It has already been established during the first week of Bucs training camp that inside linebacker K.J. Britt is a trash-talkin’, old-school linebacker.
Head coach Todd Bowles remarked after the first day of camp that Britt is “probably the most talkative guy on the field,” a claim that was further revealed the next day as he was caught chirping at quarterback Baker Mayfield.
While he has developed a penchant for being vocal and a leader on Tampa Bay’s defense, could he make a real impact on the field with his play this season? ESPN’s Aaron Schatz recently listed 25 of the best under-the-radar NFL players, a list Britt found himself placing quite highly on.
ESPN Lists Bucs ILB K.J. Britt As An Under-The-Radar NFL Player
Aaron Schatz ranked K.J. Britt ninth on his list, having this to say about the emerging Bucs inside linebacker.
It took a while, but Britt finally got his chance when the Buccaneers benched Devin White near the end of last season. Britt barely played in his rookie year and missed half of his second season on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Then he started six of the final eight games in 2023, including both of Tampa Bay’s playoff games. Now he’s set to take over for White — who signed with Philadelphia in the offseason — as the starting inside linebacker next to veteran Lavonte David.
Britt is very aggressive with a downhill, attacking style. He’s very strong against the run, which was the clear difference between him and White last season. He needs to improve his pass coverage, which is what dropped him in the 2021 draft. He gave up five completions in coverage in the playoff game against Detroit. “In some coverages I need to slow down,” Britt told the press after last season. “I get myself in trouble trying to see too much.”
Britt meets all of the criteria of someone flying under the radar.
A backup for his first two NFL seasons after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, he filled in admirably down the stretch in 2023. The 6-foot, 235-pound downfield thumper provided stability at a position plagued by Devin White’s inconsistency.
In the two starts during the regular season where he played the majority of the snaps, he recorded 14 total tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass deflection. Both games were also two of the bigger wins the Bucs had last season – a 29-25 win over the Falcons and a 34-20 win over the Packers. Britt’s sure-tackling ability and apt run defense also carried over to the playoffs, where he notched a career-high 12 total tackles and a tackle for loss in the 31-23 loss to the Lions in the divisional round.
His level of play made it easier for the Bucs to address other positions in the draft and free agency this offseason, and the team opted to keep him in line as the starting inside linebacker opposite Lavonte David. To keep that spot locked down though, Britt will need to improve further in pass coverage, but he has a strong foundation to build upon going into this season.
A foundation that he is hoping leads to a big year.
K.J. Britt Is Working To Do His Part In Bucs’ Defense
Speaking to the local media after the first day of training camp practice, K.J. Britt discussed what it was like getting back out on the field and going to work.
“It felt good just to be back out there with my teammates, having fun and trying to make sure we’re planting a foundation that’s going to lead us into the season,” Britt said.
It is no easy task to take over a starting job, especially one that comes with such high expectations as being a Bucs inside linebacker.
It means proficiently reading what the offense is doing and communicating their tendencies to the rest of the defense. Making crucial adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Reading and reacting to the run and pass and covering a lot of ground. Britt is working on mastering all of these responsibilities during each practice.
“I’m just working,” Britt added. “I’m just working each day to show my teammates and show my coaches what I can do – and showing myself what I can do. I’m just going out there and making sure I do my part.”
K.J. Britt and Todd Bowles have a great relationship, and the defensive mastermind was rewarded by inserting him into the starting lineup last season. Although Bowles said that SirVocea Dennis will play a “big part” on defense this season, Britt is ready to give his all on the field and make sure he puts his teammates in a position to do the same.
“I talk and we have a good time, but I try to lead by how I work,” Britt said. “I just try to go out there each play and give it my all and make sure everybody around me can see it. I just try to make it evident and try to make sure everybody knows what’s going on – the whole defense…What plays are going to be [called] against us, the down-and-distance and everything. [I am] just being a student of the game.”
If Britt can nail down the starting inside linebacker spot, he has the chance to surprise after flying under the radar to start his NFL career.
