Anthony Nelson's Free Agent Future

0:00It's April 6th, NFL News Today starts now, AI-powered and game ready. I'm Cory with the story. Anthony Nelson has been holding down the edge for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since they drafted him in the fourth round, pick number 1-7, back in 2019. The Iowa native signed a two-year deal worth $10 million last offseason, but that's up next January, putting him squarely in the 20, 25 free agent mix. This past season, Nelson suited up for 15 of 17 games, starting four before a knee injury sideline him for the final two. He notched three sacks, 38 tackles with 21 solo, three tackles for loss, and four quarterback hits. Stepping up big when Hayson, Reddit was banged up. One standout moment came in week 8 against the rival New Orleans Saints in the Superdome. Midway threw the second quarter, Nelson snagged his first career interception off Spencer Ratler, and took it back three yards for a touchdown. That pick six sparked a 23-3 blowout win, earning him NFC defensive player of the week honors.

1:03Looking back, Nelson's been steady since his rookie year hamstring issues limited him to nine games. From 2020 to 2024, he played at least 16 games each season, peaking in 2024 with six starts, four sacks, and a career high 13 quarterback hits right before landing that extension. As the bucks eye their free agent decisions, Nelson's proven rotational value in those championship runs, including Superbowl 55, make him a name to watch. Could be resigning or testing the market, but his consistency keeps Tampa talking.