After 9 NFL seasons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. is calling it quits.
Walker announced his retirement on his official Instagram account on Thursday.
“Thank you football for 26 years of blood, sweat, and tears,” Walker wrote. ” … Thank you to the Colts, Dolphins, Browns and Buccaneers for the opportunity to play this game I’ve always loved … thank you to my teammates. Being a teammate was always my favorite part about playing football! Thank your helping me create the STANDARD! Next chapter will be even better!”
Walker, 30 years old, played his final season with the Buccaneers in 2025 but only appeared in 2 regular-season games. He finished his career with 581 tackles in 101 games with 83 starts.
“LB Anthony Walker Jr. has announced his retirement, via his IG,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account on Thursday. “Walker was a 5th-round pick of the Colts in 2017 and played nine NFL seasons — amassing 581 career tackles, 26 TFLs, 4 INTs and 21 passes defensed.”
Bucs Hoped Anthony Walker Jr. Could Contribute
The Buccaneers brought in Walker on a 1-year, $1.422 million free agent contract before the 2025 season with the thought that he could either provide great depth or become the starter opposite Lavonte David, who also recently announced his retirement.
Just 5 months later, Walker Jr. was given his walking papers — released despite reports that he’s healthy despite being on the PUP list (Physically Unable To Perform) throughout the offseason.
“Tampa is releasing veteran LB Anthony Walker Jr., who has been on the Physically Unable to Perform List but is said to be ‘healthy and ready to go,’ ” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account on August 25.
The Buccaneers brought Walker back on the practice squad and signed him to the active roster on December 15.
Walker was a 5th-round pick (No. 161 overall) by the Indianapolis Colts out of Northwestern in the 2017 NFL draft and has approximately $15.3 million in career earnings through his first 8 seasons.
Walker, who just turned 30 years old, played for the Colts his first four seasons and was a full-time starter for the last 3, including a career high 124 tackles in 2019.
He spent 3 seasons with Cleveland Browns and had 113 tackles in 2021. He played on a 1-year, $1.377 million contract for the Miami Dolphins in 2024 and saw action in 14 games with 8 starts, 68 tackles, and 1 interception.
Buccaneers Will Have New Look at Inside Linebacker
Anticipating the retirement of David, the Buccaneers signed 2 free agents who were starting inside linebackers for other teams last season, with Carolina Panthers starter Christian Rozeboom and Detroit Lions standout Alex Anzalone.
Tampa Bay received a rare, A+ grade from The Athletic’s Daniel Popper for signing Anzalone to a 2-year, $17 million contract.
“The Bucs get younger at the position by bringing on Anzalone, who is a superior athlete … Anzalone is fast, flexible, and fluid,” Popper wrote. “He is slippery when evading blockers, especially as a blitzer … Anzalone is also a versatile coverage player. The one knock on his game is a slight lack of physicality as a run defender. But this is an excellent value deal for the Bucs at a position of need.”
Bucs’ $15 Million LB Makes Unexpected Career Decision