Rozeboom and Chanel: Our ILB free agent wish list?

[MHS831]

It is the topic we have put off talking about-for obvious reasons.  Since I try to throw stuff out there to discuss (mainly to pick your brains to see if my thinking is way off base or on point) I decided to talk about free agents on our roster and decide whether we should try to re-sign them or not. 

First, Rozeboom is 28 years of age (in his prime).  He had his best year at Carolina in 2025--for that reason, he might be inclined to stay if we give him an offer.  Will he want a starter's contract?  His PFF score was a 47. That could be the rub. He probably feels that he should be rewarded based on his 2025 performance (I think he is credited with 122 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, etc) I figured his asking price for a new contract would be around $6m per, but one source said $3m.

I noticed this about his play when observing.  He is often the last person to take a step after the snap.  That could mean that his coaches were correcting a habit like taking a false step.  No step is better than a false step.  However, Luke was stepping before the snap on many occasions, and the difference is not really the number of tackles, but where (in relation to the LOS) they took place.

I think Wallace and Rozeboom (if we can get him for $4m or under) would be adequate depth.  I think we need a free agent to add to the room, a player like KC's Leo Chanel.  KC is in cap hell, and Chanel was not a 3-down LB.  Here, he would get paid, join an ascending team, and start.  

Our LBs with Chanel (PFF SCORE 75 on 440 snaps) would be Chanel, Rozeboom, Wallace, Cherelus, and Martin-Scott.  I am guessing the cost of free agency would be about $10-12m for Chanel and Rozeboom.  If we did this, we might be OK at ILB, although I really like some in the draft. 

Personally,  I think we need a stud starter, but Chanel is 25 and could be that person. 

[strato]

8 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

It is the topic we have put off talking about-for obvious reasons.  Since I try to throw stuff out there to discuss (mainly to pick your brains to see if my thinking is way off base or on point) I decided to talk about free agents on our roster and decide whether we should try to re-sign them or not. 

First, Rozeboom is 28 years of age (in his prime).  He had his best year at Carolina in 2025--for that reason, he might be inclined to stay if we give him an offer.  Will he want a starter's contract?  His PFF score was a 47. That could be the rub. He probably feels that he should be rewarded based on his 2025 performance (I think he is credited with 122 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble, etc) I figured his asking price for a new contract would be around $6m per, but one source said $3m.

I noticed this about his play when observing.  He is often the last person to take a step after the snap.  That could mean that his coaches were correcting a habit like taking a false step.  No step is better than a false step.  However, Luke was stepping before the snap on many occasions, and the difference is not really the number of tackles, but where (in relation to the LOS) they took place.

I think Wallace and Rozeboom (if we can get him for $4m or under) would be adequate depth.  I think we need a free agent to add to the room, a player like KC's Leo Chanel.  KC is in cap hell, and Chanel was not a 3-down LB.  Here, he would get paid, join an ascending team, and start.  

Our LBs with Chanel (PFF SCORE 75 on 440 snaps) would be Chanel, Rozeboom, Wallace, Cherelus, and Martin-Scott.  I am guessing the cost of free agency would be about $10-12m for Chanel and Rozeboom.  If we did this, we might be OK at ILB, although I really like some in the draft. 

Personally,  I think we need a stud starter, but Chanel is 25 and could be that person. 

I would be very happy with a player the likes of Chanel and going after a top rated prospect in the draft. One who in a year or two would make Chanel the floor.  
 

let Rozeboom gauge the market and if he doesn’t see a big payday maybe we can work something out with him. 

Edited January 26 by strato

[Aussie Tank]

Id be happy with Chanel and a highly drafted rookie 

[ForJimmy]

Roze is a bit of a liability in coverage.  He is very hit or miss when I watch him.  Might make a great play or might completely whiff on the ball.  I think the middle of our defense just needs and all around upgrade and a premium edge to pair with Scrouton would be ideal.  

[LinvilleGorge]

I'd be fine bring Rozeboom back, just hopefully as a backup with a contract to reflect that role.

Re-signing him and bringing in a player like Chenal would also create options in the draft. I never like going into the draft with desperate needs. They'd how you end up pulling a Getttleman and spam drafting all the corners.

[Donald LaFell]

Roseboom seems bought in so keeping him as depth seems like a good move. He’s not good enough to start and if he doesn’t like ST I hope he can get money somewhere else. 

[ProcessBlue2]

Kaden Elliss

fixes our LB problem and keeps him out of Atlanta 

[Daddy_Uncle]

Rozeboom would be a good backup but we need a clean slate for starters between free agency and draft

[imminent rogaine]

Matt Milano is a FA. Getting up there in age and I recall some injuries but he has always been super solid. Could be a stop-gap if we are allocating draft capital elsewhere, like O-tackle.

[rodeo]

Roseboom would be a good re-sign, he can teach Bryce how to slide since that's the position Rozeboom usually ends up when he tries to tackle 

[RJK]

Bring back shaq. He balled out in a reserve role for Buffalo 

[CmC2k]

Bring in Chanel, resign Rozeboom, and draft a LB in the mid to later rounds of the draft and let them battle it out with Wallace and Cherelus for the 2nd LB spot beside Chanel. Part of our problem last year was we had absolutely no depth to challenge our below average starters. Create some real competition in the LB room and let the best players play. 

[ProcessBlue2]

Another reason I like Elliss is that he will likely be cheaper than Chanel. I would sign him, draft a guy like Styles or Allen in the 1st round. Go after a 2nd round tackle, sign a rental like Cam Robinson at LT, and then avoid Hendrickson but maybe go after a guy like Mafe or Oweh at edge. That upgrades defense significantly without breaking the bank. Then can use what is leftover for other things like C. 

[strato]

7 hours ago, RJK said:

Bring back shaq. He balled out in a reserve role for Buffalo 

As a reserve, that’s not a horrible idea. I am taking your word he balled out, I didn’t watch.
I normally just close the door to guys with Achilles tears, but otoh they often do better the second year as it a slow process getting back to normal. Normal being relative.