The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are staring down a pivotal offseason after a 2025 campaign that ended with a thud-missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. And if there was one glaring issue that stood out, it was the defense, particularly at linebacker.
With questions swirling around the future of longtime captain Lavonte David, the Bucs could be in the market for a major addition. Enter Devin Lloyd.
Fresh off a breakout season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Lloyd is hitting free agency at just the right time-for him, at least. For the Jags, it’s a different story.
They declined his fifth-year option last offseason, a decision that now looks like a major misstep. Lloyd responded with the best year of his young career, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl nod.
He’s now widely considered the top linebacker available in this year’s free agent class.
In 15 games in 2025, Lloyd was everywhere for Jacksonville’s defense. He racked up 81 tackles, including six for a loss, defended seven passes, picked off five throws, added 1.5 sacks, and even recovered a fumble.
Those are the kind of numbers that turn heads across the league-and they’re not just empty stats. Lloyd’s impact was felt in every phase of the game, particularly in coverage, where his instincts and range were on full display.
That’s exactly the kind of presence the Buccaneers could use. Tampa’s linebacker unit took a step back last season, and if Lavonte David decides to hang it up after 14 seasons, the need becomes even more urgent. Lloyd wouldn’t just be a replacement-he’d be a dynamic addition who brings youth, athleticism, and playmaking ability to a defense that needs a jolt.
Of course, Lloyd’s early seasons in Jacksonville were a bit of a rollercoaster. There were flashes of brilliance, but also stretches where consistency was hard to come by.
That changed in 2025. He looked more comfortable, more confident, and more like the player the Jaguars thought they were getting when they drafted him in the first round.
Now, he’s poised to cash in.
The question is: will the Buccaneers be the team to make the move?
With Lloyd set to hit the open market as an unrestricted free agent, there’s going to be competition. Linebackers with his skill set-sideline-to-sideline speed, coverage chops, and the ability to impact the game in multiple ways-don’t come cheap. But if Tampa Bay is serious about returning to playoff contention, investing in a player like Lloyd could be a smart move.
He’s not just a stopgap. He’s a potential cornerstone for the next era of Bucs defense.