According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Bucs have re-signed LB Kevin Minter to a one-year deal, returning their special teams captain to the team for his fourth season in Tampa Bay. Minter, 30, was set to be a free agent on March 17.

Minter has played just 389 defensive snaps over his four years in Tampa Bay, but has been top three on the team in special teams snaps each of the past two years, including leading the team in 2019. Minter played just 92 defensive snaps during the 2020 season, but filled in admirably for Devin White in two games late in the year, including the Wild Card round against the Washington Football Team. Minter had six tackles in the playoff game and a critical pass deflection that led to an interception by Sean Murphy-Bunting with the Football Team in Bucs territory.

After re-signing Lavonte David and now Minter, the Bucs top three linebacker spots appear set for the 2021 season. They could still look to add more talent at the position through the draft however, as the Bucs have no other linebackers under contract for this season, with the exception of oft-injured Jack Cichy.

The Bucs have now franchise tagged Chris Godwin, re-signed Lavonte David and Kevin Minter and extended Tom Brady’s contract through the 2022 season, clearing $19 million in cap space for 2021. Next up on the agenda: coming to terms with high-priced free agent pass rusher Shaq Barrett, while also trying to retain TE Rob Gronkowski, DT Ndamukong Suh, K Ryan Succop, WR Antonio Brown and RB Leonard Fournette.