The Buccaneers have reached a conclusion concerning the future of one of their promising defensive talents.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Tampa Bay has opted against applying a restricted free agent tender to safety Christian Izien. However, the Bucs remain keen on re-signing him for the 2026 season.
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Izien, now 25, became a Buccaneer as an undrafted free agent in 2023. During his rookie year, he played in 17 games, starting four. He then featured in 14 games with 10 starts in 2024. In 2025, he participated in 14 games, making one start, contributing to 50 percent of special teams plays in games he appeared in, alongside 20 percent of defensive snaps.
Across his 45 career appearances, he has accumulated five defended passes, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles.
If the Buccaneers had issued a right of first refusal tender to Izien, it would have committed them to paying him $3.52 million for the 2026 season.