The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave the latest and biggest news that seems to indicate legendary inside linebacker Lavonte David might be headed toward retirement, signing starting Carolina Panthers inside linebacker Christian Rozeboom to a 1-year contract.
The Buccaneers’ defense employs 2 starting inside linebackers, and the Buccaneers have now signed 2 starting inside linebackers this offseason after inking Detroit Lions inside linebacker Alex Anzalone to a 2-year, $17 million free agent contract.
“The Bucs are signing former Panthers and Rams LB Christian Rozeboom … as he stays in the division,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on his official X account on Monday. “He had 122 tackles last year.”
In an interesting twist, Rozeboom was a high school teammate of Buccaneers tight end Ko Kieft, who also signed a new contract this offseason. The 2 played together at Sioux Center High School in Sioux Center, Iowa — population 8,229.
“Christian Rozeboom, 29, gives the Bucs a second veteran linebacker with extensive starting experience,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account. “Late bloomer had 257 tackles in last two years with Rams and Panthers after totaling 90 in his first three years. 12 TFLs, two INTs, three sacks over last two years as well … Bucs have now signed two linebackers who were every-game NFL starters last year. Means they’re now well-covered ahead of draft if Lavonte David does choose to retire.”
From UDFA to Full-Time NFL Starting LB
Rozeboom, 6-foot-2 and 230 pounds, starred for FCS South Dakota State, where he set the school record with 475 career tackles to go with 29 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 8 forced fumbles, and 8 interceptions.
After becoming a 4-time All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection, Rozeboom went undrafted in 2020 and signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He spent 2020 on the Rams’ practice squad, then was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad in 2021, where he made his NFL regular-season debut.
The Rams reacquired Rozeboom from Kansas City’s practice squad, and he played the final 9 regular-season games in 2021 and was part of the team’s run to the Super Bowl that year.
Rozeboom spent 3 more seasons with the Rams, becoming a full-time starter for the 1st time in 2024, and put up a career-high 135 tackles. He signed a 1-year, $2.5 million free agent contract with the Panthers in 2025. He delivered 122 tackles, 7 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble return, and 1 interception as Carolina unseated the Buccaneers as NFC South champions and made the playoffs for the 1st time since 2017.
Lavonte David Non-Committal on NFL Future
David spoke about his possible retirement following a win over the Carolina Panthers in the regular-season finale — a win that ended up not mattering in the end after the Atlanta Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints to break a tiebreaker and give the Panthers the NFC South title.
David, a 2nd round pick in the 2012 NFL draft, is a 3-time NFL All-Pro and was one of the stars for the Buccaneers on the way to winning a Super Bowl following the 2020 season.
“Well, I’m going to see what happens with the Saints first,” David said, laughing. ” … but I’m going to pray on it, you know what I’m saying? Talk to my family about it. And whenever that moment or that decision comes I’m going to be straight forward about it and shoot you straight about it, but right now I have no idea.”
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