All articles tagged with #linebacker
Jets X-Factor’s 7-round mock envisions a bold, capital-heavy plan: trade up from No. 16 to No. 13 for Carnell Tate, slot Arvell Reese at No. 2 to upgrade the edge, then add Christen Miller (DT) and Jacob Rodriguez (LB) in Round 2, followed by Hezekiah Masses (CB) in Round 5, Sawyer Robertson (QB) in Round 7, and Micah Morris (OL) in Round 7 to round out the roster.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein ranks 11 position groups for the 2026 NFL Draft, with edge defenders and off-ball linebackers at the top due to strong talent and depth. The ranking uses a 10-to-30 point scale, with Edge at 24.5, Linebacker at 22.5, and Interior OL at 22, followed by WR (19.5) and CB (18.5), while QB (13.5) and RB (15) indicate thinner top-end talent. The piece highlights top prospects like Rueben Bain Jr. and Sonny Styles and anticipates a first-round impact mainly from edge rushers and linebackers, with depth extending into later rounds.
Lavonte David announced his retirement after 14 NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, capped by a Super Bowl title and a reputation as one of the league’s most intelligent and durable linebackers. From a difficult start at Fort Scott CC to becoming a Ring of Honor-caliber figure and a rare stat-stacker, David’s resilience and leadership defined a storied career. He hinted at coaching or front-office ambitions and will step away as one of the Buccaneers’ defining players of his era.
Longtime Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement after 14 seasons, finishing with 1,714 tackles and a Super Bowl title, leaving a legacy as one of the franchise’s greatest players.
The Buccaneers said Lavonte David will hold a 2:00 p.m. ET press conference at the AdventHealth Training Center with no contract news yet, fueling retirement speculation as the 36-year-old, coming off a knee-injury-plagued season, weighs future plans after re-signing on a one-year, $9 million deal last year. David is a franchise icon who helped win Super Bowl LV and tie the Bucs’ all-time tackle record; Tampa Bay has already signed two veteran linebackers, Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom, and may draft more to get younger and more athletic at the position.
Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ending a franchise-defining run that included a Super Bowl title and a standout stat line (1,714 tackles, 42.5 sacks, 14 interceptions). A 12-year captain and durable presence on defense, David leaves as one of the era’s best linebackers and a strong Hall of Fame candidate, with the Buccaneers lauding his leadership and impact on and off the field.
Lavonte David, the longtime Buccaneers linebacker and 2020 Super Bowl captain, has announced his retirement after 14 seasons with Tampa Bay. The team revealed the news ahead of a 2 p.m. press conference and recently added veteran linebacker Christian Rozeboom. In 2025 David logged 1,023 snaps, compiling 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and multiple tackles for loss, rounding out a storied TB career as a cornerstone of the defense.
Logan Wilson announced his retirement from the NFL, ending a career that began with the Bengals in 2020 and included a 2025 stint with the Cowboys. The linebacker started 65 of 76 games for Cincinnati, recording 541 tackles, 11 interceptions, 5.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, and added 24 tackles and a forced fumble in seven games for Dallas in 2025; he posted an Instagram message thanking his time in Cincinnati and will not be playing in 2026.
The San Francisco 49ers announced a one-year contract for linebacker Dre Greenlaw. A 28-year-old veteran who was drafted by SF in 2019, Greenlaw has played 72 games (63 starts) with 490 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and 4 interceptions in his career (14 postseason games). He spent the 2025 season with the Denver Broncos before returning to the 49ers, where he has spent most of his career and developed as a core linebacker, after starring at Arkansas.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is returning to the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year, $7.5 million contract after spending 2025 with the Broncos, reuniting with SF's defense following his torn Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII and a late-season return in 2024.
With Kaden Elliss signing with the Saints and Leo Chenal joining the Commanders, the Bengals’ pursuit of a top linebacker cooled as two ideal options came off the market. Cincinnati now eyeing aging veterans like Matt Milano, Lavonte David, and Bobby Wagner or relying on developing linebackers Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter, while coach Al Golden pushes for deeper, more veteran leadership to support a young defense alongside Joe Burrow’s offense.
Linebacker Leo Chenal signs a three-year, $24.75 million contract with the Washington Commanders, adding a veteran starter who has appeared in 65 games with 44 starts for the Chiefs and helped win two Super Bowls.
On Day 2 of free agency, the Bengals aim to strengthen their defense with targets across the front seven and beyond, including Logan Hall at defensive tackle, Leo Chenal at linebacker, Arnold Ebiketie at edge, Javon Hargrave at defensive tackle, and David Njoku at tight end, with a potential DJ Reader reunion as a veteran mentor option; the article also lists other notable defensive names under a Best of the Rest section.
The Panthers agreed to terms with former Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd on a three-year, $45 million contract ($25 million guaranteed), adding a Pro Bowl-caliber defender after Jacksonville did not exercise his fifth-year option; the move follows Carolina's earlier signing of Jaelan Phillips to bolster the defense.
Washington Commanders are lining up a bold, tone-setting free-agent push as the market opens, with the Packers’ recent player swap signaling that Quay Walker—a 2022 first-round pick—will hit the open market and has been linked to Washington as a potential upgrade at linebacker amid a busy offseason for GM Adam Peters.