The Bucs announced on Wednesday afternoon that they signed linebacker Deion Jennings to a futures contract. Jennings was previously signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent after playing five seasons at Rutgers.

Bucs Add To Linebacker Room Set For Change in 2025

Bucs ILBs K.J. Britt and Lavonte David – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

Currently, the Bucs have no linebackers you can call a “lock” to make their 2025 opening-day 53-man roster. 2024 starters Lavonte David and K.J. Britt are both set to be free agents this year. David will no doubt be welcomed back with open arms if he decides to continue playing in his age-35 season. But David’s play has been on the decline, and he isn’t certain he wants to continue playing.

There have been no indications that Tampa Bay will want Britt to return. After beginning the 2024 season as the team’s starting middle linebacker, Britt missed three games late in the season due to injury and saw his playing time significantly reduced at the season’s end. Britt averaged just 16.5 snaps per game over his last four games. Due to his limited athleticism, Britt struggled in coverage and the team had to look in different directions on long and late downs.

SirVocea Dennis was supposed to be that coverage backer who split time with Britt, but he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that limited his 2024 campaign to just four games. Dennis is under contract for 2025, but he has been plagued by injuries over his first two seasons. That combined with his fifth-round status means he will have to fight for a roster spot in 2025.

J.J. Russell became the linebacker the Bucs turned to in place of Britt late in the season. He had some solid performances and could be in the mix for a depth spot next year. He is a restricted free agent, but the Bucs are unlikely to place a tag on him at the cost of over $3 million in salary. There is a chance Russell and the team agree on a new contract to avoid the process.

The Bucs also signed veteran Deion Jones along with Antonio Grier and Dan Grzesiak to futures contracts.

Jennings Joins The Mix

Ravens ILB Deion Jennings – Photo by: USA Today

Now Jennings will also be in the mix at the position. He played in all of the Ravens’ preseason games, recording seven solo tackles and three assisted tackles while earning a 47.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. While that grade does not jump off the page, the player grading site was high on his coverage abilities, giving him a 75.4 grade.

The Bucs’ linebacking corps was most vulnerable in coverage in 2024, so it makes sense that the team would look to shore up that deficiency.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Jennings played five seasons in college at Rutgers where he started 58 games and recorded 252 combined tackles, 21 for a loss, one sack, 12 passes defensed and one interception. PFF gave him positive grades in coverage during his final two seasons in college with grades of 76.3 in 2022 and 73.6 in 2023.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Jennings as the 133rd overall linebacker and listed his draft measurables at 4.70 seconds in the 40-yard dash, 32.5-inch vertical jump, 9’6″ broad jump, 4.38-second short shuttle and 7.24 second 3-cone.