For the first time in 14 seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter the year without Lavonte David leading their defense.

David announced his retirement on Tuesday, starting the clock on his eventual Hall-of-Fame induction. This was not an incredibly surprising move, as David had made it clear earlier in the offseason that he was deciding between retirement or returning to Tampa.

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The Bucs have made some moves to help supplement David’s departure, signing Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom to man the middle on defense.

Anzalone spent the past five years with the Detroit Lions, joining the team during Lions head coach Dan Campbell’s inaugural season. Anzalone served as a veteran leader for Campbell, providing experience to a young, up and coming team and helping the Lions transform their culture into a winning one.

Overall, he has played in 111 games, notching 613 tackles, 13 sacks and four interceptions over his nine-year tenure.

Anzalone returns home to the Sunshine State, where he and his wife were standout athletes at the University of Florida. Anzalone talked about his excitement about returning home in his opening press conference.

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“Happy to be here, guys. You know, it’s a unique opportunity for us as a family. You know, this is our home. We feel passionate about this city, this organization now,” Anzalone said.

Rozeboom joins Anzalone on the Bucs’ linebacking core as the second new addition. The move keeps Rozeboom in the division, as the 29-year old led the Carolina Panthers with 122 tackles last season.

Rozeboom reunites with former Panthers defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson, who signed a one-year, $10 million contract with the Bucs early in free agency.

After a limited start to his NFL career, Rozeboom has transformed into a tackling machine, racking up 336 tackles over the past three seasons. He began his career with the Los Angeles Rams before a brief stint in Kansas City.

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In 2024, Rozeboom broke out for 135 tackles with the Rams and adding his first career sack.

Last offseason, the Panthers signed Rozeboom to a one-year, $2.5 million deal to supplement their linebacking core, but injuries thrusted him into a larger role. Rozeboom started 15 games, serving as Carolina’s premier tackler and securing a lone interception – an interception thrown by Bucs starting quarterback Baker Mayfield in Week 18 last season.

The Bucs have also been linked to potential linebacker options in the upcoming NFL Draft, including Texas Tech standout Jacob Rodriguez.

Buccaneers.com contributor Gabriel Kahaian released his latest mock-draft predictions earlier this week, showing Bucs trading back to No. 31, allowing the New England Patriots to select USC receiver Makai Lemon with the 15th pick.

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Tampa Bay would use the No. 31 selection on Rodriguez, securing a player who finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and won the Nagurski Award, which is said to honor the nation’s best college defensive player. The first-team All-American also ranked as Pro Football Focus’ best coverage linebacker of 2025.

However, this prediction may be a reach, as most draft models show Rodriguez being taken midway through the second round.

Plus, with the additions of Rozeboom and Anzalone, Tampa Bay may be feeling set at the linebacking position.

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