The Buccaneers have already spent the offseason trying to patch up a defense that needed real work, and linebacker remains the spot that still feels a little unfinished.
Tampa Bay went into the 2026 season with a major overhaul in mind, and Todd Bowles could be looking at as many as five new starters on that side of the ball. The linebacker room, in particular, was a problem area last year. Then Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons, and the depth chart got even thinner.
The front office responded by signing veteran Alex Anzalone to a two-year deal and using a second-round pick on Josiah Trotter in the 2026 NFL Draft. That helped, but it may not be enough.
The Dolphins could have exactly the kind of player Tampa Bay should be watching closely.
Miami has loaded up at linebacker this offseason, selecting Bucs draft darling Jacob Rodriguez just three picks ahead of Tampa Bay in the second round and then adding Kyle Louis in the fourth. The Dolphins also re-signed Jordyn Brooks to a three-year deal earlier this week after his First-Team All-Pro 2025 season. With that group suddenly crowded, Tyrel Dodson could become available.
“Although Dodson played very well for the Dolphins, Sullivan just drafted Jacob Rodriguez in the second round and Kyle Louis in the fourth. Ronnie Harrison Jr. and Willie Gay should also factor into the linebacker corps,” wrote Matt Fitzgerald of Phin Phanatic. “Now that the Dolphins have made their commitment to Brooks, they should absolutely pick up the phone and hear offers for Dodson.”
Dodson’s 2025 season may have dipped a bit compared with his own standards, but the track record before that is what makes him interesting. In 2023, Pro Football Focus had him as the No. 3 overall linebacker, with fifth-place coverage and 11th against the run. He then backed that up with a top-three coverage grade in 2024.
For Tampa Bay, the appeal is obvious. Anzalone is the only established starter in the room.
Trotter is a rookie who will need time to settle into Bowles’ notoriously complex scheme. Dennis had major issues in coverage last season, finishing with a bottom-five coverage grade among linebackers.
Rozeboom was added this offseason, but he profiles more as a special teams piece and reserve than someone the Buccaneers should count on for significant defensive snaps.
Dodson would bring experience and give Tampa Bay a real fallback option if Trotter needs time early. The linebacker group is better than it was a year ago, but it still isn’t deep enough for the Buccaneers to act like the job is done.
If Miami is open to moving Dodson for a Day 3 pick, that’s the kind of low-risk, high-reward move Tampa Bay should be ready to make.
In Other News...
Raymond James Lands A Massive College Football Showcase For Tampa
The annual Georgia-Florida rivalry game is headed for a temporary change of scenery, and Tampa is getting a rare turn in the spotlight. With EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville set for renovations, the matchup will move away from its longtime home, giving one of college footballs marquee neutral-site games a different backdrop for the next couple of seasons.
The 2026 edition is expected to land in Atlanta before the series shifts to Raymond James Stadium in 2027, bringing a major showcase to the Buccaneers building. For a game that has long been one of the sports biggest destination events, the stop in Tampa offers a fresh stage while Jacksonville gets its stadium work done. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Just Got An Unexpected Opening In The NFC South
The early tone of the NFC South has already tilted a little before Tampa Bay has even fully settled into camp. Carolina is dealing with a growing list of health concerns as practices get underway, while the Buccaneers have not reported injuries and are still waiting to ramp up, giving them a cleaner runway than the team that has spent the summer trying to sort through setbacks.
For a division race that often comes down to who survives the grind, that matters. Tampa Bay is trying to build on last season and take back control of the South, and the opening weeks now look like a chance to separate before the standings even start to take shape. Whether that edge lasts is another question, but it is the kind of early break a contender notices. [Read more 🡒]