The Bucs can breathe a collective sigh of relief as rookie inside linebacker Caden Fordham, who was waived Tuesday, cleared waivers. That allows Tampa Bay to sign the North Carolina State product to its practice squad, a move that may come after the long weekend.
Fordham was one of the standout performers for the Bucs throughout training camp and the preseason, making play after play on the practice fields at the AdventHealth Training Center before continuing to do so under the lights during Tampa Bay’s three-game exhibition slate. Over the first two preseason games, he racked up 10 tackles (eight solo) with two tackles for loss and a pass defensed. Then, in the preseason finale, he showed plenty of value on special teams, registering three special teams tackles.
Ultimately, the undrafted rookie did enough to make the Bucs’ initial 53-man roster. He was the talk of Tuesday at One Buc Place, with general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles singing his praises before he got a chance to speak to the media himself.
But in the most recent example of what a cruel business the NFL can be, Fordham was waived by the end of the day. Tampa Bay claimed cornerback Kevin Knowles off waivers from the Chiefs and in a corresponding move, waived the young linebacker.
Bucs ILB Caden Fordham – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
But based on their comments about Fordham earlier Tuesday, both Licht and Bowles have to be relieved that he cleared waivers and will be back in the building with the 2026 season approaching – albeit on the practice squad.
“You know, he’s a very instinctive player,” Licht said. “Every day, practice, games, [he was] making a lot of plays, [was] in the right spot. He was, I think, the leading tackler in NCAA last year, and you don’t do that by accident. I think he’s got a really bright future, not only as a linebacker, but special teams, and [we’re] putting a little emphasis on that.”
Bowles had similar praise for Fordham, who really took off once the team put the pads on in training camp.
“Once we put the pads on…I mean, he’s not the most athletic, but he is a good athlete,” Bowles said. “Once he put the pads on, just knowing where to be and striking linemen and making plays and being in the right spot every time. He wasn’t getting fooled. He played well on [special] teams. He was just an instinctive, good football player. He got better every day and every week and he didn’t make the same mistake twice, and he beat the rest of the guys out.”
Caden Fordham’s Return Gives Bucs Even More Depth At ILB
It was something of a surprise when the Bucs kept five inside linebackers on their initial 53-man roster, especially considering they only had eight defensive backs – with five corners and three safeties. So, when the team claimed Knowles off waivers Tuesday, it was that inside linebacker room that was primed to be in position to lose a player.
But now that Fordham is back on the Bucs’ practice squad, the team can feel even better about its depth at the inside linebacker position this season.
Bucs ILB Caden Fordham – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
The group has gone through a ton of change this year. With Lavonte David retiring this offseason and last year’s starting middle linebacker, SirVocea Dennis, being relegated to backup status this year, there are two new starters in town: veteran free agent signee Alex Anzalone and 2026 second-round pick Josiah Trotter. Add in two more veteran in Christian Rozeboom and Dennis himself and you see a stronger room than what Tampa Bay has fielded in recent years.
Having Fordham back in the mix will be a bonus. The NC State product has great instincts and is a heavy hitter with an impressive ability to finish tackles. It made sense to keep a young, aggressive, playmaking linebacker for depth and special teams contributions when the 53-man roster was finalized.
Now, the picture looks a little different with him finding a spot on the practice squad, but the Bucs will be happy to still have him around nonetheless.