When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Auburn linebacker K.J. Britt in the fifth round in 2021, they were the defending Super Bowl champions and their loaded roster included an entrenched pair of off-ball linebackers, Lavonte David and Devin White. David had already established himself as one of the best players in franchise history and White was coming off an impressive star turn in the 2020 playoffs.

Moreover, David and White rarely missed action due to injuries, and when David was sidelined for five games in 2021, veteran Kevin Minter was there to step in. Thus, Britt didn't get much of an opportunity to show what he could do on defense for three years before finally stepping into a big role in the last of his four seasons in Tampa. This is reflected in his annual playtime figures. Britt's percentage of plays on defense progressed from 3% as a rookie to 6%, 15% and finally in 2024, 65%. Meanwhile, he played between 64% and 80% of the special teams in his first three seasons before that number dropped to 29% last year.

Despite his relative lack of playing time on defense, Britt was a favorite of the coaching staff due to his team-first approach and his work ethic. Britt finally got his shot last fall after White departed in free agency, moving into the starting lineup next to David. Britt had shown promise in a late-season cameo in 2023 while replacing an injured White, and even started both playoff games after White's return, so the coaches were eager to see what he could do in a full-time role in 2024. Britt started the first 11 games of the season but then missed time due to an ankle injury and came back to a rotational role for the rest of the season.

Both Britt and David are pending free agents, though the Buccaneers are hoping David will put off retirement for (at least) one more season and return to the only team he has known in the NFL. Was Britt's play in 2024 enough for the Buccaneers to pursue a second contract with him, too? The answer will come in the next few weeks.