Buccaneers Predicted to Part Ways With $10 Million Edge Rusher

“Linebacker Anthony Nelson has never been a full-time starter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,” Knox wrote. “What he’s been over the past three years is a highly productive outside ‘backer who can set the edge, clog passing lanes and get after the opposing quarterback. Nelson, who will turn 28 in March, isn’t quite a pure pass-rusher, but he was very effective in that role in 2024. Having played both outside linebacker and defensive end in Tampa, he should be viewed as a fit for a variety of base schemes.”

Nelson was selected by the Buccaneers in the fourth round (No. 107 overall) in the 2019 NFL draft after he was a 2-time All-Big Ten pick at Iowa and played all 16 games in 2020 as the Buccaneers won the second Super Bowl in franchise history.

Nelson came into his own over the last 4 seasons, with 17.5 of his 18.5 career sacks since 2021, including career highs of 5.5 sacks and 8 starts in 2022 — a contract year for Nelson that landed him his current deal.

Nelson, 6-foot-7 and 271 pounds, has several qualities that might make him appealing to teams looking for reliable edge rusher depth — he’s only missed 1 regular season game since 2020 and has a ton of postseason experience with 9 career playoff games.

The Buccaneers have tried every way imaginable to add edge rushing help in recent years and come up short. Their 2021 first round pick, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, has failed to live up to expectations and is also expected to sign elsewhere in free agency.

Most recently, the Buccaneers signed veteran edge rusher Randy Gregory to a 1-year, $5 million contract in April 2024 with the hope he could be either a starter or, at the very least, a high impact rotational player. Gregory ended up being a no-show, no-call for minicamp and training camp and was eventually released by the Buccaneers without ever having played in a game.