Christian Izien: Everything you need to know

Izien signed a contract with the Lions on Friday. The terms of the deal are yet to be announced, but Izien will head to Detroit after calling Tampa Bay his home for the last three seasons. He played a prominent role in the Buccaneers' defense in 2023 and 2024 but saw his snaps on defense dip in 2025, finishing with 25 tackles (16 solo) and one forced fumble across 14 regular-season games. Izien will look to earn an expanded role on defense with the Lions, and he could get some starts early in 2026 season if one or both of Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) are not available.

The Bucs will not extend a restricted free agent tender to Izien prior to the start of the new league year next Wednesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. Izien, therefore, will be allowed to become an unrestricted free agent. The 25-year-old has appeared in 45 regular-season games for the Bucs over the last three seasons, logging 165 tackles (111 solo), five pass breakups, including three interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

Izien posted eight total tackles (four solo) and one forced fumble in Thursday's 29-28 loss to Falcons. After playing just 35 defensive snaps over 10 appearances prior to Thursday's loss, Izien was on the field for all 66 of Tampa Bay's defensive plays. The Rutgers product tied Lavonte David for the second-most tackles on the team and stripped Bijan Robinson in the third quarter, leading to a Buccaneers touchdown. He may have earned an expanded role on Tampa Bay's defense going forward, but he's still expected to back up Tykee Smith (neck) once the latter returns from injury.