Could Logan Wilson be a fit in Tampa Bay’s defense?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may not have circled linebacker as their biggest offseason need just yet, but the situation could become an in-season nightmare if they don't play their cards right.

Lavonte David, the heartbeat of the defense for over a decade, is not guaranteed to return and has been rumored to be contemplating retirement. That leaves Tampa Bay thin at a position that demands communication, discipline, and leadership in Todd Bowles’ scheme.

SirVocea Dennis is viewed internally as the LB2 and pressure linebacker, a downhill attacker who can threaten gaps and add juice as a blitzer. What he has not yet proven is that he can command the entire defense as the green-dot signal-caller. If David retires, Tampa would lack a proven defensive quarterback in the middle. Anthony Walker Jr. is no longer under contract, and Deion Jones is no longer under contract and has played in fewer than 150 snaps in the past two seasons.

That is where Logan Wilson becomes interesting.

Wilson, 29, was drafted in the third round in 2020 by the Bengals and became a central figure in Cincinnati’s defense. He logged multiple 1,000-snap seasons, including 1,155 snaps in 2022 and 1,068 in 2023, showing durability and volume capability. His PFF résumé includes a 74.6 overall defensive grade in 2022 and an elite 90.0 run-defense grade in 2024. At his peak, he was a reliable early-down defender who could control the box and finish plays.

However, Wilson's career has seen a few hurdles as of late.

Wilson’s overall defensive grade dropped to 52.6 in 2025, with noticeable regression in coverage consistency. Cincinnati’s front office appeared to anticipate flexibility when they signed him to a four-year, $36 million extension in 2023. The deal included $10 million guaranteed at signing and a potential out after 2025, with zero dead cap in the remaining years. That structure suggests the Bengals wanted an escape hatch if performance dipped. Performance dipped, so the Bengals chose to move on from Wilson in hopes of a younger player with a lower contract stepping up.

Dallas was the team that picked up Wilson after Cincinnati, but they later moved on as well, despite having their own linebacker instabilities. His 2025 cap hit was manageable, and his deal had already been restructured with void years, meaning finances alone were not the sole driving factor. When two teams in need of linebacker stability move on in quick succession, it forces evaluators to ask whether athletic decline or scheme fit played a role.

For Tampa Bay, this would not be about upside.

Wilson turns 30 during the 2026 season. He is not a developmental swing, but more of a short-term stabilizer. If David returns, Tampa is likely to lean toward youth and continuity. But if David walks away, the Buccaneers may not have the luxury of waiting for Dennis to grow into the role organically.

If Tampa signs Logan Wilson, it will not be because he represents the future of the defense. It will be because they need someone to steady it.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Could Logan Wilson fit the Buccaneers defense in 2026?