The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are off to an incredible start in 2025. Their 6-2 record is tied for the best start through eight games in franchise history.
But despite being comfortably in first place in the NFC South with a real chance to make a run for the No. 1 seed in the NFC, Tampa Bay still has one glaring weakness that is holding the team back from its full potential.
Buccaneers need to make a trade deadline upgrade at inside linebacker
Inside linebacker has been the Buccaneers’ weakest position two seasons in a row. Sure, Lavonte David is always reliable, but at 35-years-old he can’t shoulder the load by himself. In Bowles’ 3-4 scheme, the team needs another solid inside linebacker next to David, and the perfect option should be available on the trade block.
Jordyn Brooks of the Miami Dolphins currently leads the NFL in tackles, and has 2.5 sacks and a fumble recovery to go with his league-leading 93 total tackles.
Currently, the Buccaneers are in a tough spot relying on SirVocea Dennis as their No. 2 linebacker. Dennis has improved in recent weeks after a brutal start to the season, but Tampa Bay should still look to make an improvement at the position.
Heading into last week’s game, Dennis had surrendered a league-high 438 yards in coverage, per Pro Football Focus. That isn’t just the worst figure among linebackers, it’s the worst among all defenders, including defensive backs. Having a linebacker that teams can consistently pick on in coverage will prove to be a huge liability down the stretch, especially if the Buccaneers expect to make a deep playoff run.
Brooks could be the solution to this problem. He currently ranks No. 24 out of 80 qualifying linebackers for the 2025 season, per PFF. Dennis, in comparison, ranks No. 70 out of 80.
For a 2-6 Dolphins team that is firmly out of playoff contention and just parted ways with its general manager, now could be the perfect time for Jason Licht to pick up the phone and make a move.