Could the Bucs have a strong defense this year? There’s a chance. But recent history suggests that happening would be something of an outlier.
Since Bucs coach Todd Bowles came to town, only once has the defense not been ranked in the 20s (or worse) in passing yards allowed per game. And that’s with a double-digit edge rusher.
A lot of folks, including Gennaro Filice of NFL.com, believe a beefed-up front seven will mark a return of defense to the Bucs this fall.
Todd Bowles’ defense has fallen off in recent seasons, with one of the biggest problems being the lack of a true edge monster. Yaya Diaby was a nice find in Round 3 of the 2023 draft, but no Buccaneer has posted double-digit sacks since Shaq Barrett back in 2021. This is why the Bucs are still thanking their lucky stars that Rueben Bain Jr. shockingly fell right into their lap in April’s draft. I’ve been driving the Bain train ever since, arm length be damned. Will the No. 15 overall pick post 10-plus sacks in Year 1? That’s a tall order for any first-year pro, but I think he can provide the kind of violent disruption that made Jared Verse the 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year. More pressure up front will make life easier in the back end, which is key for Tampa’s young-but-enticing secondary.
“Enticing secondary?” As in enticing for quarterbacks to throw on?
Look, the Bucs could have the best safety duo in the league. But the corners? Joe is a big fan of Jacob Parrish, but he has scant experience at outside corner. And Joe doesn’t want to recount bored Zyon McCollum’s ups-and-downs as a Bucs starting corner.
After those two, Bowles said Benjamin Morrison is the first off the bench if something happens to McCollum. So far, the only thing Morrison has proven is that he can pull a hamstring.
Filice maintains the Bucs will give up the 10th fewest points in the league in 2026. Three times this decade the Bucs have had a top-10 scoring defense (2020 8th, 2021 5th and 2023 7th).
Joe likes that the Bucs seemingly have an edge rush. Joe’s issue is that Bowles said several times he asks his outside linebackers to “do other things” than just rush the passer. It’s hard to get sacks when you’re not sent after the quarterback, unless you expect YaYa Diaby and Rueben Bain to pull an Ndamukong Suh, fully ignore Bowles and start freelancing.
(Joe is pretty confident that Bowles gave Suh the green light to freelance, provided he had a valid reason to freelance — we’re talking about one of the game’s greats, Suh.)
Joe is firmly in the burning bush category when it comes to the defense carrying the team to the playoffs. Joe will have to see it to believe it.
Passing Yards Allowed Per Game
2019: 270.1 (30th)
2020: 246.6 (21st)
2021: 238.9 (21st)
2022: 203.6 (9th)
2023: 248.9 (29th)
2024: 243.9 (29th)
2025: 238.2 (27th)
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