It’s Purim, but the Buccaneers aren’t letting that get in the way of signing free agents.
The team announced that they have signed linebacker Dane Fletcher. Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports that it is a one-year deal.
Stroud adds that the Bucs agreed to the deal with Fletcher while he was in the Salt Lake City airport waiting for a connecting flight to visit with the Raiders. Fletcher instead got on a plane to head to Tampa.
Fletcher was a core special teams player for the Patriots over the last three seasons and made six starts on defense as well. The Bucs have Lavonte David and Mason Foster at two linebacker spots, but have lost Dekoda Watson and Adam Hayward in free agency. Fletcher and the re-signed Jonathan Casillas are the likeliest contenders for the other starting linebacker job.
The Buccaneers also added guard Oniel Cousins to their free agent haul on Sunday.