The Bucs are usually not bringing again one member of their protection from 2024. The staff is letting restricted free agent linebacker J.J. Russell go to free company. That is in accordance with Greg Auman of Fox Sports activities.
Bucs ILB JJ Russell and Bengals QB Joe Burrow – Picture by: USA Immediately
The Bucs are usually not tendering restricted free agent linebacker J.J. Russell, making him an unrestricted free agent. Might carry 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 staff undrafted out of Memphis.
Russell has been with the staff since getting into the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has quietly moved up the staff’s depth chart from apply squad participant to beginning by the top of final yr. 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 properly in that lone look, recording seven tackles and a sack. Russell went again to a reserve function as starters Lavonte David and Devin White received wholesome.
This previous season, Russell started the season as LB4 behind starters David and Okay.J. Britt, in addition to 2023 draft choose 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 as a consequence 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 will probably be trying to improve their linebacker play this season and look like transferring on from Russell as a part of that plan. They may alternatively nonetheless work out a distinct deal for lower than the $3.2 million tender.
For his profession, Russell has 49 tackles, one sort out for loss, two passes defensed and one fumble restoration.
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