K.J. Britt Signs With AFC Team, Bucs Sign Veteran ILB

Former Bucs starting inside linebacker K.J. Britt has signed a one-year deal with the Dolphins, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In the same post, Schefter reported that Tampa Bay countered by signing former Dolphins inside linebacker Anthony Walker.

K.J. Britt’s Time With Bucs

The Bucs originally drafted Britt in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He served as an understudy to Lavonte David, Devin White and Kevin Minter his rookie year, logging just 28 defensive snaps while tying for the team lead in special teams snaps with 372.

He moved into the primary backup role in 2022, but still failed to log many defensive snaps as David and White went wire-to-wire that season. He once again performed well on special teams, ranking fourth on the team with five tackles in that facet of the game.

Late in 2023, Britt stood out and eventually cut into White’s playing time. He started six of the Bucs’ last seven games of the season, including the playoffs, and set career highs in snaps (252), tackles (29) and pressures (3).

The 2024 campaign was supposed to be a breakout year for Britt. After flashing above-average instincts that allowed his below-average speed and athleticism to play up the year prior, the team and fans were both hopeful his brand of sound, smart football would be an upgrade over White, who the team opted not to re-sign.

Bucs ILB K.J. Britt – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR

While Britt once again set career highs in most statistical categories, the season was still largely a disappointment. Tampa Bay was hoping to mitigate the athletic concerns with him by playing SirVocea Dennis for Britt on passing downs. Unfortunately, Dennis suffered a season-ending shoulder injury early in the season and the Bucs had to lean on Britt as a full-time player.

His deficiencies were exploited by opposing offenses and the Bucs pass defense suffered as a result. Pro Football Focus credited Britt with a 40.9 coverage grade (60.0-65.0 is considered average), and the Bucs pass defense ranked 22nd in the NFL in EPA/pass allowed. By the end of the season, Britt had lost playing time to J.J. Russell in similar fashion to how White lost playing time to him the year prior.

Bucs Add An Experienced ILB In Anthony Walker

Now, Britt will try to reclaim a starting role with the Dolphins. His football IQ, thicker frame and downhill style make him an ideal player for a defense looking for a run-stuffing presence in the middle of the field. For his career, Britt has 126 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, three passes defensed and 0.5 sacks.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is in the midst of an off-season transformation of their linebacker room. With the team re-signing Lavonte David and SirVocea Dennis, Anthony Walker joins the fold looking to compete for playing time.

Bucs ILB Anthony Walker – Photo by: USA Today

Walker will be entering his ninth NFL season and has plenty of experience, having played in 99 career games with 83 starts. In that time, he has amassed 581 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and four interceptions. Before spending last year with Dolphins, he also spent time with the Browns and Colts, who drafted him in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Like Britt, his 6-foot-1, 235-pound frame is fit for being more of a run-stuffer. Walker does have a history of production, including a four-year run between 2018-2021 where he had 434 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and three interceptions. He has had just 23 starts in the three seasons since, but the 29-year-old will be looking to get on track playing a role in head coach Todd Bowles’ defense.

The Bucs still need to get more athletic and faster at the position. There are still some options in free agency should they look to add another veteran linebacker into the mix. The 2025 NFL Draft doesn’t have a ton of top-end talent, but there are some athletic options in the middle rounds such as Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa.

– Pewter Report’s Adam Slivon contributed to this story.