With fresh elite reinforcements and fewer double-teams on the horizon, Tampa Bay's sack leader is poised for a career year as he enters a pivotal contract season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers roll into the 2026 season with several new defensive players who are primed to be difference-makers.
Free agent acquisitions Alex Anzalone, A'Shawn Robinson, and Al-Quadin Muhammad, as well as prized draft pick Rueben Bain Jr., have enormously upgraded the Bucs' talent level on defense.
Nobody seems more excited about the Bucs' new-look defense than OLB YaYa Diaby.
Diaby Looking Forward To Less Double-Teams
Diaby can't wait to take the field with the Bucs' newest defenders and is looking forward to a season in which he will see far fewer double teams. The 2023 third-round draft pick was Tampa's leader with seven sacks in 2025. With opposing offensive lines now having to account for all of the Bucs' newcomers, Diaby is relishing the opportunities he will have in 2026.
"How do you block Bain, Vita [Vea], A'Shawn [Robinson], me, and Al-Quadin?" Diaby asked. "You can't do it. It's going to be super-exciting."
He's right. The Bucs now have what looks like one of the best defensive front-sevens in the NFL. Bain Jr. looks like a future superstar, and Diaby was thrilled when Tampa drafted him.
"I texted Coach Bowles immediately, I said, 'Great pick,'" Diaby told reporters on Tuesday.
Having so many talented players up front should free up Diaby to wreak havoc all season. Even seeing a massive amount of double teams, Diaby still tied Danielle Hunter of the Houston Texans with 68 QB pressures, good for eighth in the NFL.
According to Next Gen Stats, Diaby still managed to produce a 12.1% pressure rate against double teams, a number that exceeded even Green Bay Packers' star Micah Parsons (11.8%).
Diaby Already Seeing Results
Even though offseason practices are in their early stages, Diaby is already seeing results from the defense. He has noticed more aggression from the defense, and even though they can't actually tackle anybody yet, Diaby can clearly see a difference from last season.
"The boys are getting after it, man," said Diaby. "I'm super-excited with the guys we've got right now, and I'm so happy to have everybody out here in attendance."
2026 Is An Important Season For Diaby
I'm sure he won't admit to it, but the 2026 season carries extra importance for Diaby. A third-round pick out of Louisville in 2023, Diaby is entering the final season of his rookie contract. Along with many others from his draft class, Diaby is looking to secure a lucrative extension with Tampa before he can become a free agent next offseason.
At 27 years old (as of May 30), Diaby is expected to earn a massive payday with his next contract. Spotrac estimates his next deal to average slightly more than $18 million per year.
If Diaby is able to reap the benefits he expects from his supporting class, expect that number to go even higher. Not many players offer both stellar pass-rushing and run-stopping ability like Diaby does. He will be in high demand if Tampa allows him to hit the market in 2027.
Even with all of the new faces, Diaby remains one of the most vital players for the Bucs' defense. It is easy to see why he can't wait for the upcoming season to begin.
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