New Headline: Izien Slams Buccaneers' Secondary
Starters Jamel Dean and Mike Evans left Tampa Bay as free agents. However, Christian Izien's departure could prove to be costly for the Buccaneers.
Two of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' best players from 2025 won't be with the team in 2026. They are the two free-agent losses that have gotten the most coverage so far. On the first day of free agency, Tampa lost Jamel Dean, who had been with the Bucs for seven seasons, to a three-year, $36.
75 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Shortly thereafter, franchise legend Mike Evans agreed to terms with the San Francisco 49ers . Both deals became official two days later once the new league year started, Evans might not be the only Bucs great leaving Tampa Bay.
Linebacker Lavonte David is 36 and contemplating retirement after 14 seasons. Of all of the Bucs exiting the franchise (Dean, Evans, possibly David), and those that are entering (running back Kenneth Gainwell, LB Alex Anzalone, DT A'Shawn Robinson, QB Jake Browning ), defensive back Christian Izien hasn't gotten much attention. Izien was only with the Bucs for three seasons and only played in nine games last year.
Of those nine games, in five of them, he combined for just eight snaps. Izien won't be with the Bucs next season, having signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions worth $2 million. It's not the type of deal that will generate many headlines, but for some, letting Izien walk is something the Bucs will ultimately regret.