DeAngelo Malone
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Atlanta Falcons linebacker DeAngelo Malone.
Even on a micro level, losing free agents to an NFC South Division rival is going to sting a little for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — and may be more indicative of a bigger issue.
Something along the lines of maybe even mid-level free agents don’t want to come to the Buccaneers, who appear to be a sinking ship headed into 2026.
The latest to turn their back on the Buccaneers is free agent linebacker and special teams standout DeAngelo Malone, who chose to return to the Atlanta Falcons instead of signing with the Buccaneers after being hosted on a visit recently.
“Free agent linebacker DeAngelo Malone is returning to the Falcons on a one-year deal, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on his official X account on Wednesday.
“Malone had visited the Bucs last week,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account.
Bucs Trying to Create Identity on Special Teams
The Buccaneers featured 1 of the NFL’s worst special teams units in 2025 — something Malone would have gone a long way toward helping fix.
“Free agent linebacker DeAngelo Malone is visiting the Buccaneers today, per source,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on his official X account on March 26. “Former third-round pick by Atlanta has linebacker depth and special teams value.”
The Buccaneers not only need help on special teams, but will be a team searching for identity at inside linebacker in 2026 after Lavonte David announced he was retiring after 14 seasons.
Malone has shown he can both play edge rusher and inside linebacker — the kind of versatility that’s been in short supply on the Buccaneers in recent years.
“Malone would largely be a special-teams signing,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman wrote on his official X account. “Over the last three years, he’s played 111 snaps on defense and 912 on special teams. 25 special-teams tackles in four years in Atlanta.”
DeAngelo Malone Dominated C-USA Competition
Malone left Western Kentucky as 1 of the greatest defensive players in program history — a 3-time All-Conference USA selection and 2-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and 2021.
In his final season in 2021, Malone lit up the stats column with 99 tackles, 21 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 16 QB hurries, and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown. He cemented his draft stock with a 4.60-second 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine and was a 3rd round pick (No. 82 overall) by the Falcons in the 2022 NFL draft.
“Malone’s wiry build belies his toughness and play strength at the point of attack,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in 2022. “He uses quick feet, a flexible frame and unusually successful recovery balance to slink into playmaking positions in the run game. His rush is unorthodox and unpredictable but his burst to close and fluidity inside the pocket are valuable in finishing against mobile quarterbacks. His slender frame will get knocked and he needs to craft a more repeatable rush, but he is competitive and savvy. Malone could challenge for a future starting job as a 3-4 outside linebacker and offers immediate special-teams value.”