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The Buccaneers have been predicted to sign Eagles’ linebacker Nakobe Dean in free agency
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been busy making changes to their coaching staff early on this offseason, but with free agency quickly approaching, the team is going to have to begin devising its strategy for free agency. After missing the playoffs entirely in 2025, it’s clear that the Buccaneers have a lot of work to do this offseason when it comes to upgrading their roster.
Simply put, the Bucs collapsed down the stretch last season, and while the NFC South still appears to be up for grabs, they are going to have to add some talent in order to ensure they reach their top goals next season. With that in mind, Tampa Bay was recently predicted to sign Philadelphia Eagles‘ linebacker Nakobe Dean in free agency.
Buccaneers Predicted to Sign Nakobe Dean in Free Agency
The Eagles had high hopes for Dean when he fell to them in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. And yet, through four seasons, his career has largely been defined by injuries. Dean has missed 21 games over the past three years, and the only season in which he suited up for all 17 games came when he was playing sparingly as a rookie.
Dean’s best year came in 2024, which just happened to be the year when Philadelphia won Super Bowl LIX. Dean started all 15 games he played in, racking up 128 tackles, three sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. Dean lost snaps in 2025, though, thanks to another knee injury and the arrival of Jihaad Campbell in the linebacker room.
With a plethora of linebackers at their disposal, the Eagles don’t really have a need for Dean. The same isn’t true for the Buccaneers, who could benefit greatly from the addition of a tackling machine like Dean. And if you ask Greg Auman of Fox Sports, he believes that Tampa Bay will scoop up Dean in free agency on an $8 million contract.
“Dean, 25, has been limited by injuries throughout four seasons in Philadelphia,” Auman wrote. “The Eagles used a first-round pick on Jihaad Campbell last year, so maybe they’ve already decided on Dean’s future. How much can Dean get as a free agent? There’s a wide range of projections, but he’s likely in the $8 million a year vicinity. Prediction: Signs with Buccaneers.”
Should the Buccaneers Sign Nakobe Dean?
GettyPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – NOVEMBER 16: Nakobe Dean #17 of the Philadelphia Eagles leaves the field following a game against the Detroit Lions at Lincoln Financial Field on November 16, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
While Lavonte David is still one of the better inside linebackers in the league, he isn’t getting any younger, meaning that at some point, Tampa Bay is going to have to find his replacement. Beyond that, SirVocea Dennis has his fair share of struggles when working alongside David in 2025, so the Bucs could be looking for an upgrade at this spot one way or another this offseason.
Dean’s injury woes are certainly worrying, which is why it’s more likely he will sign a short-term deal in an effort to prove he can make it through a full season unscathed. Chances are, Dean will have his fair share of suitors, but if the bidding doesn’t become too outrageous, $8 million is certainly a reasonable price to pay for a player who has the sort of upside the former Georgia Bulldogs star possesses.
Owen Crisafulli Owen Crisafulli is a Breaking News Writer at Heavy. In addition to writing for Heavy, Owen works as a Content Producer for More Views Media. His work has also appeared on ClutchPoints, The Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Basketball Network, and FanSided, where he shared his insights on a variety of sports topics primarily surrounding the NFL, NBA, and MLB. More about Owen Crisafulli
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