Lavonte David has not re-signed with the Buccaneers, though were the standout linebacker to return in 2026, it would be with Tampa Bay. But the Bucs are adding another starter-caliber linebacker following their Alex Anzalone addition.
The team is expected to sign former Panthers and Rams LB Christian Rozeboom, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets. This is a one-year contract, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman adds.
Playing on a one-year, $2.5MM deal in Carolina last season, Rozeboom kept his Los Angeles momentum going by starting 15 games and making 122 tackles; this line included a career-high seven TFLs. The former UDFA added two sacks, three passes defensed and an interception. Given a starting role in his Rams contract year, Rozeboom could have a shot — depending on what David decides — to be a regular starter for a third team in three years.
A 2020 Rams UDFA out of South Dakota State, Rozeboom stopped through Kansas City in 2021 before returning to play a backup role on the Super Bowl LVI-winning Rams team that year. Backing up Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones in 2022, Rozeboom made five starts in 2023 before making a career-high 135 tackles during an 11-start 2024 slate.
Pro Football Focus ranked Rozeboom outside the top 70 among qualified LBs each year from 2023-25, and no big offers came in free agency during the 2025 offseason. It is unlikely this Bucs pact is worth too much. But it should secure the 29-year-old defender a good shot to at least be Tampa Bay’s third linebacker — should David return. If the 14-year stalwart retires, Rozeboom would be ticketed to start alongside Anzalone.
Ending the Devin White period after four years, the Bucs lost replacement K.J. Britt in free agency last year. They did not see SirVocea Dennis excel alongside David in 2025, and with the potential Hall of Famer playing out another one-year contract, the team needed to act at the position in free agency. Anzalone is on a two-year, $17MM deal ($12MM guaranteed). That virtually ensures the 10th-year veteran will be a 2026 starter. It would seem David or Rozeboom — barring an early-round addition at the position — will primarily play alongside Anzalone in Todd Bowles‘ 3-4 scheme.
not to be confused with Ravens Tackle Joseph Noteboom