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The Bucs are not bringing back one member of their defense from 2024. The team is letting restricted free agent linebacker J.J. Russell go to free agency. This is according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports.
Bucs ILB JJ Russell and Bengals QB Joe Burrow – Photo by: USA Today
The Bucs are not tendering restricted free agent linebacker J.J. Russell, making him an unrestricted free agent. Could bring him back for less than the $3.2 million low tender — had 33 tackles in 2024, giving him 49 in three years since making the team undrafted out of Memphis.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) March 10, 2025
Russell has been with the team since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. He has quietly moved up the team’s depth chart from practice squad player to starting by the end of last year. In order to retain his rights, the Bucs would have had to tender him a one-year contract at a $3.2 million salary.
J.J. Russell’s Path To Starting For The Bucs
Bucs ILB JJ Russell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
After appearing in six games in 2022, Russell played special teams in eight games in 2023. He also had one start on defense in Week 13.
He played well in that lone appearance, recording seven tackles and a sack. Russell went back to a reserve role as starters Lavonte David and Devin White got healthy.
This past season, Russell began the season as LB4 behind starters David and K.J. Britt, as well as 2023 draft pick SirVocea Dennis. But after Dennis was lost to a season-ending injury following the Bucs’ Week 4 win over Philadelphia, he was pushed up the depth chart to the primary backup spot.
He would get some extended looks due to injury in Weeks 9, 13 and 15 before finally securing the starting spot from Britt in Week 16.
He finished the season with 33 tackles, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
The Bucs will be looking to upgrade their linebacker play this season and appear to be moving on from Russell as part of that plan. They could alternatively still work out a different deal for less than the $3.2 million tender.
For his career, Russell has 49 tackles, one tackle for loss, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.
