Devin Lloyd And The Bucs
February 3rd, 2026
In Joe’s mind, the Bucs need three new inside linebackers.
Draft two and sign one free agent, or draft one and sign two free agent linebackers. Or, hell, draft three or sign three free agent linebackers. However Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht wants to work on the math is fine.
The Bucs’ inside linebackers group needs a major overhaul.
Even if Lavonte David comes back (Joe’s not betting a nickel that will or won’t happen), should David be a part-time player at this point in his career, given how each week he had to have a knee drained of fluid?
Simply put, SirVocea Dennis, unless it is leaked he was hiding a major injury last year, is not a starting linebacker in the NFL.
Given how bad the Bucs are at inside linebacker, if you have already written off David, Bradley Locker of the PFF tribe thinks a Jags inside linebacker, a free agent, should be targeted by the Bucs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: LB Devin Lloyd
The Buccaneers ended the 2025 campaign in unfavorable fashion, losing seven of their last nine games. The team’s defense was certainly liable, especially a poor linebacking corps.
Whether or not Lavonte David returns, the team cannot simply return the same crop next year. Lloyd’s well-rounded skillset could be affordable for Tampa, as the team can clear over $83 million in cap space via several restructures.
Given how Bucs coach Todd Bowles covets takeaways, this Lloyd may be Bowles’ kind of guy. Last year Lloyd had five picks (including a 99-yard house call) and a fumble recovery.
Lloyd will turn 28 in September.
Joe cannot imagine the Jags letting this guy hit the open market. But if they do, Licht needs to pounce while the free agency dinner bell is still ringing.
February 3rd, 2026 at 7:14 am
Just not LB Dean. He is glass.
February 3rd, 2026 at 7:15 am
Yes PLEASE!!!
He will cost more than the Devins, but worth it. I also like KC’s Chanel, should he wiggle free. Younger & much cheaper. Tbh, I’m curious to see Licht snapping into action, not just pick8ng through the leftover scrap heap for once
February 3rd, 2026 at 7:30 am
Love how Joe(s) just throw stuff up against the wall to see if it sticks — is Tampa Bay really a choice destination for quality free agents with Todd Bowles totally in a do-or-be-gone situation??
February 3rd, 2026 at 7:38 am
@Tom E,
27 yr old want the money. In their mind, they have all the time in the world to get a championship. 30+ year olds chase the ring, so their is hope if the bucs are willing to pay.
February 3rd, 2026 at 8:11 am
I was pounding the table the season before last at the trade deadline when Jacksonville sucked and was willing to trade players, for JL to call the Jags and offer them some picks for Lloyd. Like letting Coen go, the Bucs were asleep at the wheel.
February 3rd, 2026 at 8:16 am
The chances of him not being resigned are slim to none. If a team is willing to let someone walk, there is usually some baggage.
February 3rd, 2026 at 8:21 am
joe says,
“Draft two, sign one free agent or draft one and sign two free agent linebackers.”
Wishful thinking Joseph, is not gonna happen, LB is most definitely a need, but at least they are gonna make 2 moves not 3, there are so many holes to fill, specially on D
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:22 am
That’s another check in the “Bowles is a horrible coach” box. He said MLB was the team’s deepest position. What a joke.
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:27 am
There are younger linebackers out there but Todd Bowles needs old players for his scheme to work
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:33 am
Lloyd is another pipe dream. We’ll get outbid or Jax will resign. Still, there are a few other guys like Walker and Chenal out there. Licht needs to be out there early looking for these guys in earnest, cash in hand. No waiting for second wave of FA.
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:34 am
Hey Joe, I can see El Serpiente trying a fast one knowing Tampa is sniffing.
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:48 am
Whoever the draft or get via free agency, for you know who’s sake, please use them to THEIR strengths. No more trying to fit a square peg into a round hole TODD!
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:49 am
Since this is JL & TB prove it year, they need veterans, as there is not time to develop a rookie in this quantum physics Bowles playbook.
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:54 am
Take styles in the draft and try to get llyod if not get Devin bush on the Browns. Maybe pick up Bobby Wagner for cheap one year see if he still has some in the tank. Keep Lavonte one more year in a limited roll and let Dennis also have a limited roll.
February 3rd, 2026 at 9:58 am
Day 1-76 … ‘That’s another check in the “Bowles is a horrible coach” box.’
Or MAYBE Todd was told by his GM that he had to ‘make do with what ya got’ and so he was attempting to boost a couple of ILB egos & instill confidence. With all the years that Bowles has played AND coached, I have to believe that he knows talent (or lack thereof) when he sees it.
I think it’s time fans put Jason front-and-center on the hot seat. Like Bradley Locker said (Joe’s article) … ‘the team can clear over $83 million in cap space via several restructures’. That gives us quite a bit of room to maneuver in the Free Agent market. We’ve got a LOT of needs, and that kind of money could go a long ways towards filling some of those. Add in (HOPEFULLY) a good draft, and the Bucs MIGHT be able to hold their own in the NFC South.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:05 am
Yes, I believe Licht while he may not like to give up picks in the draft, this year he really has no choice. He can’t get enough starting talent in the draft for the holes he has on defense this year, unless he trades for more picks. With that said I hope he realizes it appears the team has no nose for drafting an edge rusher!!. That despite multiple efforts has been a huge waste of picks. Yes draft at least 2 linebackers, maybe 3. Presently, we have no LB that really is of a starting caliber. The LB’s we currently have would not even make some teams rosters much less as backups.
Then yes please pay somebody in free agency and get a real edge rusher for this defense. If we have to give up a draft pick so be it. The whole defense will be better for it. Make no mistake due to past draft failures and failure to add free agents that can play, the current defense will take more than this year to be formable. However, picking up some key pieces this year to go with what should be a great offense the Bucs should be a formable team next year. Please Jason get us a real edge rusher in free agency that will shock the world!! We are waiting!!!
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:14 am
You can’t have it both ways! We obviously need to upgrade our defensive players. Forget about Bowles right now it is what it is! Joe, you want to get LBs and we need some edge and DTs, but that takes money to play in the FA game. This is why resigning Evans and David have to move on and not resign. We must get better on the defensive side of the ball! If our offense comes back healthy and add maybe one WR in the draft or free agency we will be very good, but this defensive front 7 aren’t good and need a major over haul! Everybody gets old and David and Evans have gotten old and injury prone. You can’t have it all.
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:24 am
I’m with Joe, one FA linebacker and a round 1-3 ILB. The problem is finding a FA to be willing to play for Bowles, when he will be gone after ’26. Also, Licht is a Dollar Store guy in FA and not willing to spend. Will Licht and the Glazers go cheap in FA to prep for a recycle?
February 3rd, 2026 at 10:42 am
“the team can clear over $83 million in cap space via several restructures”
That’s good news…