Linebacker Christian Rozeboom. Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Panthers' leading tackler Christian Rozeboom stays in NFC South

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Mar 23, 2026 8:23 PM ET

The Carolina Panthers might be kicking themselves for letting linebacker Christian Rozeboom out the door as a free agent.

At the very least, they could wind up regretting the decision twice in 2026, because Rozebook, their leading tackler from 2025, will be staying in the NFC South.

Rozeboom signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.

Details of Rozeboom's new contract have yet to be released, but it's worth noting that Spotrac believed he was worth a one-year, $3 million contract as a free agent.

The Panthers had signed Rozebook to a one-year, $2.5 million contract in the spring of 2025, so that tracks.

LB Christian Rozeboom is a Bucccaneer pic.twitter.com/BeMggLfkLJ
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 23, 2026

Rozeboom was supposed to be a defensive depth player for the Panthers in 2025, but he ended up playing a much bigger role than anticipated.

Ultimately, he notched 122 tackles with two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Christian Rozeboom is a winning football player

He started 15 games and was just one of five NFL linebackers to record at least 120 tackles, 2.0 sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery last season.

Rozeboom is 29 and was an undrafted free agent out of South Dakota State.

The majority of his NFL career was spent with the Los Angeles Rams. He was a part of their Super Bowl LVI squad. He also helped the Panthers win the NFC South last season, so this guy is a winner.

Speaking of, he's still the Jackrabbits' all-time leader in tackles.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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