This offseason, improving in the trenches was a big focus for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who allocated a lot of resources to the defensive line. Head coach Todd Bowles expects major improvements.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office focused a lot of it's efforts on bolstering the defensive unit this offseason, bringing in multiple players through free agency and the NFL Draft.
Heading into the season, the defensive line and edge rushers are one group likely to make big strides, with players like Rueben Bain Jr. and Al-Quadin Muhammad joining the team.
On Saturday, head coach Todd Bowles talked about his revamped unit, while predicting a "much improved" pass rush.
"I don’t think you can leave YaYa Diaby alone. I don’t think you can leave Rueben Bain Jr. alone," Bowles said on the Ronde Barber Show. "But at the same time, you’ve got Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea in there, as well. So I think we’re going to see more of six- or seven-man protections than we’ve ever seen."
For Diaby, he has talked about wanting to become a leader of the Bucs' defense following Lavonte David's retirement.
"You're looking at him," Diaby said in late-April when asked who his vote would be for defensive captain. "I'm definitely doing whatever I can to earn the trust of the guys. I come to work every day. I earn the trust of the coaches as well and I I do believe that I will take that next step to being the next captain."
Last season, Diaby recorded seven sacks and 50 total tackles last season.
Diaby was virtually unstoppable one-on-one, finishing sixth in the NFL with 51 total pressures, beating out some of the highest paid edges in the league, such as Jaelan Phillips (49), who signed a four-year, $120 million contract with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.
Alongside Bain, the Bucs should see more quarterback pressures while improving in the run game.
On the interior, Kancey is entering a pivotal contract year, while Vea recently agreed to a one-year, $30 million extension.
Kancey missed most of last season after a strong 2024 campaign, appearing in just three games.
But, the prospect of him returning to a stronger defensive line unit alongside Vea should help the Bucs get off the field on third down - something that was a big struggle last season.
For Bowles, he understands that this season could be his last as the Bucs' bench boss if the defense continues to struggle.
The additions made this offseason have put him in a position to improve the defensive unit, while pushing to get Tampa back atop the NFC South.
