All articles tagged with #linebacker
The Detroit Lions signed linebacker Jack Campbell to a four-year, $81 million extension with $51.5 million guaranteed, keeping him under contract through 2030; the deal averages $20.25 million per year and comes after the team declined the 2027 fifth-year option, with Campbell having earned All-Pro honors in 2025.
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell signed a contract extension through 2030, cementing him as the defensive centerpiece after an All-Pro season in which he logged 176 tackles and 5.0 sacks. He’s the first Lions player to reach those totals in a season and is trusted with the green dot to call plays at the line. With Alex Anzalone leaving in free agency, Detroit is reshaping its linebacker group around Campbell as the organization has already extended other core players.
The Detroit Lions signed linebacker Jack Campbell to a four-year extension through the 2030 season after not exercising his fifth-year option. Campbell, a 2023 first-round pick, has been a core piece of Detroit’s defense (51 games, 46 starts) and earned AP first-team All-Pro honors in 2025, posting 176 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and multiple takeaways, with terms of the deal not disclosed publicly.
Detroit Lions lock in All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell on a four-year extension through the 2030 season, keeping him as a core defender after the team didn’t pick up his fifth-year option; in three seasons Campbell has 402 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 4 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles and 19 tackles for loss and has emerged as a defensive leader, with extensions for Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, and Sam LaPorta reportedly on the horizon.
Houston signed linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair to a three-year, $54 million extension (average $18 million per year), ranking him third at his position by annual value behind Fred Warner and Roquan Smith. The deal follows a standout 2025 season in which Al-Shaair, a Pro Bowler, posted 103 tackles, 2 interceptions and 9 pass breakups, and it continues Houston’s recent pattern of extending key players.
The New York Giants selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, outlining a role as a versatile front-seven defender who can play linebacker beside Tremaine Edmunds and also contribute on the edge. Reese’s college résumé includes 112 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks (6.5 in 2025) across two seasons, with extensive snaps at both edge and inside linebacker, plus strong pass-rush potential, pursuit, and a high football IQ. While elite athletically (long, lean, explosive with great bend and burst), he faces development in hands, counter moves, and consistent zone coverage reads, making him a prime candidate for a hybrid early role with upside if he sharpens these facets.
The Washington Commanders announced the death of Monte Coleman at age 68. A longtime linebacker, Coleman spent his entire 16-year NFL career with Washington after being drafted in 1979, and he was part of all three Super Bowl-winning teams under coach Joe Gibbs. He is in the franchise’s Ring of Fame. After retiring, he coached at Arkansas-Pine Bluff for 10 seasons, compiling a 40-71 record.
Detroit selected Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder with the 118th pick, betting on his strong instincts and solid tackling in spite of just one year as a starter. He posted a low missed-tackle rate, delivered a standout all-around performance against Michigan State in 2025 (10 tackles, 2 TFL, a sack, a fumble recovery, 82.1 PFF), and projects as a key special-teams contributor early while developing as a run defender. He also has a budding connection with fellow defender Jack Campbell from his college days.
The Detroit Lions drafted Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder with the 118th overall pick (Round 4) in the 2026 NFL Draft, a selection that could fill a WILL linebacker role as Kelvin Sheppard’s defense evolves. Rolder led Michigan with 73 tackles in 2025, earned the Roger Zatkoff Award, and drew praise for his awareness, sideline-to-sideline speed, and leadership. Expert notes highlight his multi-gap range and coverage upside, while Lions beat writer Tim Twentyman notes Rolder could compete with Malcolm Rodriguez and Damone Clark for a starting role after Alex Anzalone signed elsewhere; Twentyman and Rolder also emphasize the importance of leadership and communication on the field.
Detroit Lions used Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to select Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder with the 118th overall pick, adding a WILL linebacker who led Michigan with 73 tackles (7 tackles for loss) and will compete for a starting role in Kelvin Sheppard’s defense after Alex Anzalone’s departure, with a path to contribute on special teams while learning from Lions linebacker Jack Campbell.
Detroit used the 118th pick to select Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder, a 6-foot-2, 238-pound option who could develop into Detroit's WILL linebacker after Alex Anzalone's departure; he led Michigan with 73 tackles as a one-year starter (11 starts) but needs refinement in coverage and is expected to contribute immediately on special teams while he grows.
Denver traded back into the top end of the third to take Texas A&M DT Tyler Onyedim, filling the void left by John Franklin-Myers and leaving Day 3 with seven picks (including two early fourth-rounders). With needs at linebacker, tight end, running back, safety, and offensive line, Denver is eyeing backs like Mike Washington Jr. and Emmett Johnson, tight ends such as Justin Joly or Jack Endries, and linebackers like Kaleb Elarms-Orr or Jimmy Rolder, plus safeties Kamrai Ramsey or Bishop Fitzgerald. They’ll lean on their two extra fourth-round picks for upside, while a wave of “best available” prospects—Jermod McCoy, Keionte Scott, Dani Dennis-Sutton, Elijah Sarratt, Kyle Louis—remain in play as potential targets.
After taking Tyler Onyedim on the defensive line, the Broncos’ Day 3 focus is linebacker, tight end, running back, and offensive tackle. Top linebacker targets include Kyle Louis, Deontae Lawson, Harold Perkins Jr., Kaleb Elams-Orr and Bryce Boettcher, with Elams-Orr’s coverage ability and Lawson’s run defense standing out. At tight end, Joe Royer and Michael Trigg are the best fits, with Justin Joly, Jack Endries and Josh Cuevas as later options. At running back, Nick Singleton and Adam Randall offer desirable profiles to complement the room. On the offensive line, Boise State’s Kage Casey is a common target to develop behind the starters, with Isaiah World also cited as an athletic developmental tackle. Overall, Day 3 aims to add immediate depth and long-term potential across these spots.
The Miami Dolphins drafted Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez with the 43rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Described as an old-school, three-down LB with leadership and production, Rodriguez fits the team’s inside-out building philosophy and could anchor Miami’s defense alongside Jordyn Brooks. While durability and ceiling questions exist due to past injuries, his instincts, tackling power, and strong NFL Combine profile project him as a solid starter.
The Vikings traded down from 49 to 51 to select Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday (6'4", 240, 4.62 40) with the No. 51 pick, passing on Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the process. Golday posted 105 tackles, 6 TFL, 3.5 sacks and 3 PD last season and fits Brian Flores’ scheme as a downhill blitzer/run defender, though coverage remains a work in progress. He figures to contribute on special teams initially and develop into a larger role, marking Minnesota’s first second-round pick since 2022 with an instant grade of B-.