Heading into the 2026 offseason, Tampa Bay significantly upgraded the depth at inside linebacker. The team added three players who bring starting experience and on-field versatility, creating a scenario where Dennis faces an uphill battle to reclaim a near-term starting role. While the Buccaneers typically operate with 4-3 or 3-4 alignments depending on the week and opponent, their current personnel suggests a preference for multiple experienced options over a developing veteran who has yet to demonstrate a definitive impact at the professional level beyond his rookie season.
One notable addition is Alex Anzalone, who has started for the Detroit Lions for several seasons. Anzalone brings extensive game-day experience and the ability to contribute in both run defense and coverage, areas where Dennis’s coverage performance had been criticized during his 2025 campaign. Anzalone’s presence provides a veteran counterbalance to a young roster and gives the defense a trusted communicator and stabilizing force in the middle of the field.
In addition, Christian Rozeboom joined the Buccaneers after a stint with the Carolina Panthers, where he rose to a starting role and contributed as a versatile linebacker capable of stepping into multiple schemes. Rozeboom’s experience with a variety of defensive fronts adds to the Buccaneers’ flexibility on defense, allowing the coaching staff to deploy different packages that can keep Dennis on the sideline unless injuries create an opportunity.
The team also used a high-round draft pick on Josiah Trotter, signaling a long-term investment in athletic potential and instinctive play recognition. Drafting a second-round pick at linebacker typically communicates a belief that the player can contribute early, especially in sub-packages or special packages designed to exploit matchups. With three veterans who are capable of starting and a rookie with high upside, the path for Dennis to see meaningful snaps becomes more narrow.
Dennis’s 2025 performance provides context for why the coaching staff would be cautious about a major on-field role for him in 2026. He was among the lower-performing linebackers in pass coverage among his peers, a critical area for modern NFL defenses where linebackers are often required to cover tight ends, running backs, and occasionally zone-offs in the middle of the field. Comparatively, Anzalone has been brought in with a stronger emphasis on coverage aptitude, which aligns with a defensive scheme that values linebackers who can handle versatile responsibilities against both the run and pass.
With the infusion of depth, the Buccaneers’ early expectations for Dennis appear tempered. The coaching staff will likely prioritize developing the younger players and finding the best combination for each week’s game plan, rather than placing a premium on Dennis’s progression in 2026. Given that Dennis is entering the final year of his rookie contract, the team’s financial and roster incentives are aligned with utilizing players who can contribute immediately and provide long-term value. This approach reduces the likelihood of a guaranteed role for Dennis unless he seizes a starting opportunity or a well-defined role within the special-teams units.
From a strategic standpoint, Tampa Bay’s linebacker corps could be more dynamic if offseason acquisitions and the draft pick gel with the established core. Anzalone’s presence in the lineup could push Dennis toward a role primarily in sub-packages or as a rotational depth piece rather than a trusted starter. Rozeboom’s adaptability and Trotter’s ceiling give the coaching staff multiple avenues to tailor packages to opposing offenses, potentially limiting Dennis’s exposure to the field.
The broader takeaway is that the Buccaneers are prioritizing immediate impact and strategic depth at the linebacker position. Dennis, as a former fourth-year player who has shown flashes but not yet established a consistent, game-changing presence, may find it difficult to secure a central role in 2026. If his development stalls or if the rookies and veterans prove more versatile in practice and in preseason games, the likelihood grows that Dennis ends up contributing mainly on special teams or as a depth option, with a potential move to a new team in free agency after the season.
In summary, Tampa Bay’s 2026 linebacker plan emphasizes depth, versatility, and immediate contributions from experienced players, which reduces the likelihood of Dennis occupying a starting role. The competition is intense, and the evaluation process will hinge on how well each player performs in training camp, exhibition games, and the regular-season schedule. Dennis will need to demonstrate exceptional readiness and adaptability to defy the odds and secure meaningful playing time amid a crowded inside linebacker group.
