While the NFL Draft Combine is surely going to dominate the conversation this week, free agency looms in the not-so-distant future. Teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be keeping an eye on the incoming draft class, as Jason Licht has proved his ability to mine for gold, but the team isn’t that far off from truly competing for a Super Bowl.
Defense was a fatal flaw last year, and while Todd Bowles did what he could with a depleted unit there’s no getting around how struggles on that side of the ball impacted the season not reaching it’s potential. Injuries ravaged the defensive depth, specifically at linebacker where the Bucs were thin almost from the get-go. Lavonte David helped fill the gap a bit with an outstanding — potentially final — season, but Tampa Bay needed to rely on guys like K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell far more than they should have.
That’s not a knock on either guy, but the fact that the Bucs were digging that deep into depth chart bag for starters proves how dire things got.
Addressing that depth is of paramount importance this offseason. Not only is fortifying depth key, but if Lavonte David decides to retire then it will create a massive void the Bucs don’t seem ready to fill. The draft will be used to add some talent, but there’s already some interesting bargain option emerging in free agency that could end up being lottery tickets that pay off well for Tampa Bay.
Buccaneers should think about taking a flier on Shaq Thompson to help address linebacker situation
On Monday the Carolina Panthers announced that linebacker Shaq Thompson would not be re-signed, ending his 10-year career with the team. Thompson will now hit free agency and do so as a potential target for the Buccaneers to swoop in and help give a second chance to after a rough last few seasons.
Panthers recently informed veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson that he will be allowed to become a free agent and the team does not plan to re-sign him. pic.twitter.com/LD1clAXAJT
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 24, 2025
Thompson has been a key piece of Carolina’s defense since 2015 and helped the team reach the Super Bowl during his rookie season. He turned in a career high in tackles and assists back in 2022 while also starting in all 17 games. That was the last time he’s truly been impactful, as back-to-back seasons have been wiped out due to injuries.
He suffered a broken fibula In Week 2 back in 2023 which ended his season prematurely, as did a torn Achilles in Week 4 last season. He’s battled injuries his whole career, but we saw a glimpse of the game changing linebacker he can be when he was able to stay healthy for a full season just three years ago.
That’s part of what helps him check a ton of boxes for the Bucs as a potential free agent target this offseason. He’s coming off two injury-shortened seasons which could drive his price down from where it might otherwise be, but it also suggests he has a fire in his belly that could serve as motivation to prove the Panthers wrong for letting him go.
It’s a mindset that gels perfectly with the identity of the Buccaneers’ locker room. Above all else, Thompson fills a need at linebacker that Tampa Bay needs to address at some point this offseason. Depth was tested in a big way last season and while edge rusher is by far the top priority the team has, linebacker isn’t too far behind.
There’s risk involved with taking a chance on Thompson, as his bad injury luck could come back to bite the Bucs if they bring him in.
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