Will The Bucs Platoon At MLB Again In 2024?

K.J. Britt made a brief, yet favorable impression as Tampa Bay’s starting middle linebacker last year, replacing Devin White down the stretch. With White not re-signed in free agency, Britt is the current favorite to replace the five-year starter as the full-time Mike linebacker.

Britt started six of the last seven games of the Bucs’ 2023 season, including the playoffs, and brought stability and consistency to the linebacker position that White just could not deliver in his contract year. While Britt was listed as the starter down the stretch, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles actually platooned Britt and White. Britt, who is more of a downhill thumper, was primarily used on first and second downs, while Bowles would often deploy White on third downs and obvious passing downs to take advantage of his coverage and blitzing ability.

The Bucs love Britt’s professional demeanor, and after three years primarily as a core special teams player, co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Larry Foote feels like he is ready to become a full-time starting linebacker in Tampa Bay this season.

“He’s a serious dude,” Foote said of Britt. “He’s physical, he’s kind of a throwback. Downhill linebacker, got great instincts, knows how to find the ball. He loves ball, he’s serious, every day he’s early to the meetings. He does a good job studying, knowing the line adjustments, the stunts, he communicates. You ask D-linemen, they like that, it helps them play faster. He’s a true pro, just thinking about K.J. he’s a pro, he loves football.”

But in order to be an every down player like Lavonte David, Britt needs to improve in pass coverage.

K.J. Britt Wants To Be An Every-Down LB For The Bucs

Bucs ILB KJ Britt and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts – Photo by: USA Today

If K.J. Britt wants to get out of the platoon situation he was in last year and play all three downs, he’s going to need to show he can handle everything Bucs head coach and defensive play-caller Todd Bowles puts on his plate. Britt’s PFF coverage grade during the time that he started was generally around 60, which is below average, with the exception of a road game against Atlanta where it rocketed up to 81.

Britt, who is entering a contract year, is a physical force and is consistent in the run game with his sure tackling ability. But in training camp he’s going to have to show Foote and Bowles that he shouldn’t be taken off the field on any down or play.

“Anytime you’re a Mike linebacker you’re more physical,” Foote said. “You’re better going forward. What his job is going to be is prove to Todd (Bowles) I can be on the field for all three downs. The height, weight, measurements and all that stuff are all thrown out the window. Can you do it?

“That’s when my job kicks in as far as getting him to understand his leverage and understanding the defense. If you’re a Mike linebacker you’ve got to prove to the coordinator, and this is a passing league, you’ve got to prove to him that I can stay on the field on third down.”

Bucs Backup LBs SirVocea Dennis And J.J. Russell Are Also In The Mix To Start

Would Todd Bowles consider rotating other linebackers with K.J. Britt in a platoon situation like last year, as he did with Devin White on third downs? Tampa Bay will have SirVocea Dennis going into his second year and J.J. Russell is heading into his third season. Both linebackers each got one start last year and made a good first impression.

Bucs ILB SirVocea Dennis – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Russell started in one game last season during the 21-18 win over the Panthers in Week 13 and had seven tackles for loss and a sack. His 71 snaps in that game were his only defensive snaps all season. Dennis started the Colts game the previous week and showed early on that he has the ability in pass coverage and did quite well when put into a bigger role because of Lavonte David’s injury at San Francisco.

The middle linebacker job is Britt’s to lose, and the full-time role is Britt’s to gain. Tampa Bay cross-trains a lot of  its defensive players, whether it’s at safety, nickel cornerback or the team’s linebackers at both the middle (Mike) and weakside (Money) spots.

“Where the league is, it’s 11 personnel so those two guys are interchangeable,” Bucs inside linebackers coach Larry Foote said. “You got to be able to play both spots. I train those guys, the whole room, you got to know both spots if you want to make this team and you want to play.

Bucs ILB K.J. Britt – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

He’s (Dennis) is more athletic like a Lavonte David, he’s cerebral in the pass game, he does a good job, he was a great blitzer in college. He does have a knack at rushing the passer, but it’s just competition time.”

In addition to Dennis challenging Britt for playing time at Mike linebacker, Foote said that Russell is also in the running for an upgraded role.

“Absolutely,” he said. “If you’re in this room, every day you go out there you audition. He stepped up for us big time last year, I don’t know if you remember but K.J. got hurt early and we had to throw a DB (Ryan Neal) in there [versus Carolina]. He did a good job communicating, and that’s what you want.

“You want those guys to be able to communicate, don’t miss a beat, and the starters, the old guys, they demand that from you, so those guys got to be ready when your name is called. He did a great job for us. He’s physical, he’s a pro guy, he’s ready.”