2026 NFL Free Agency: The 10 Best Under-the-Radar Deals So Far This Offseason

Most of the splashy deals in NFL free agency have already been executed, with billions of dollars in contracts being dished out through the first two-plus weeks. But as some of those contracts approached or went over the $100 million mark, there were some that weren't as pricey that might shape how the 2026 NFL season plays out. Which signings were bargains? Which moves received less fanfare than they should've? Let's take a look at our top 10 under-the-radar signings so far in free agency before we start to turn our attention to the NFL Draft. 10. Alohi Gilman, S, Kansas City Chiefs (Three years, $24.75 million) Kansas City had a lot of institutional knowledge and talent on the defensive side of the football leave the building this offseason. Slot corner Trent McDuffie was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, with teammate and fellow cornerback Jaylen Watson following him in free agency. Safety Bryan Cook also departed, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. Signing Gilman to a three-year, $24.75 million deal from the Baltimore Ravens in free agency brings some experience and versatility to Kansas City’s defense.  The former Los Angeles Charger returns to the AFC West and should provide some leadership for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo as he attempts to remake the defense with more additions through the draft. 9. Cobie Durant, CB, Dallas Cowboys (One year, $4 million) A versatile, playmaking cornerback who mostly fills a need as a slot defender, Durant will not only be an upgrade to the Cowboys' secondary, but he'll improve the backend of their defense on a pretty valuable contract. Dallas signed Durant to a team-friendly deal that includes $1.5 million in guaranteed money. Durant has seven career interceptions, including two returned for four touchdowns in four NFL seasons. Durant played in a multiple, 3-4 base scheme with the Rams, and should help as the Cowboys transition to a 3-4 scheme with new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. The Cowboys also signed Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson in free agency. The addition of Thompson and Durant provides experience and position flexibility in the back end defensively. 8. Jason Sanders, K, New York Giants (One year, $1.425 million) New Giants head coach John Harbaugh brought in one of the best kickers from last season to fix an inconsistent kicking game for New York in 2025. The Giants used three different kickers last season, including 38-year-old, injury-prone Graham Gano, who moved on at the end of the season. Yes, Sanders had injury issues last year. Sanders did not play last season due to a hip issue and was released by the Miami Dolphins at the end of the season. However, in 2024, Sanders made a franchise-record 27 consecutive field goals, including nine from 50-plus yards. Sanders is still 30 years old, and if healthy, is a low-cost option to help solidify New York’s kicking game. 7. Coby Bryant, S, Chicago Bears (three years, $40 million) The Cincinnati product emerged as a part-time role player at cornerback in his first two years with the Seattle Seahawks, into a full-time starter at safety who helped propel one of the best defenses in the league to a Super Bowl. Bryant is a versatile playmaker who is a sure tackler in the running game and should help solidify a defense that lost safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker in free agency. 6. Tyler Biadasz, C, Los Angeles Chargers (Three years, $30 million) The Chargers desperately needed to upgrade the offensive line and better protect Justin Herbert. And while more expensive options like Tyler Linderbaum proved out of reach, the Bolts secured a financially reasonable alternative who fits their scheme and at 28 years old, has some upside in Biadasz. Herbert was pressured a league-high 268 times in 2025. But with Biadasz serving as the anchor of the offense, along with the return of bookend offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, the Chargers should have much better pass protection. Los Angeles also worked to improve depth upfront by signing guard Curtis Strange, along with re-signing Tre Pipkins and Trevor Penning. Expect the Chargers to draft another interior offensive lineman early in this year’s draft. But Biadasz gives Herbert someone to ably serve as the quarterback of the offensive line. 5. Jonathan Allen, DT, Cincinnati Bengals (Two years, $25 million) Released by the Minnesota Vikings at the start of free agency in a cost-cutting move, the 31-year-old Allen brings grit and experience to a Cincinnati defense that struggled to get off the field all season. Even with one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Joe Burrow, the Bengals have missed the playoffs the last three seasons. Yes, Allen has struggled from a production standpoint in producing sacks, with just 12 over the last three seasons. But Allen should be more of an impact player as a situational pass rusher with a reduction in snaps. And the Bengals could use competency and versatility up front defensively. Allen joins former Seattle Seahawks edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook from Kansas City to add reinforcements to a Cincinnati defense that finished No. 30 in scoring last season. 4. Nahshon Wright, CB, New York Jets (One year, $3.5 million) Under first-year head coach and defensive guru Aaron Glenn, the Jets shockingly became the first team in NFL history to go without an interception for an entire season. The addition of Wright should help rectify that issue. He finished with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups in 2025 for the Bears. At 6-foot-4, Wright is a rangy, playmaking cornerback who should elevate New York’s defense's ability to create turnovers. Wright is part of a veteran overall on defense for the Jets that includes trading for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, along with signing linebacker Demario Davis, defensive tackle David Onyemata, safety Dane Belton and defensive tackles Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare. 3. Rico Dowdle, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (Two years, $12.25 million) After back-to-back, 1,000-yard seasons, the former Carolina Panthers runner cashed in for a decent deal in free agency. A physical runner capable of producing explosive plays, Dowdle also lands in a spot where he should get the opportunity to be the lead back in a rotation that includes Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson. Dowdle is also familiar with head coach Mike McCarthy’s offense from spending time together with the Dallas Cowboys. Along with the expectation that Aaron Rodgers returns for another season, the addition of Dowdle, along with the trade for Michael Pittman Jr., should help create a more efficient offense for the Steelers. 2. Dre Greenlaw, LB, San Francisco 49ers (One year, $6 million) San Francisco never wanted to let him get away to begin with, but after one year with the Denver Broncos, the tone-setting linebacker returns to the 49ers on a reasonable one-year deal. Paired with perennial All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, Greenlaw and the BYU product formed one of the best linebacker combos in the league. With his return, along with Warner’s recovery from a season-ending leg fracture, the two should help repair a San Francisco defense that surprisingly struggled to stop the run last season. Greenlaw’s return also should help with the transition from Robert Saleh to Raheem Morris at defensive coordinator, as the 49ers gear up to take full advantage of a closing Super Bowl window. 1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Atlanta Falcons (One year, $1.215 million) After one of his worst seasons as a pro, getting benched down the stretch in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, the Alabama product gets a second opportunity in Atlanta with head coach and offensive guru Kevin Stefanski. While first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. is the starter in Atlanta, that’s only written in pencil as he returns from a season-ending ACL injury. That means that Tagovailoa will get all the offseason reps with a starting group that includes Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts and Drake London. With Tagovailoa being paid $54 million by Miami this year, he’s a steal in terms of the talent he brings to the roster. Just 28 years old, Tagovailoa posted a 44-32 record with the Dolphins. In 2023, Tagovailoa made the Pro Bowl, leading the NFL in passing yards that season. In a winnable NFC North, the Falcons would like to help Tagovailoa reach that potential again.

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Team USA Stars Reveal What It Would Take for NFL Players to Master Flag Football

A minute before halftime of the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic last weekend, Team USA’s Velton Brown Jr. caught a pass just past midfield. He surveyed the open field around him and scanned the defense. Then he accelerated. As Team Wildcats' Luke Kuechly tried to pull one of his flags from behind, Brown contorted his body mid-sprint to make the Hall of Fame linebacker miss. When veteran NFL receiver DeAndre Hopkins lunged toward him by the sideline, Brown niftily jumped backward to avoid his arm. Then, with both Kuechly and Hopkins in front of him, Brown started a series of jukes. He slipped between them. Still, they couldn’t pull his flag. Brown’s dazzling array of moves finally ended at the 7-yard line, where his right knee touched the ground. But the viral highlight on Saturday — on top of Team USA’s dominance of current and former NFL stars throughout the day — encapsulated the message that the flag players hoped to send. Team USA went 3-0 to win Saturday’s round-robin tournament in Los Angeles, scoring on every possession except a kneel-down at the end of one victory. "I think truly that guys understand that flag football is its own sport," Darrell "Housh" Doucette, a Team USA flag national team member since 2021 and MVP of Saturday’s tournament, told me. "We are in our own lane." The flag players were noticeably smaller and quicker than their NFL counterparts. Their shiftiness often made their opponents look silly. But the biggest takeaway was the flag players’ mastery of their sport, prompting discussion about what it would take for NFL players to challenge for spots on the U.S. flag team that will compete in the 2028 Olympics, when flag football will make its Olympic debut. [4 Takeaways From Fanatics Flag Football Classic] As a discipline of football, the flag game’s similarities to tackle football are clear. The ball looks the same. The ability to throw, catch and cover translates. Speed, athleticism and versatility matter, too. But flag football is a faster game than tackle football. It’s played on a much smaller field (50 yards long between the end zones, 25 yards wide). Receivers have to run routes differently in a smaller space. For quarterbacks, the clock in their head is sped up because the rush gets to them a lot faster than what they’re accustomed to. The non-contact component of flag is "obviously a glaring one" for NFL players, according to former NFL assistant coach Callie Brownson, USA Football’s senior director of high performance and national team operations. "I think when we say non-contact, everybody just automatically goes to tackling, which obviously is very true. You can’t tackle in a 5-on-5 game. But what also falls under that category of non-contact that people don’t give enough credit to is, for example, you can’t hold somebody up while you’re trying to pull their flag," Brownson told me. "You can’t initiate any sort of contact with a player at the top of the route. You can’t run through a player in order to make a play on the ball. You can’t shield or block or post anybody up. Non-contact is actually a little more complex than just the tackling component. "Then the other piece is flag-pulling," she added. "It’s a super, super unique skill that I don’t think enough people appreciate until they go through that process. You’re not just pulling a stationary flag. As you saw on Saturday, these are unique, dynamic movements that these ball carriers are making. The plane and the level of the flag is changing. The axis of the flag is changing on a dime. Flag-pulling is a super unique skill that’s particular to our sport. It [requires] a certain type of hand-eye coordination that has to be trained over time." Brown, the cousin of Detroit Lions star safety Kerby Joseph, played high school and semi-pro football before getting involved with flag football. He says there was an acclimation process to learning the nuances of flag. "A lot of people are used to the blocks," Brown told me. "A lot of people are used to the heavy hits and things like that, but flag consists of more finesse, more IQ to where it’s a smaller field. "You don’t necessarily get to read a hole like a running back. It’s a totally different game," he added. "Maybe a guy is trying to pull your flag and you may stiff-arm just because that's the natural instinct of what you’re used to. That was kind of the adjustment for me, learning how to keep my hands up and not to necessarily want to jam somebody or slap the ball out of their hands, things like that." Team USA member Isaiah Calhoun, who had a pick-six off Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, places a higher emphasis on smarts than athleticism in flag football. "If you just athletic and not smart, you’re not going to know what to do. But if you’re smart and add your athleticism to the game, then you’re going to be one of the best players in the world or one of the most known players in the world," Calhoun told me. "You have to learn from various people that have been playing for a long time before you get on the field. If you just get on the field and not know what to do, you’re going to be embarrassed out there." While it’s clear that there will be a learning curve for them to master flag football, NFL players remain on track to participate in the sport at the 2028 Olympics. Last May, NFL owners approved a resolution permitting it, though specifics of their participation must still be finalized with the NFL Players Association and relevant Olympic authorities. Doucette, Brown and Calhoun don’t see a problem with NFL players challenging for roster spots on the flag team. They view their involvement as part of their sport’s growth. "When [NFL players] step on the flag football field and they’re competing with us, they’re not NFL guys in my eyes," Doucette told me. "We all feel that we are one, we are equal and we are all flag football players at that time. And if they study the game and they’re willing to take the time out of their busy schedule and to come out and learn it, hey, man, hats off to them. Come out and be great, because now you’re a part of our community and we accept you with open arms, the same way they accepted us as peers over the past weekend. "We are the USA national team, but the USA national team also gives open invites to guys to come out and make the team better," Doucette added. "And if you say, OK, 10 [NFL] guys would be better suited for the game, and they go out there and win gold, you can’t blame them for putting out the 10 best guys. And I think that’s what it’s all about." Brownson said that "time on task" is the biggest thing that NFL players need with flag football. Athletes in basketball, soccer and track & field have also found success in the sport due to transferable skills, she said. "What you see sometimes in the tackle [football] world, a player has a predominant position in college and they get drafted and have to do something else at the NFL level. It’s no different than that in the sense that it takes reps and it takes time [to master flag football]," Brownson told me. "It’s specific to each player on how quickly they pick things up or how much practice they need. "There’s no really true, ‘Hey, here’s how much time it takes for you to be a great flag-puller.’ It’s unique to the player. But I’d say, holistically speaking, it’s time on task just like anything else to be able to build instincts that are applicable to flag." Team USA came out of the Fanatics event feeling like the NFL and celebrity players acknowledged the time they have put into their sport. "It was just like, ‘We understand why y’all do this,’" Doucette said of the conversations that transpired. "‘People look at y’all size, but they don’t understand how twitchy you guys are, how fast and how quick y’all can break down, whether it’s stopping on the dime or dropping low to dip through defenders.’ "Those guys really had the utmost respect for us," he added. "A big salute to those guys for accepting us."

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Alabama QB Ty Simpson: I'm 'Absolutely' a 1st Rounder in 2026 NFL Draft

Ty Simpson felt like he made a final impression at Alabama's pro day in front of NFL scouts. The Crimson Tide quarterback went through a 40-plus-minute throwing session Wednesday for dozens of the league's key decision makers. He previously threw at the NFL Scouting Cmbine in February but elected to go through another workout in Tuscaloosa. "Why not?" Simpson said. "Go have fun. Go sling it. You watch the tape of the pro day. There wasn’t any easy throws. I didn’t want to make it easy." Simpson is widely considered the No. 2 quarterback available in the draft behind Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, although at least one draft analyst believes Simpson is the top QB available. Simpson said he was invited to attend the draft in person in Pittsburgh. While he hasn't decided whether he will make the trip, his play on the field paired with his rise during the process reaffirmed what many believe: that he's a lock to be a first-round pick. "Absolutely," Simpson said. "I feel like I’ve done everything I can, but it’s not up to me. I just know that wherever I go, I’m going to give it my all and make sure I’ll put my best foot forward. "There’s going to be a lot of questions around my name. I know what I’m capable of, and I know whoever gets me is going to get a good player and a guy who loves football and a guy who loves the team and loves being a part of something bigger than himself." Simpson completed 64.5 % of his passes last season for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns. He was much more efficient early in the season. In his final five games, he averaged 156 yards passing with six touchdowns and three interceptions. It turned out he was dealing with injuries, including gastritis that dropped his weight below 200 pounds before the College Football Playoff; he left Alabama's blowout loss to eventual national champion Indiana in the Rose Bowl with a rib injury. Simpson weighed 211 pounds at the combine and is fully healthy entering the final phase of the draft process. He has already met with two teams: the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Jets. The Rams have the 13th overall pick, while the Jets select second and 16th. "I feel great," Simpson said. "Just getting back to normal — sleep, recovery. Things in the season you get caught up in because you’re watching tape, you’re practicing, you’re trying to cram everything in to make sure you’re ready for Saturday. I feel healthy as an ox." Simpson's positioning on draft boards will continue to drive conversation leading into next month's event. Now healthy, he hopes to display what he showed early in the 2025 season: a quarterback capable of elite play. He's confident he'll be able to convince teams that he's worthy of being one of the first players chosen. "When I go into a program, I’m program-changing," Simpson said. "I don’t just make myself better, I make other people better. If you draft me, and you want me to be your franchise quarterback, I’m not just coming in to look after myself. I’m looking after the whole team and making sure I leave it better than I left it." Reporting by The Associated Press.

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2026 NFL Draft No. 1 Pick Odds: Fernando Mendoza Heavy Favorite

Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is currently the clear favorite to be selected No. 1 in April's NFL Draft. However, it's not over until the commissioner calls the first name, and the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock. Let's check out the latest lines for the next No. 1 pick at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 25. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. 2026 NFL Draft No. 1 pick odds Fernando Mendoza (Indiana): -20000 (bet $10 to win $10.05 total)Arvell Reese (Ohio State): +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total)David Bailey (Texas Tech): +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)Ty Simpson (Alabama): +9000 (bet $10 to win $910 total)Rueben Bain, Jr (Miami): +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)Caleb Downs (Ohio State): +12000 (bet $10 to win $1,210 total)Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): +20000 (bet $10 to win $2,010 total) This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Here's what to know about the No. 1 pick oddsboard: The Favorite: Currently, the heavy favorite in this spot is Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, who moved all the way to -20000 from -8000 since the end of the college football season. In 2025, Mendoza had a dazzling year for the Hoosiers. Including the postseason, he passed for 3,535 yards and 41 touchdowns. The 2025 Heisman Trophy winner also helped lead the Hoosiers to a perfect season that culminated in a national championship. "The Raiders need a quarterback and Mendoza is the best one in this draft," FOX Sports Betting Analyst Geoff Schwartz wrote about Mendoza getting drafted first. "This is a no-brainer draft pick and no need to discuss the reasoning. Mendoza will be a Raider." Buckeye Long Shot: Considering Mendoza's odds to be selected No. 1 are so incredibly short, it seems unlikely that another player will end up hearing his name called first. With that in mind, the name closest to Mendoza's on the board is Ohio State's Arvell Reese at +8000. Schwartz noted that Reese is a "physical freak" whose on-the-field profile is similar to Micah Parsons. FOX Sports Lead College Football Analyst Joel Klatt echoed Schwartz's sentiment. "Reese has reminded me of star edge rusher Micah Parsons since the fall," Klatt noted. "He’s an excellent pass rusher, whether he’s rushing from the interior or edge. He’s got bend, athleticism and explosiveness." In 2024 and 2025, Reese racked up 52 solo tackles and assisted on 60. While he's a long shot in this spot, Reese does have the shortest odds to be the No. 2 draft pick.

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2026 NFL Draft No. 3 Pick Odds: David Bailey Leads Close Race at Top of Board

According to most analysts, bettors and bookmakers, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft in April. He's the heavy favorite to hear his name called first, with odds at some books as short as -20000 (bet $10 to win $10.05 total). When it comes to the second pick, Arvell Reese is at the top of that board. Although he's not as clear a favorite as Mendoza, his odds to go No. 2 are as short as -250. The No. 3 pick, however, is still a toss-up. In fact, there's not much separation between the first and third names. Let's take a look at the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 25. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. No. 3 NFL Draft Pick David Bailey (Texas Tech): +255 (bet $10 to win $35 total)Francis Mauigoa (Miami): +330 (bet $10 to win $43 total)Arvell Reese (Ohio State): +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame): +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)Sonny Styles (Ohio State): +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)Spencer Fano (Utah Utes): +1300 (bet $10 to win $140 total)Monroe Freeling (Georgia): +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)Rueben Bain Jr. (Miami): +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)Ty Simpson (Alabama): +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total)Caleb Downs (Ohio State): +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)Carnell Tate (Ohio State): +8000 (bet $10 to win $810 total) Here's what to know about this oddsboard: Red Raider at 3: Texas Tech's David Bailey is the 6-foot-3 linebacker who played his first three seasons at Stanford before transferring to Tech in 2025. During his short stint as a Red Raider, he had 32 solo tackles, assisted on 20 and had three defended passes. In his most recent mock draft, FOX Sports Lead College Football Analyst Joel Klatt has Bailey going third. "There's a lot of hype around Bailey, and rightly so," Klatt explained. "This guy is a game-wrecker … Bailey led all power-conference players in sacks and tackles for loss this past season. The [Arizona] Cardinals need help wherever they can get it, and Bailey will do that." Hurricane Mauigoa: Francis Mauigoa made a name for himself at Miami and is considered by some to be the best offensive lineman in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was a three-year starter for the Hurricanes, and during that time, he earned All-ACC First Team honors and was a 2025 consensus first-team All-American. Klatt, though, believes Mauigoa would be a good fit with the Dolphins and could get drafted with the 11th pick — not the third. "I’m not sure if he projects as a left tackle for the long haul," Klatt wrote, "but he’ll flourish right away at right tackle." Noteworthy Buckeye: Like Mauigoa at Miami and Bailey at Texas Tech, Arvell Reese had a valuable impact on his squad during his time at Ohio State. In 2024 and 2025, he had 52 solo tackles and assisted on 60 others. The 6-foot-4 Reese had seven total tackles in the Buckeyes' semifinal loss to Miami, including three solo. According to FOX Sports Betting Analyst Geoff Schwartz, Reese at three could be a perfect match. "Reese is a physical freak who projects to rush the passer in the NFL," Schwartz acknowledged. "His on-the-field profile (not projection) is Micah Parsons … He will make plays from a variety of alignments and the Cardinals can use him as it best fits their defense."

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Big Picture: Buccaneers Forced to Forge New Identity Without Mike Evans, Lavonte David

TAMPA BAY — For well over a decade, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their fans have always known that any season, good or bad, started with a foundation of two iconic players in receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David. The pain of Evans leaving in free agency to sign with the San Francisco 49ers had not yet subsided for those fans when Tuesday brought news — not surprising, but certainly not easy — that David was retiring after playing his entire 14-year career in Tampa. Between them, Evans and David played 411 games over 26 seasons for the Bucs, and were arguably the team's most beloved players before and after the Tom Brady years. David enjoyed one winning season in his first seven years in Tampa, and Evans the same in his first five. They both stuck around through the lean times so that when the franchise won a Super Bowl championship in the 2020 season and division titles the next four years, an entire fanbase had been through the highest of highs and lowest of lows with David and Evans. Both are no-brainer locks for the Bucs' Ring of Honor, and both have compelling cases for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, with Evans already having 108 receiving touchdowns and 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons; David finished his career with 1,716 tackles, tying him with Derrick Brooks for a franchise record that may never be broken. His 177 tackles for loss are the fourth-most in NFL history. And now both players are gone, in a span of two difficult weeks. Replacing them as playmakers is a daunting challenge, but what the Bucs lose in leadership and character and veteran guidance is even more immeasurable. Evans was the very first draft pick that Bucs general manager Jason Licht made in 2014, and David is literally the model the Bucs use when evaluating draft prospects — as players and as people. A wall-sized mural in the team's draft room has his silhouette with the words "I AM THAT MAN," listing five adjectives the team seeks in any new player: accountable, competitive, confident, passionate and resilient. "It's super-rare," Licht said of finding players that meet those standards the way David has during the linebacker's retirement press conference. "I can only hope that we draft a player like him again. It's hard. It's almost impossible." So how do the Bucs move forward without two such foundational pieces? The franchise was already in a harsh downturn, having gone from a 6-2 start to losing seven of eight games and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Free agency has been more about significant losses — Evans to the 49ers, corner Jamel Dean to the Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive lineman Logan Hall to the Houston Texans. The Bucs' sustained success had set them up for a run-it-back offseason where the goal was to keep a winning core as intact as possible. This spring has been different. Of their 21 unrestricted free agents, they have re-signed only four, and tight end Cade Otton was the only big name in that group. They've found value in seven outside additions, including linebacker Alex Anzalone, who steps into David's role, but there is now uncertainty where the team had enjoyed steady optimism for so many summers of late. With Evans, David and Dean gone, there are now only five players left from Tampa Bay's Super Bowl team just five years ago — receiver Chris Godwin, tackle Tristan Wirfs, defensive tackle Vita Vea, safety Antoine Winfield and outside linebacker Anthony Nelson. They are the last remnants of that championship team, tasked with keeping expectations high even as the outside perception fades. Wirfs, Winfield and Nelson were in attendance Tuesday as David bid farewell to the Bucs, and the linebacker pointed to other young players as emerging leaders. David was a 12-time captain in Tampa, from his third season on, so he knows that leadership isn't only from the most experienced players in the room. He mentioned safety Tykee Smith, whom he took under his wing, and defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, who went to the same Miami high school he attended. If Evans' departure was a shock for Bucs fans who had hoped he would play his entire career in one place, David's news was a chance to appreciate how rare that is. Tampa Bay's five Hall of Famers fit neatly into both categories. Lee Roy Selmon, Derrick Brooks and Ronde Barber were monogamous players, wire-to-wire Bucs and beloved for that. John Lynch and Warren Sapp finished their careers in Denver and Oakland, respectively, but are still loved by Tampa fans, as Evans will be. The closest thing to what Bucs fans have endured in the last two weeks might have been the spring of 2004, when they lost Lynch and Sapp, again two core leaders from a Super Bowl team. They did not win another playoff game until 2020. So this year's Bucs are tasked with avoiding an expected letdown, something they did well after Brady's retirement three years ago. The Bucs are still in a bad division, and the oddsmakers still have them as the team to beat in the NFC South, even with an underwhelming projected win total of 8.5 wins in 2026. The Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints are all within two games of that. Tampa Bay will forge a new identity without Evans and David, trying to fill voids on both sides of the ball to maintain the high standard both set in the second half of their Tampa Bay tenures. "It goes to show you what the future holds for this organization," David said Tuesday. "Winning football, underdog mentality, going out there and playing every game like it's your last. I know this organization will be in a great place."

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Buccaneers Star LB Lavonte David Announces Retirement From NFL After 14 Seasons

Lavonte David is retiring after playing all 14 seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. David made the announcement Tuesday at the team’s practice facility. "I feel it’s time to move on and find a different path in life, be a dad to that amazing little girl over there," David said. "Having a girl helped me become a man, helped me understand what’s important in life." The 36-year-old linebacker was the heart and soul of Tampa Bay’s defense, helping the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl by dominating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9 on Feb. 7, 2021. David is one of only five players in the past 35 seasons with 40 or more sacks and 35 or more takeaways. Hall of Famers Jason Taylor, Junior Seau, Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher are the other four. David finished tied with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the most tackles (1,714) in franchise history, according to team stats. David is the franchise record holder in forced fumbles (33) and fumble recoveries (21), third in games played (215) and games started (215) and fifth in sacks (42 1/2). Additionally, David holds the franchise playoff records for total tackles (79) and solo tackles (57). "Lavonte’s mark on our franchise could never be overstated," Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said. "For the entirety of his 14-year career, Lavonte set the standard for professionalism, leadership and consistency. He embodies everything that it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer and he is undoubtedly one of the best players to ever put on this uniform. His contributions to our franchise, to his teammates and to this community will leave an impact far beyond his playing years." A second-round pick out of Nebraska in 2012, David was a first-team All-Pro in 2013 and made the second team in 2016 and 2020. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and missed just 14 games in 14 years. David choked up talking about his parents and the sacrifices they made for him and his siblings, saying his dad would take him to practice on a bicycle because his mom needed the family car for work. He said he almost quit football when his mother passed away in 2016. "The day she passed away, I thought I lost it all," David said. "Luckily, I had friends and family by my side." The Buccaneers signed veteran linebackers Alex Anzalone and Christian Rozeboom in free agency, providing depth in advance of David’s departure. David’s decision marks the end of another era in Tampa Bay. Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans left the Buccaneers after 12 seasons, signing with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Both David and Evans were fan and coach favorites, team leaders and staples in the community throughout their tenure with the team. Several of his teammates and members of the organization filled the auditorium for David’s announcement. "For the past 14 seasons, Lavonte David has personified what it means to be a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. He was a selfless leader both on and off the field, playing with passion and a genuine love for the game. He leaves a legacy as a Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest players in franchise history, setting a standard that will continue to impact our organization for years to come," The Glazer Family, owners of the Buccaneers, said in a statement. "Today, we celebrate Lavonte’s legendary career as one of the most accomplished players of his era and thank him for the many memorable moments he provided our fans. Beyond the statistics and accolades, he will be remembered throughout Tampa Bay for his humble demeanor and strong commitment to our community. We wish him well on his journey after football and look forward to honoring his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements in the near future." Reporting by The Associated Press.

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