The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the offseason under pressure to make moves, as the team underperformed this past season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
One position that will likely be addressed is linebacker, especially with Buccaneers legend Lavonte David considering retirement.
Mason Cameron of PFF listed Tampa Bay as the “best landing spot” for Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, who is set to be a free agent in the 2026 offseason.
“The Buccaneers struggled mightily at the linebacker position this season, with the unit as a whole ranking 28th in PFF overall grade. Lavonte David is weighing retirement, and SirVocea Dennis ranked 90th out of 94 qualifying linebackers in PFF coverage grade (30.5) this past season, so upgrading the position with Lloyd would be an immediate boost,” wrote Cameron.
GettyLloyd earned AP All-Pro second team honors this past season.
What Devin Lloyd Would Bring to Tampa Bay
Lloyd had a standout season in 2025, proving that he is worthy of a large contract in the 2026 offseason.
“The Jaguars opted against picking up Devin Lloyd’s fifth-year option last offseason, to which he responded by producing his best season yet, earning second-team All-Pro honors,” wrote Cameron. “The 27-year-old posted the second-highest PFF overall grade (89.1) among qualifying linebackers during the regular season, finishing as the only linebacker with an 80.0-plus PFF grade in run defense (83.2), coverage (81.1) and pass rushing (82.2),” wrote Cameron.
Lloyd will be highly sought after in 2026 free agency, as he is one of the top linebackers that will be available to sign. The 27 year old is ranked as the 15th best player overall set to hit free agency, according to Garrett Podell of CBS Sports.
The Jacksonville linebacker’s progress in 2025 is a large reason why he is projected to be heavily pursued in the offseason.
“Lloyd’s 25 quarterback pressures in 2025 are more than double the next closest single-season total in his career (12 as a rookie in 2022). His five interceptions were tied for the second-most in the league in 2025, one of which was a 99-yard pick six of Patrick Mahomes in a Week 5 victory on Monday Night Football,” wrote Podell.
There is no question that adding Lloyd would be a major boost for a Tampa Bay defense that will be looking to improve majorly this offseason.
GettyLloyd will be among the best players in free agency.
Another Option if the Buccaneers Don’t Land Lloyd
If the Buccaneers don’t acquire Lloyd in the offseason, there are other viable routes they could take to address the linebacker position, with many linking the team to the position in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Gordon McGuinness of PFF projected Tampa Bay to select linebacker Sonny Styles out of Ohio State with the 15th overall pick.
“This is one of the easiest team-player fits at the point in the draft. The only concern for the Buccaneers would be that Styles doesn’t make it to No. 15th overall. He earned PFF coverage and run-defense grades above 85.0 in his final college season, and he missed just 2.2% of his tackle attempts,” wrote McGuinness.
GettyLB Sonny Styles.
Buccaneers Listed as Top Landing Spot for All-Pro Linebacker