The Tampa Bay Buccaneersâ offseason will likely involve several changes after the team finished 8â9 and missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season.
One offseason prediction from ESPNâs Aaron Schatz has the Buccaneers landing a pending free-agent linebacker from a division rival: Kaden Elliss of the Atlanta Falcons.
“With help required at inside linebacker, the Bucs will steal Kaden Elliss from the rival Falcons in free agency. He would be perfect in those Bowles blitz packages after 3.5 sacks in 2025,” wrote Schatz.
With Buccaneers legend Lavonte David potentially retiring this offseason, the team is expected to be in the market for a linebacker.
Elliss, 30, would provide a proven veteran presence for the Tampa Bay defense. He has played all seven seasons of his career in the NFC South, spending four years with the New Orleans Saints and three with the Atlanta Falcons.
GettyLB Kaden Elliss.
More on Elliss
Elliss is expected to be a name that draws attention for teams looking for a linebacker in 2026 free agency.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus listed Elliss as one player the Falcons canât afford to lose in free agency, highlighting how impactful the veteran linebacker has been.
“The Falconsâ defense took steps forward in 2025, placing 15th in EPA allowed per play and 18th in success rate. Elliss was at the forefront,” wrote Locker.
Elliss is notably strong as a pass rusher, a skill that would help bolster a Tampa Bay defense that allowed 24.2 points per game, ranking 20th in the league last season, according to Fox Sports.
“The former seventh-round pick posted a 68.1 PFF overall grade and especially excelled as a pass rusher, collecting 30 pressures with an 84.6 PFF pass-rushing grade. Elliss was one of two linebackers with 30-plus pressures and 40-plus stops in 2025, joining Eric Wilson,” wrote Locker.
If the Buccaneers pursue and sign Elliss, they would be taking away an impactful piece from the Falcons, who are one of Tampa Bayâs biggest rivals.
GettyElliss causes pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Alternative Linebacker Targets
If the Buccaneers address the linebacker position as expected this offseason, there are several other names to watch besides Elliss.
Matt Milano (Buffalo Bills), Kenneth Murray (Dallas Cowboys), and Alex Anzalone (Detroit Lions) are other notable veteran linebackers set to become pending free agents this offseason, according to Spotrac.
The Buccaneers may also target a linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft, with Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles among the names linked to the team.
In his latest mock draft, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports projected the Buccaneers selecting Styles with the 15th overall pick.
Whether Tampa Bay pursues a veteran or a draft prospect, the team will have plenty of options to address the linebacker position this offseason.
GettyLB Sonny Styles.
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