Last week I outlined the Bucs’ cap situation for 2025. With a talented roster with a couple of specific holes it makes sense that the team might be in the market for some external help next year. And while Tampa Bay is not out of the playoff race this year, far from it in fact, I thought coming out of the bye week it would be a fun exercise to look at some potential free agent targets the team might pursue at inside linebacker next year.

The cost projections on potential contracts are derived from current projections that myself and Kyle DeDiminicantanio have for these players through Week 10 of this season.

Bucs’ Inside Linebacker Options In 2025

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and ILBs K.J. Britt and Lavonte David – Photo by: USA Today

Tampa Bay’s inside linebacking corps has been abysmal for much of the season. Lavonte David is a potential future Hall of Famer. But there is also a good chance this is his final season, as he turns 35 in January. David signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract this year.

K.J. Britt, who is also in a contract year, has been the definition of replaceable. SirVocea Dennis looked promising in limited action, but for the second year in a row has dealt with injuries preventing him from seeing the field. J.J. Russell hasn’t made an impact, and Vi Jones has yet to prove he’s worth any extended look.

The Bucs have had huge issues across the middle of the field and need to address their linebacking corps in a major way. Some of that should come by way of the draft but I doubt they will pair a rookie linebacker with any of the current players on the roster assuming David does in fact retire.

Top Of The Market

Chief LB Nick Bolton – Photo by: USA Today

The top four impending free agents at linebacker are Kansas City’s Nick Bolton, Seattle’s Ernest Jones IV, San Francisco’s Dre Greenlaw and Philadelphia’s Zack Baun.

Bolton is the best of the bunch. He had 180 tackles in 2022 and another 60 in half of a season last year. Bolton has had consistently solid, but not great coverage grades from Pro Football Focus over the past several seasons. He has proven to be an important part of Kansas City’s impressive defense. He should top the market at $15 million per year over four years. His 2025 salary cap hit could be as low as $8 million.

Jones isn’t an extremely athletic tester but also has shown he can move well in space as a pro. Jones was a sought-after commodity this year as the Titans traded for him on the eve of the season and the Seahawks then acquired him leading up to trade deadline. Jones will likely command an APY (average per year) salary of $10-11 million per year over three years with a 2025 cap hit of around $7.5 million.

When healthy, Greenlaw is one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Unfortunately, he has had two season-ending injuries in the last three years. As such he will be looking for a one-year prove-it deal where he can show he is back to full health and similar athleticism as he had prior to his torn ACL last year.

49ers LB Dre Greenlaw – Photo by: USA Today

Greenlaw’s potential will have him command a solid APY, but it will likely come with a smaller guarantee and shorter length. Pursuing him is a high upside play that comes with significant injury risk. Especially considering SirVocea Dennis has had his own injury issues, including his season-ending shoulder surgery, and is the only likely holdover from this year. Greenlaw’s APY will most likely fall around $9 million and should come with a 2025 cap hit of $5 million.

Baun has successfully transitioned from a backup edge defender to a starting off-ball linebacker with the Eagles this season. Finding an inside linebacker who is good in coverage is one of the hardest things to find in football right now. There is a very small “middle class” at the position as the fall off from top-tier to the rest of the population is quick and steep, but Baun seems to be entering the conversation for one of the few who can hold his own in zone coverage.

As such Baun may get some impressive offers from teams desperate to upgrade their pass defense even with such a small sample of work. If he can keep it up for the rest of the season, he could potentially get a three-year deal worth $10-12.5 million per year. His 2025 cap hit would be similar to Jones’ $7.5 million.

Middle of The Market

As I said before, there really isn’t a middle class for linebackers. But here are several players the Bucs may look to at that will cost more than a near league-minimum salary.

Jamien Sherwood of the Jets has consistently graded out well by PFF’s grading system in extremely limited reps. Former head coach Robert Saleh praised his ascension in the system leading up to him getting extended playing time this year. Sherwood’s lack of draft pedigree and limited experience will keep his price tag suppressed to around $5 million over a single year.

Dolphins LB Tyrel Dodson – Photo by: USA Today

Tyrel Dodson was recently released by the Seahawks but immediately claimed off of waivers by the Dolphins showing he is still a valued player in the league. He parlayed a strong 2023 season into a $4.3 million deal this year from Seattle. He will likely take a hit with his next deal for around $3.5 million over one year.

Kyzir White has helped Arizona’s defense to respectability despite a lack of overall talent. His overall level of play isn’t a panacea, but he knows his assignments and is where he is supposed to be when he is supposed to be there. White could get a two-year deal for around $10 million with a $4 million salary cap hit in 2025.

The Bucs need linebacker help in 2025 and there will be reasonable options at multiple levels of the free agency market for them to pursue.