing around like a headless chicken,
April 13th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Well let’s hope he adds to the depth and is a plus on ST, because ST has been pretty poor over the last few years with last year being the worst. As fas as LB goes , boy do we need help. Presently Anzalone appears to be the only real starter, depth is pretty poor as well. I believe we need 2 more LBs that can play and a few more decent guys for depth. Let’s hope Dennis never plays LB again and is relagated to ST or does not even make the 53 man roster. Yes, that postion is in dire straights currently.
April 13th, 2026 at 10:47 am
Thinks its a great depth signing. Panthers fans dont like the guy from everything I’ve seen.
April 13th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Got a feeling that the Bucs will draft TWO ILBs this year; 1 Rnd 1 or Rnd 2 draft pick who can start at MLB, plus another ILB in Rnd 4 or 5 who’s speedy for weakside/strongside.
Fully expect that Anzalone & Rozeboom will get to finish out their careers here in Bucsland. They’re both talented veterans with solid leadership skills. And that’s exactly what the Bucs REALLY need right now.
April 13th, 2026 at 10:52 am
He’s terrible in coverage similar to SVD. Which is bad, since teams pass on us on first and second down a lot. Which, of course, is most likely when he will be on the field. Hopefully not ever on third down!
April 13th, 2026 at 10:53 am
With Anzalone and Roseboom, the Bucs will have the best hair in the south…
April 13th, 2026 at 10:57 am
The Bucs need young, speedy, versatile ILBs that can stay with RBs, and TEs
They can keep slapping a bandaid on the wound
But it’s not a solution to their problems, it’s just making it worse
April 13th, 2026 at 10:59 am
And the Frenchman, Le Douch’ Canoe’ speaks.
April 13th, 2026 at 11:04 am
I’m in agreement Lakeland.
April 13th, 2026 at 11:08 am
starting to warm up to A.Hill out of Texas….
IMO, IOL & DT for greater needs
GO BUCS!!!!
April 13th, 2026 at 11:09 am
Bowzo Boom Boom defense! Prep for more of the same old 50/50 Bowzo.
April 13th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Added veteran depth to compete for the starting gig. We obviously have SVD still who’ll still be in play, but we’ll 100% add a rookie(or two) to up the level of competition for that starting gig.
We’re looking for that MIKE/STACK backer heading into the draft. Ideally, that’s someone who can also flip roles with Anzalone who I feel is our “MO” that’ll play the weakside and take trips with RBs & TEs in/out of the box.
April 13th, 2026 at 11:39 am
Lakeland thinks the Bucs are in great shape if we just draft like he wants. BS! This team is so full of failed draft picks that just sick around it’s no wonder we had this poor year. Get new blood in here from FA’s, undrafted players and even that summer league and let them sort out who to keep after the draft. Just like JTS stuck around for years, SVD and others in the TE group are wasting roster spots.
April 13th, 2026 at 11:57 am
I’m not saying they draft the players l like
All I’m saying is they should draft versatile players
Solid 3 down players that produce at a high level.
And quit drafting these bums
April 13th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
We can be a great football team with great football players
Or we can be a mediocre team with mediocre players
April 13th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
developmental player early on in his career…to the point where he is now developed…tough and cerebral in regards to the game…
should be a great pick up at this point in his career…borderline starter, depending on how things pan out with the draft…
also could start the season as an ilb draftee matures a bit…and eventually unseats him of the starter role
April 13th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Lakeland: The Bucs have had 2 losing seasons out of the last 4. Even if the Bucs hit the jackpot in the draft, they still have the same HC/DC, who is far from great.
April 13th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
anyone see this news on bain?
April 13th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
looks like im late to the news
April 13th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
3.28.Evans and HC Grover are sisters
April 13th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Smoke Porterhouse
Eventually the Bucs will have to clean house
If this season is a failure, the house cleaning has to begin
I wasn’t for cleaning the house last season, because they lost close games
And they were competing every week with a different lineup
But they have a full off-season to right the ship
And l believe they will fix the leaks, with a quality draft
I think they did a good job in free agency, adding depth
I think they will succeed this season
April 13th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
It’s all part of the JL illusion to keep all his picks to show what a great draft genius he thinks he is. Doesn’t matter how ineffective they are. Bowles has to keep rolling them out there to get beaten. Rozeboom needs to be rotational at best and on ST. We definitely need to draft 2 ILB and 2 corners if we don’t get a solid FA corner. The constant dumpster diving for camp fodder is ridiculous. Maybe a solid edge falls to us in round 3 or 4 but more liable to find the second ILB there. McDonald is a must somehow, even if you have to reach in round 1. There are some great WR for the later rounds. If they really want a TE they can hope for Stowers in round 3 but I think he goes in 2. Otherwise wait until 6 or 7. Zac will get over it. JL has a chance to shine. Draft can’t come soon enough.
April 13th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Slightly random, but still on topic of ILB….
Why did Bucs never bring back in Olakunle Fatukasi for another look-see? He killed it in preseason (not that, that means a lot or a little), made the 53 as an UDFA, got picked up on waivers and when he’s become available again, we have never brought him back, even though he’s still super young….
I was just curious if anyone knew why we was never at least brought him back on the PS, yet we are seeing guys like JJ Russell and KJ Britt and Nick Jackson and John Bullock, etc.
April 13th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
When Bowles speaks, no one listens.
He’s on auto pilot with zero consequences to his actions. Greta job security if you can find it.
2026 will just be on repeat from last year. Communication and scheme will be the jargon we hear at nauseum.
Just gotta fan it better I suppose.
April 13th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
When Bowles said they wanted more size what he meant to say was we wanted more size across the DLine and more hair with our ILBers.
April 13th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
If we draft one of Golday or Rodriguez or Rolder, etc. and after signing Anzalone and Rozeboom, we sure have gone pretty white at the position. Next we are gonna have a Jason Seehorn type cornerback makeover at this rate.
Being silly of course. As long as we get some better athleticism at the position this year and guys with instincts like LVD. That’s what we lacked at ILB last season. On top of the Bruce Arians ME’s from a certain Dennis.
Please draft well with our ILB pick Jason & Bowles!
April 13th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
p.s. can’t wait for your post on Joel Glazer’s recent Baker Mayfield comments
It’s a really smart play by Glazers for an always listening and watching Baker who will of course hear this and get an ownership boost that will def reflect in his play this upcoming season
This is gonna be one helluva make or break it type season it seems!
April 13th, 2026 at 1:09 pm
Voss gets a bad rap. If you judge him on the 2nd half of the year he was playing much better. Knowing now how the 54 came in out of shape due to a knee injury the poor play by the Lbers makes more sense. JJ Russel catching strays in this article is kinda low too. If you call someone a JK Britt it’s not just a insult you’re describing a player who was great in college but limited in the NFL because they a play kinda stiff, move forward well but not a sideline to sideline player. Insulting these top tier athletes that were 100x better than you were in your prime always bothers me.
April 13th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
stanglassman
great post!!!!!
i agree with you
GO BUCS!!!!
April 13th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
The best part is, he will be Mayfield’s teammate for years to come because the Glazers have come out and said, they will be glad to pay whatever it takes to keep BM6 in Tampa. They said “it doesn’t hurt at all to write that big check, Baker has went above and beyond anything we could have asked or hoped for”. Well, well, well… out of all the bad mouthing the haters have done about BM6 and their incessant scheming over the last 3 years has got them nothing!!
This puts the 7 or 8 loudmouth haters in the “stupid” category. At a minimum it puts them in the, “I dont know anything about football” category. They talked and talked saying, Mike Evans left for a better quarterback, stop with the injured excuses they said, Mayfield is nothing more than an average quarterback, he’ll be gone next year. The childish and ignorant complaining never stopped. Well, now the folks that KNOW how good BM6 really is are willing to pay him whatever it takes to keep him here, in Tampa Bay. Melvin jr., Munch, Bee, o’neil, Lakeland, bigbucs, 813bucboi, Warren Brooks Lynch you all are total buffoons and are experts in the art of buffoonery. Utter and total imbeciles about football talent. If we knew who they were and could see them, they would never show their faces in public again. 99.9% wrong on everything they have said. It is truly embarrassing to be so wrong, so many times. The OWNERS and coaches love him. Baker Mayfield is here to stay!!! GET USED TO IT!! And by the way, try thinking before you text from now on. The measuring stick you should use, is what im getting ready to write reality. If its not reality dont text it!! It might save you from further embarrassment.
April 13th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
One of the most negative boards on the internet. But thanks to Defense Rules because his post are realistic filled with both positive and negative critique.
With the added pieces so far and a highly anticipated Defense heavy draft, I am willing to give these guys the benefit of seeing what they can do.
I am sure the backbenchers will be around ready to pounce, but if this a good season they will act like they never said anything.
April 13th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
He signed a vet min deal, with no guaranteed money.
I think he’s just competing for a roster spot more than anything else. Probably more as a special team guy.
But hey, if he can play, isn’t too slow, then it’s a great deal. At the same time, why would the Panthers let their leading tackler walk for vet minimum money?
April 13th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
“Melvin jr., Munch, Bee, o’neil, Lakeland, bigbucs, 813bucboi, Warren Brooks Lynch you all are total buffoons and are experts in the art of buffoonery.”
Oof, reeks of low vibrations and lacking emotional intelligence. Let me guess, you read the report of the Glazers’ quote from the owners meeting and thought “Aha” I have some people I need to address directly for their opinions I don’t like lol
How are the kids saying it? Go touch grass ma’boy
April 13th, 2026 at 3:28 pm
813bucboi Says:
April 13th, 2026 at 11:08 am
starting to warm up to A.Hill out of Texas….
———-
He looks pretty great – but also seems to be rocketing up boards so he might not make it to the middle of the 2nd.
Personally, I like Kyle Louis, he just reminds me so much of the undersized, great in coverage, Bucs LB that they’ve had so much success with. Not saying he’ll be the next Brooks or David, but fast guys, who have great instincts, who cover a bunch of ground – those guys tend to do really well. But Hill is next, then Rodriguez.
Meanwhile, the guy rated the highest with the ILBs, is CJ Allen, and while he looks fine, he doesn’t really jump off the screen to me like the other guys.
Golday and Trotter I don’t like, they both have issues in coverage. Golday, in particular, is bad in coverage and seems to not have great instincts. Trotter I think can be a good NFL LB, and has a great bloodline, but for the Bucs, I don’t think he’s a great fit – not compared to the other options above.
April 13th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Lead in tackles with 2 different teams,hes a football player that’s the name of the game! I like it!
April 13th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
I really think the Bucs have improved the talent level . STs should be better by a long shot ( ST s couldn’t get worse) so that will help & thats a good place to start. If our Offense can improve to the 2024 level & average 30+ points a game Which is possible since our new OC has the Rams back ground & isn’t a OJT project. We have to figure out the injuries, no team in the NFL can sustain success with the injuries we had last year. The players that the Bucs have signed so far in FA are definitely a upgrade , more aggressive attitudes, better leaders , they may not be A+ free agents but i believe they are a definitely a upgrade. Maybe after the draft we sign another pass rusher , who knows ,Still Wish we would hire a DC to just concentrate on running the Defense , GO BUCCANEERS THEY CAN DO IT!!!!!
April 13th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I really think the Bucs have improved the talent level . STs should be better by a long shot ( ST s couldn’t get worse) so that will help & thats a good place to start. If our Offense can improve to the 2024 level & average 30+ points a game Which is possible since our new OC has the Rams back ground & isn’t a OJT project. We have to figure out the injuries, no team in the NFL can sustain success with the injuries we had last year. The players that the Bucs have signed so far in FA are definitely a upgrade , more aggressive attitudes, better leaders , they may not be A+ free agents but i believe they are a definitely a upgrade. Maybe after the draft we sign another pass rusher , who knows ,Still Wish we would hire a DC to just concentrate on running the Defense , GO BUCCANEERS THEY CAN DO IT!!!!!
April 13th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Stanglassman – Great post. I was a huge K.J. Britt fan when he was at Auburn. The guy set the tone on defense and knocked the crap out of guys. Great college player, but not the speed to be an every down ILB in the NFL. That’s why he was drafted in RD5. On the Bucs he was a great special teams guy and solid back up, rotational backer. We made him a starter and he just wasn’t up to it. But not because of lack of effort. The guy is a worker. Just not in the right role.
April 13th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Pff thinks this guy sucks
April 13th, 2026 at 4:20 pm
🤤🤣
April 13th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Jason is giving Tom Stimus a run for his money in inventory….😎
April 13th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
FrontFour … ‘I was a huge K.J. Britt fan when he was at Auburn. The guy set the tone on defense and knocked the crap out of guys. Great college player, but not the speed to be an every down ILB in the NFL. That’s why he was drafted in RD5.’
Excellent analysis on KJ Britt, but as you noted, he didn’t have the speed to be an every down ILB in the NFL. Have seen a number of other players who had the speed, but not the instincts that it takes to be a 3-down LBer. And guys who are good ‘situationally’ seem to spend most of their time on the bench & on S/Ts. Of course there are others (like Devin White?) who have tons of speed & good instincts, but just can’t seem to keep their head on straight. Others just can’t seem to stay out of the tub unfortunately, and miss too many games to really excel.
Makes me appreciate players like Derrick Brooks, Lavonte David & Ronde Barber all the more.
April 13th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
When you play zone and mixed defenses a lot, you better have linebackers that can cover or it leaves the middle of the field wide open.
Sound familiar?
We **better** address it this time, it’s certainly overdue.
April 13th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
Anyone with a pulse is an upgrade from SVD..,
April 13th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
How are you the leading tackler on 2 different teams and suck ??
April 13th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
He knows the division, people here suck, go eat and wing
April 13th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
exposed in passing game thats how
April 13th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Im sure everyone has the tape on this guy and actually knows what they’re looking at
April 13th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
The Bucs plan were to alternate Voc Dennis and KJ Britt
Britt on 1st and 2nd down, Voc on 3rd down, or obvious passing situations
They actually thought Dennis was good in coverage
But Dennis went down early in the season
So Britt became a 3 down MIKE, and he was good, except in coverage
They got rid of Britt, and Dennis became the 3 down MIKE
And Dennis was good, except for his coverage
They will probably get the same results from Rozeboom
Just draft an MIKE with an high football IQ
Who is good against the run, good in coverage, can rush the passer
April 13th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Sounds like the guy runs around and punches people in the mouth! He should start here on this site
April 13th, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Let’s draft flame throwers. Literal flame throwers. Even then the coaching would be such that our guys would be too far away from anyone to use them effectively.
April 13th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
This is a results driven league, no?
As said above, this dude led two different teams in tackles. What did we struggle with last year?
Welcome to the team! Now go tackle someone.
April 13th, 2026 at 7:47 pm
Rozeboom is a fine addition for special teams, but if he sees any amount of significant time in the defensive huddle then we are in a substantial amount of trouble at the ILB position.
April 13th, 2026 at 8:06 pm
Don’t try to get too clever and just take Jacob Rodriguez with 15. This guy would look great in middle of Bucs defense. He is the ultimate center fielder who is willing to hit.
April 13th, 2026 at 8:13 pm
Good show today Joes. @Joe what do you think about Diego Pavia? I call him the Mariachi Mayfield.🇲🇽
April 13th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
Both Detroit and Carolina came out and said they needed to get younger and more athletic at linebacker so had to let their veterans go. So our team gets older and less athletic. Sounds awesome.
April 13th, 2026 at 8:42 pm
Well well well Says:
April 13th, 2026 at 2:54 pm
The best part is, he will be Mayfield’s teammate for years to come because the Glazers have come out and said, they will be glad to pay whatever it takes to keep BM6 in Tampa.
===============================
Let’s all hope that before the ink dries on Mayfield’s new $50mill/yr contract that Munch and his lightweight crew all defect to Jacksonville.