NFC South Free Agent Linebacker On Radar?
January 11th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
Hard to believe, but in exactly two months, legal tampering begins to make way for the free agency dinner bell ringing March 13.
The Bucs need a lot of help on defense. A lot of help. They might need a corner if Jamel Dean leaves (Joe’s lost some confidence in Zyon McCollum and Joe is not sold on Benjamin Morrison) and will need linebackers (plural) and likely will have to spend big money on an edge rusher.
One answer at linebacker could be Dixie Chicks LB Kaden Elliss. That’s the word from the man who invented DVOA, Aaron Schatz, typing for BSPN.
Big prediction for the offseason: With help required at inside linebacker, the Bucs will steal Kaden Elliss from the rival Falcons in free agency. He would be perfect in those Bowles blitz packages after 3.5 sacks in 2025.
Well, if the Bucs have to buy a linebacker — and they should, both in free agency and the draft — why not steal from your rival?
Joe is a big believer in bolstering your roster by taking from your rival. Make your rival weaker while you get stronger. That’s chess, not checkers.
January 11th, 2026 at 12:03 am
Yes we need a host of LB’s. 2 New Starters that can play who knows what Defense we will be playing!!
January 11th, 2026 at 12:07 am
He won’t do it. I think he should and grab the kid from Texas Tech, you maybe can even trade back and still get him but you need to draft him.🤙🏾
January 11th, 2026 at 12:07 am
ILB needs lots of attention this off-season, no doubt. Probably need to bring in 3 outside guys. I am concerned that we put our faith in in-house guys that CLEARLY couldn’t get the job done 2 seasons in a row now. Is there some kind of issue evaluating the position?
January 11th, 2026 at 12:15 am
Listening to Packers sports talk… hilarious. Yelling callers saying the coach has to be fired, HAS TO BE FIRED, or the stadium will be empty next year.
January 11th, 2026 at 12:15 am
Nakobi Dean
January 11th, 2026 at 12:16 am
But can he play CB? He’ll be doing that a lot!!
January 11th, 2026 at 12:18 am
Sonny styles, then kenyata jackson…thats all the research ive done and not doing anymore since todd wont use them correctly anyway.
January 11th, 2026 at 12:28 am
Mesidor round 2!
Yeah, I briefly read a packer blog and they want MLF gone.
Said hes average, LOL. Hes wasting Love..
Funny, his kicker missed a kick, penalties at the end, 10 sec run off and conservative D cost them. MLF would not a job before he cleaned out his office.
January 11th, 2026 at 12:30 am
Hope he can drop back in coverage
January 11th, 2026 at 12:52 am
Mad max I hope styles is there @ 15 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
January 11th, 2026 at 12:59 am
Dean can go, he gets hurt every other game. He’s not dependable.
January 11th, 2026 at 1:01 am
The thing is guys I can’t trust these two HC&Gm I can’t
Mid season collapse like every year week Free agents scouting.
No trade at the deadline to help the team. This sucks we should’ve fired his ass.
January 11th, 2026 at 1:01 am
Anyone the Bucs sign will be ruined by Clownzo. Might as well bring SirSucksAlot back and watch him regress, it won’t be any better.
January 11th, 2026 at 1:22 am
There is this super fast highly drafted LB that already knows the system and would be a perfect fit.
January 11th, 2026 at 1:26 am
If Arvell Reese falls to 8th or further bucs should immediately move up and get him. I don’t think he will last past the 4th pick but stranger things have happened. .
January 11th, 2026 at 1:32 am
The fan base of every team that loses wants to can the coach. Watch Buffalo if they lose their playoff game. They already hate that guy.
January 11th, 2026 at 1:40 am
Rod Munch Says:
January 11th, 2026 at 1:22 am
There is this super fast highly drafted LB that already knows the system and would be a perfect fit.
Wait🤣🤣🤣 how we going to draft a linebacker who already knows the system and you have
players who’s been on this team who don’t know the system. 🤣🤣🤣👏🏾👏🏾
January 11th, 2026 at 1:57 am
On who’s radar? Can’t be the Bucs. We very rarely sign anybody.
January 11th, 2026 at 2:33 am
He’s talking about devin white (who i pushed for)…surely he wants to stay away.
But since its a trash year anyway, as long as he’s cheap, go for it….bring jameis back too as a bu…
January 11th, 2026 at 4:30 am
“Joe is a big believer in bolstering your roster by taking from your rival. Make your rival weaker while you get stronger. That’s chess, not checkers.”
This might be one of the reasons the Glazers kept Coach Bowles. The ultimate chess move would be to take a rivals’ head coach. He has intimate knowledge of *every* player, as well as the thought process of the GM and his scouts.
January 11th, 2026 at 4:38 am
Good article on the 2026 NFL off-season too. Hope we keep Mike. I have this dread he will go to TX. With $26.4 million cap, first round pick 15, and so much more; Jason has a lot of wheeling and dealing to do.
We are the same as the Saints on the cap and they have the first round 8th pick. I love Baker, but we also need a solid backup QB that can come in and do the job when he is injured and also be mentored for the future. Kyle and Teddy were not it.
January 11th, 2026 at 5:19 am
Get familiar with the name Shad Banks!!!
January 11th, 2026 at 5:34 am
Warren Brooks Lynch – Good suggestion about Shad Banks.
January 11th, 2026 at 6:02 am
Saw Shad Banks, yea he fits the type of backer this head coach gets. Would be a nice late round backer to pick up.🤙🏾
January 11th, 2026 at 6:13 am
Kaden Ellis is over 30. What’s his upside?
Wouldn’t you rather go after some younger free agents from winning franchises –
Somebody like Green Bay Quay Walker… who is younger, a starter, winning franchise, bigger upside.
We need football players, guys that love to play football rather that some of our guys that would rather be in an pickleball league.
January 11th, 2026 at 6:35 am
There are so many awesome ILB in the draft.
My Favs:
Anthony Hill – Texas
Sonny Styles – OSU
CJ Allen – Georgia
Game changers. All 1st round talent so 1-2 will drop to the 2nd round because it’s not a premier position.
Grab a DL/Edge in the 1st and a ILB in the 2nd.
January 11th, 2026 at 6:41 am
@Heyjude
I’d still aim higher for an ILB who’s as good an athlete, but a little more disciplined and refined as Banks is still raw. 2nd pick of a combo deal at ILB? Or add to a FA LB? yes please. I’d still keep that 1st rounder honed on an edge rusher though, which in terms of value for your pick OLB is the Lexus to ILBs Toyota.
January 11th, 2026 at 6:50 am
Go Bears!
January 11th, 2026 at 6:53 am
Sure why not, he’d be great.
January 11th, 2026 at 6:57 am
The good players will be resigned. The locker room cancers will be testing the free agency.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:02 am
Bucs could have Jordyn Brooks the leading tackler in the NFL already on their squad at a team friendly price for 2026 with ability to extend , but NO-our fearless leader Jason Licht who has NEVER made a deal to improve his roster significantly at the trade deadline-EVER could not be bothered to sign the best tackler and also one of the best coverage LB’s in the game. With all the close games they played during their games after the bye- could Brooks have made the impact to win one of those and propel Bucs into playoffs? The answer is a resounding yes.
A GM that will not ever make a trade at the trade deadline is NOT really a GM.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:05 am
Plan 9 From Outer Space. He is the perfect one for Bowzo. Super Bowl Run Hype Season Begins Early. It ain’t even Ground Hog Day yet. Yes, all Bowzo needs is a couple free agents some drafted and he is off to The Super Bowl.
Super Bowzo is Baaaaack
January 11th, 2026 at 7:11 am
Bowles could have a pro bowl lineup on defense and we would still finish in the low 20s in pass defense. The fifty first season is the first season I have almost zero interest in. The biggest problem for the Bucs over the last few years has been the DC, and the Glazers bring him back to almost certainly fail again. I will watch the games if they’re broadcast were I live. I won’t waste my money to watch them every week. They’re expecting a different result after five years of BS defense. That’s insane and just frustrating. Any change at HC/DC, and I would have been excited to see the team evolve. This brings back memories of Hugh Culverhouse.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:16 am
Nice to see Licht’s face for this article. To bad he doesn’t have the stones to show it in public. After talking SB in the offseason, he ain’t saying nothing now. Still keeping reciepts Jason? After a giant collapse to the season, and people calling for his, and Todd’s head you’d think he’d hold a news conference to help sooth our angst. Doesn’t he owe the fans an explanation for what went wrong, and how he, and Todd plan to fix it? As Ricky would say, Lucy you got some slaining to do. It’s disappointing to most Bowles is coming back, and plenty of fans wanted Licht gone. What’s more disappointing is their total disregard to the feelings of the fans. They need to mend fences, not hide behind them. Come on out Jason, face the music. I’ve lost a ton of respect for you, and the organization.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:26 am
Imagine being a defensive “guru” and literally needing to replace half your defense because you’ve done such a horrible job. Absolutely embarrassing. Now let’s spend all our draft capital on that side of the ball and still scheme a D that is flawed and players can’t even execute it comfortably.
WELCOME TO YOUR TAMPA BAY BUCS 🤡🤡
January 11th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Potential Free Agent Addition(s):
-Quay Walker (25, tackling machine)
-Devin Lloyd (27, ball hawk – 5 INTs in 2025)
-Leo Chenal (26, Chiefs championship DNA)
January 11th, 2026 at 7:42 am
Only if he’s in the “bargain bin “.
January 11th, 2026 at 7:49 am
The Bucs have had success at LB. I am in. I sure would like to see Morris come in at DB coach, that’s were we are having the most problems on defense. I knew Morris defenses are pretty good but, I am also hearing he’s even better with DBs. We can criticize Bowles defense all we want but, he’s back for 26 so I may being adding a lot of explicits to my language and drinking a lot more conac and scotch but I am a diehard Buc fan and will be watching. I suggest if you’re still super ticked off, watch the Jags next season and come back when you think the Bucs are worth watching
January 11th, 2026 at 8:00 am
Whew that was tense. There was no NFL in the 13 years i lived in LA county. In fact my oldest son was born at St. Mary,s in Long Beach. So i put on my LA Galaxy gear and cheered. I was respondent until Mathew,Stafford put together,a
Rusp 7 play 7o plus yard TD drive. It almost reminded me of Baker Mayfield,s 9o plus,TD winning drive after getting off a plans and starting for the Rams in 2022
January 11th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Blah blah blah
Jason Lite is just as much of the problem as Bowels
Actually even more!
JL is the BIG PICTURE guy … well
Maybe he is compromised by BA in the ear of the Glazers
What EVER it is and has been it’s broken and needs to be replaced completely!
This franchise is on the verge of a rebuilding cycle.
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
January 11th, 2026 at 8:02 am
I’m not really familiar with that guy. I don’t really pay much attention to the Falcons. I fell asleep during the Bears Packers game I don’t sleep much so it was welcome. I’ve always sort of liked the Bears. Lord knows I’ve either watched them or listened to them playing our BUCS enough I am going Bears for the Super Bowles (sic) I guess…or Patriots. Grew up in Mansfield Mass. Right next to Foxborough. Been to Schaefer Stadium a few times as a child. Gonna get a nice fat steak and a 12 pack for today’s games. It’s sad. I should have been watching the BUCS lose rather than the Falcons yesterday. Good game though. Next year is a tank year for my BUCS. I kinda wanted the Panthers to win to give them a worse draft pick, but I didn’t actually care. I’m not looking forward to next season unless I get to watch a lot of Patriots games. i kinda like the Bears too. I kinda like Dallas too, but Jerraahh Jones is an idiot and a half. Who is looking like a top draft pick in 2027?
January 11th, 2026 at 8:04 am
The Joes must have grown up in Beijing or Moscow. They are communists
January 11th, 2026 at 8:08 am
Funny, I write something serious it gets bounced. I say what I think of the idiots that run this pathetic dump and their censorship regime misses it. The joes are even more retarded than the feds.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:08 am
Quay Walker Measurables (2022 Combine):
-6’4″, 241 lbs
-4.52 forty (99th percentile for LB)
-40.5″ vertical (elite)
-10’6″ broad jump (elite explosiveness)
-RAS Score: 9.89/10 (Relative Athletic Score)
Translation: He’s a FREAK.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Or the Glazers
January 11th, 2026 at 8:10 am
Luvmybucs, thank you
January 11th, 2026 at 8:10 am
Quay Walker 2024-2025 Stats (Packers):
2024 Season:
-140 tackles (led Packers, 7th in NFL)
-8 TFLs (SirVocea had 0)
-2 sacks
-5 PBU
-Coverage grade: 72.8 (above average)
-Run defense grade: 81.2 (elite)
**Started every game for 3 straight years
January 11th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Fred McNeil
Your welcome, Bredren
January 11th, 2026 at 8:14 am
There is one other notable BUCS site, but geeze are they long winded.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:21 am
The *best position* in this draft is linebacker, which is just perfect for us. I sincerely doubt Arvell gets anywhere near us, but we can trade down and get a ton of great players in this draft.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Quay Walker would also be a great start.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Elliss saw Kirk Cousins absolutely shred Bowles defense the last 2 years. I highly, highly, highly doubt this guy would want to play for Bowles.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:48 am
@Todd. Have been saying same thing about Brooks. Would have cost at most a3rd. Now we will be spending a1st likely. Imagine having traded for him and getting Quay Walker in FA! Our iln would be set for next 5 years and we can figure the rest of draft and FA on pass rushers and TE and A guard.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Let’s get a 3 down LB and stop focusing on Bowles soon to be gone ‘exotic’ genius.
January 11th, 2026 at 8:56 am
My comments most often get stomped by Joe’s K-Mart blue-light-special-mod software when I put someone’s full name in there, no clue as to why. Quote marks do it to (I have zero idea how to properly quote someone in here)
As for wish list, I WANT that Styles kid, and I WANT us ALSO to trade up into the top ten to get a sure-thing edge. I can dream
And I’d rather let Dean walk, he’ll cost 20+ million for 2 years guaranteed
January 11th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Let’s see if homer, Licht, will be fool enough to crack open the vault and make Kancey a top 10 paid DL for his 1 tackle this year. It was for a loss, so probably top 5 in Licht’s eyes.
I would really love to hear Ira (anyone with access an a voice really) ask Licht what he meant when he stated that “Braswell is gonna shock the world.” Why doesn’t anyone hold this man accountable publicly? Why is he allowed to hide when times are tough, only to emerge when basking in good times?
This dude deserves as much shade as the rest of leadership. I continue to see key FA acquisitions make an impact on their new teams (Sweat, Parsons…) while Licht does nothing. Joes say he doesn’t really have a voice in firing HC, probably to get rid of Grizz was a Glazer directive (not Licht), and he’s did nothing to shore up a crippled OL, so what exactly does he do other than be our top draft scout? He didn’t hire Bowles, BA likely hired himself….seriously what is the overall value in thour glad hand GM?
January 11th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Eliss should be one of the last resorts. Quay Walker, Lloyd from jacksonville both great.
January 11th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
This site is filled with crybaby Bucs “fans” who will not accept anything other The Who they decide should be on the team and it’s pathetic.. go be a bandwagon fan for another team.. most of these same people where praising our gm as stealing emeka after the first month.Bowels is the coach and while I’m not happy I will root for the Bucs regardless.. let’s things play out. Fire the cannons
January 11th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Daryl Green Says:
January 11th, 2026 at 1:40 am
Rod Munch Says:
January 11th, 2026 at 1:22 am
There is this super fast highly drafted LB that already knows the system and would be a perfect fit.
Wait🤣🤣🤣 how we going to draft a linebacker who already knows the system and you have
players who’s been on this team who don’t know the system. 🤣🤣🤣👏🏾👏🏾
———-
Devin White… is a super fast highly drafted LB that already knows the system… See what I did there.