Yaya Diaby has seen the Bucs make a complete overhaul to their defense on the first and second levels, especially across the defensive line. It started in free agency with the signing of defensive tackles A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem “Nacho” Nunez-Roches along with outside linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad. Then it continued and in the NFL Draft when the Bucs selected outside linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. with the 15th overall pick, plus adding defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart in the fifth round to add some overall depth.
In a span of just a couple of months, the Bucs re-shaped an area of their team where they needed vast improvement. The Bucs had trouble getting to the quarterback last season, and while it’s a team effort, it starts up front in the trenches.
Nobody is more excited about the new additions and what they will bring to the defense then Diaby, the fourth-year outside linebacker. Before any of these moves, Diaby was the best outside linebacker on the Bucs, recording a team-high seven sacks. He wants to improve, but knowing who else will be in the lineup with him comes as a sense of relief that they can get to the quarterback as a group.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“I’m super excited with the guys we got right now,” Diaby said. “I’m so happy to have everybody out here in attendance. We’re getting after it. It’s more depth, for real. Bain brings a lot. I was super, super stoked when they got him. I texted Coach [Todd] Bowles immediately, I said ‘Man, great pick.’ And when they got Muhammad, that’s another great addition. A veteran guy, he’s going into year 10 right now so he can also help me and Bain and the other guys in the room.”
Being the top pass rusher, Diaby saw a lot of double team blocks and chip blocks. It was more than he’s seen in his career. Some of that was because defensive tackle Calijah Kancey was out for the majority of the season, and another was not getting production from outside linebackers on the opposite side of him, as 31-year old Haason Reddick was a bust.
“It was stressful to begin with, but at the same time you know that’s what comes with it,” he said. “And now having guys that can help take the load off a little bit and we all can get after it.”
That won’t be the case this season. Even if one player goes down, there’s way more talent to help pick up the pass rushing slack. Diaby raised a great question during his press conference after Tuesday’s OTA practice – and it’s a tough one to answer.
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and NT Vita Vea – Photo by: USA Today
“Like I was saying earlier, how can you block Bain, Vita, A’Shawn, me and Calijah? You can’t do it. It’s going to be super exciting.”
Not many Tampa Bay would argue against it.
Good question brought up by #Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby before.
He was talking about the stress of taking on more double teams last year and how this season other players can help get after it:
“How can you block Bain, Vita, A’Shawn, me and Calijah? You can’t do it.” pic.twitter.com/2DEV9viMOj
— Matt Matera (@matty4_matera) June 2, 2026
How Is Yaya Diaby Handling His Looming Contract Year?
It’s also an interesting season for Yaya Diaby as it’s the last year of his rookie contract and he’s also stepping into a leadership role. It’s the latter that he’s focused on more first.
“I feel like I’ve earned the respect of the defense,” Diaby said. “Guys can hear me and know that I have their best interest. That’s all I’m going to do is keep leading and letting my play do the talking.”
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and Texans QB C.J. Stroud – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
When it comes to the idea of getting a new contract elsewhere or re-signing with the Bucs, Diaby does want to remain in Tampa Bay. He said the numbers and negotiations are the last things on his mind right now ahead of the 2026 season.
“I just want to ball,” Diaby said. “I want to be a Buc for my whole career. That’s all I can say. But at the same time, that’s the least of my worries. I’m just happy to be out here with the guys playing around, having fun and just getting after it.”