Buccaneers Land Rozeboom: A Special Teams Steal or More?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dipped into the free agency pool this week, securing linebacker Christian Rozeboom from the Carolina Panthers. Agents Chris Gittings and Jeremiah Sirles confirmed the move to NFL Network on Monday, a quiet signing that might just prove to be a shrewder play than it appears on the surface. Rozeboom, 27, spent the last two seasons with the Panthers, playing primarily special teams, and saw limited defensive snaps.

Look, you’re not signing Rozeboom for his Pro Bowl potential. His defensive snaps in 2023 totaled just 68 across 17 games, registering 15 tackles and one pass defensed. That’s hardly earth-shattering production. But dig a little deeper, and you see the Buccaneers are targeting a specific kind of player. This isn’t a splash signing. It’s a depth move, and a special teams upgrade.

Thing is, special teams often gets overlooked until it costs you a game. Just look at the 2022 NFC Championship, where a critical fumbled punt return by the 49ers swung momentum. Rozeboom has been a consistent performer in that third phase of the game. He played 338 special teams snaps for the Panthers last year, putting him among the team leaders. He was also credited with five special teams tackles in 2023, a solid number for a unit that often decides field position.

Now, the hot take: Rozeboom has a genuine chance to carve out a surprising role on defense for the Bucs. Tampa Bay’s linebacker corps, while talented at the top with Lavonte David and Devin White (assuming White stays), needs reliable backups. K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell are still developing. Rozeboom brings experience and a high motor. He’s not going to unseat anyone, but he's a dependable body in the middle.

His journey to the NFL wasn't easy. Undrafted out of Wyoming in 2020, he initially signed with the Rams. He spent two seasons in Los Angeles, playing 33 games, mostly on special teams, before heading to Carolina. He recorded his first career sack in Week 17 of the 2021 season against the Baltimore Ravens. That kind of grit and determination usually translates well in new locker rooms.

The Buccaneers finished 9-8 last season, winning the NFC South. They’re a team that knows how to find value in less-heralded players. Remember how many thought Baker Mayfield was done? He threw for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2023. This Rozeboom signing isn't going to dominate headlines, but it's the kind of move that championship-contending teams make to fill out their roster with high-character, productive specialists. He’s going to compete, and he’s going to make a difference on special teams from day one.

Bold prediction: Rozeboom finishes the 2024 season with more defensive snaps than any other non-starter linebacker on the Buccaneers roster.