The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made a significant move in fortifying their linebacker corps by signing Anthony Walker, a native of Miami, Florida. Walker's decision to join the Bucs was heavily influenced by his admiration for Lavonte David, a franchise legend and fellow Miami native. During his introductory press conference, Walker expressed his respect for David, emphasizing his impact on the team and the community. He stated that having the chance to be teammates with David was a dream come true. Walker confirmed that he and David had been discussing the possibility of this move since Walker's draft year, making this a long-awaited collaboration. The Buccaneers now look to build a strong foundation for their linebacking corps, aiming for both immediate and long-term success.

In a recent free agency shake-up, the Miami Dolphins have acquired linebacker K.J. Britt from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers while sending Anthony Walker Jr. to Tampa. Britt, who previously made an impact in 2023 with four starts and 72 tackles, will bolster Miami's inside linebacker position alongside Jordyn Brooks as they look to enhance their defense under coordinator Anthony Weaver.

Walker, a Miami native, had a solid season with the Dolphins, recording 68 tackles, a sack, and an interception. His departure paves the way for Tyrel Dodson, who has shown promise since being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks. Both teams aim to improve their linebacker corps through this strategic swap.

The Miami Dolphins are in search of a starting inside linebacker to pair with Jordyn Brooks for the upcoming season, with options including free agents and potential draft picks. Channing Tindall, a third-round pick in 2022, has yet to establish himself as a starter, which complicates the situation. Tyrel Dodson and Anthony Walker Jr. are both candidates, having previously filled the role, while the draft may yield new talent.

Some notable free agents include Ernest Jones, who just had knee surgery but has consistently hit the 100-tackle mark, and veteran Eric Kendricks, who had a solid performance with the Cowboys last season. Meanwhile, other potential recruits, like Jamie Sherwood and Lavonte David, offer varying degrees of experience and skill. The Dolphins' choices will weigh heavily on both immediate needs and future potential.

The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a challenging offseason following a subpar 2024 season, ending with an 8-9 record and missing the playoffs. With a tight budget, the team is currently $2.6 million over the projected salary cap, a significant shift from last year when they started $51.9 million over. The situation is exacerbated by the recent $212.4 million extension for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, which increases his cap hit to $39.44 million.

In addition to managing Tagovailoa's lucrative deal, the Dolphins will have to make critical decisions regarding their own free agents, such as safeties Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer, along with multiple guards and defensive players. The team may have to look for economical options in free agency to fill the roster's gaps, especially in light of potential retirements among veteran players.

The Miami Dolphins are facing a challenging injury situation as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's hip issue remains a focal point. On Wednesday, three starters, tackle Terron Armstead, safety Jordan Poyer, and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., were unable to practice due to various injuries. Armstead had previously exited the Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns, while Walker missed that game entirely. Poyer, despite his knee and finger issues, managed to start.

Additionally, Tagovailoa, along with wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and safety Jevon Holland, were listed as limited participants in practice. The Dolphins also noted punter Jake Bailey's back injury, while linebacker Duke Riley was a full participant despite a foot issue.

On the other side, the New York Jets' injury report reflected a walk-through practice, leading to an estimation of player statuses. Five players were marked as Did Not Practice (DNP), including cornerback Sauce Gardner, defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. Tight end Tyler Conklin and tackle Morgan Moses also fell under the DNP category, while guard John Simpson was limited due to a groin injury.