Why the Bucs Still Have One Major Defensive Question to Answer

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invested significant resources to upgrade their defense this offseason, in hopes of bolstering a unit that has underachieved recently under one of the league’s most respected defensive minds in Todd Bowles.

Lavonte David’s retirement left the Bucs with a massive void at linebacker, but the addition of Alex Anzalone should help alleviate some of that loss. Other veteran free agents were brought in to bolster the trenches, with A’Shawn Robinson giving improving Tampa Bay’s size and ability to stop the run, and Al-Quadin Muhammad coming off a breakout season with double-digit sacks off the edge.

Then came the 2026 NFL Draft, which netted them the best pure edge defender in the entire class in Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami, who was a top-five overall prospect on my board, and never should have made it to the No. 15 overall pick. In the second round, the Bucs invested in both the present and future at linebacker with Missouri’s Josiah Trotter, a hard-hitting presence whose father was a four-time Pro Bowler at the same position. Miami defensive back Keionte Scott was another heist in the fourth-round as a versatile playmaker from the slot, while Clemson defensive lineman DeMonte Capehart gives them a ton of size, upside and versatility along the interior.

With all of these additions, the Bucs’ defense looks much stronger on paper than it did a few months ago. But will all of these investments in players who make their money close to the line of scrimmage finally put their secondary in position to play to their full potential?

Tampa Bay’s DBs are Talented, But Inconsistent

There’s no shortage of talent on the back end of Tampa Bay’s defense. Antoine Winfield Jr. has been an All-Pro at safety, proving he can be one of the league’s best when he’s fully healthy and playing up to his ability. the Bucs invested multiple Day 2 picks in the secondary last year with Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. Parrish had a strong rookie campaign, but Morrison struggled to stay healthy after missing much of last year’s predraft process working his way back from a hip injury.

Zyon McCollum has flashed CB1 potential at times, which earned him a hefty contract extension prior to last season, but his play regressed into an inconsistent mess. Tykee Smith is a tough, smart, versatile playmaker with valuable leadership skills, but he’s struggled with multiple injuries, too. Scott will give them another talented weapon, but this group has to prove it can stay healthy and play up to their potential on a weekly basis.

Pass Rush, Coverage Depend On One Another

In recent years under Todd Bowles, the Bucs have struggled to generate a dominant pass rush, which has put added stress on their secondary to cover longer. The reverse is also true, as Tampa Bay’s inability to lock down opposing receivers has made it more challenging for the pass rush, with opposing quarterbacks completing too many quick, easy throws before the defensive front can get home.

On paper, the Bucs’ offseason additions should make the pass rush far more effective this year, which should make life easier for the defensive backfield. But just as the secondary has struggled to live up to its theoretical potential and ability, Tampa Bay’s defensive line will have to prove they can maximize their skills and actually deliver results between the lines if they want to see the benefits manifest on the back end.

Todd Bowles Finally Has Everything He Needs

Last month, I wrote in detail about why Bowles has no excuses for any defensive failures this year. He’s been running this scheme in Tampa since 2019, and he’s still got veteran leaders who have been playing in his defense for years, which leaves no more room for excuses about communication errors and blown assignments. They’ve invested plenty of money and premium draft resources into the defense, adding and retaining more than enough talent for Bowles to be successful on his side of the ball.

Bain and Scott should make a huge impact on the pass rush (Scott bagged five sacks as a DB at Miami last year, all of them when he was lined up next to Bain), and general manager Jason Licht bolstered the entire unit with a long list of both veteran and rookie upgrades. Licht has been drafting defensive players specifically to fit Bowles’ scheme for years now, and this unit as all the skills to execute his plan at the highest level. It’s time for everyone to deliver on the expectations, from the coaches on the sideline to the players on the field.

The Bucs have more questions looming as they head into the 2026 NFL season. Read about them here.