The Bucs will not be bringing again one member of their protection from 2024. The workforce is letting restricted free agent linebacker J.J. Russell go to free company. That is in response to Greg Auman of Fox Sports activities.
Bucs ILB JJ Russell and Bengals QB Joe Burrow – Picture by: USA Right this moment
The Bucs will not be tendering restricted free agent linebacker J.J. Russell, making him an unrestricted free agent. May convey him again for lower than the $3.2 million low tender — had 33 tackles in 2024, giving him 49 in three years since making the workforce undrafted out of Memphis.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 10, 2025
Russell has been with the workforce since getting into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has quietly moved up the workforce’s depth chart from observe squad participant to beginning by the tip of final 12 months. In an effort to retain his rights, the Bucs would have needed to tender him a one-year contract at a $3.2 million wage.
J.J. Russell’s Path To Beginning For The Bucs
Bucs ILB JJ Russell – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
After showing in six video games in 2022, Russell performed particular groups in eight video games in 2023. He additionally had one begin on protection in Week 13.
He performed effectively in that lone look, recording seven tackles and a sack. Russell went again to a reserve position as starters Lavonte David and Devin White acquired wholesome.
This previous season, Russell started the season as LB4 behind starters David and Ok.J. Britt, in addition to 2023 draft decide SirVocea Dennis. However after Dennis was misplaced to a season-ending harm following the Bucs’ Week 4 win over Philadelphia, he was pushed up the depth chart to the first backup spot.
He would get some prolonged seems to be on account of harm in Weeks 9, 13 and 15 earlier than lastly securing the beginning spot from Britt in Week 16.
He completed the season with 33 tackles, two passes defensed and one fumble restoration.
The Bucs shall be seeking to improve their linebacker play this season and seem like shifting on from Russell as a part of that plan. They might alternatively nonetheless work out a distinct deal for lower than the $3.2 million tender.
For his profession, Russell has 49 tackles, one deal with for loss, two passes defensed and one fumble restoration.
