Buccaneers’ Pass Rush Must Wake Up Against Aaron Rodgers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ HC Todd Bowles and GM Jason Licht have been searching for a pass rush for at least three seasons now.

Somehow, the Buccaneers are still having the same issue in 2026.

The latest version of this problem arrives with a revamped pass rush and plenty of preseason optimism. Five games later, Tampa Bay has just six sacks, leaving the defense waiting for its biggest investments to produce.

The production has come from some unexpected places. Alex Anzalone and Josiah Trotter have combined for two sacks, while reserves David Walker and Anthony Nelson have contributed three.

There’s nothing wrong with those players making an impact. The problem is that Tampa Bay needs its supporting cast to supplement the pass rush, not carry it.

Where Are The Players Tampa Bay Counted On?

Yaya Diaby paired with Rueben Bain was supposed to help change the equation. Instead, neither has recorded a sack through the first five games.

In fairness, Bain has missed time with an injury. Availability matters, and neither player should be judged without considering those circumstances.

Still, the Buccaneers can’t keep waiting for their most important pass rushers to get going. The entire point of rebuilding this group was to generate more consistent disruption, not spend another season explaining why the numbers look disappointing.

Then there’s Al-Quadin Muhammad, who arrived after recording 11 sacks in a rotational role with Detroit last season. His lack of production so far only adds to the frustration.

Tampa Bay assembled this group expecting a different outcome. At this point, the defense has produced more questions than answers about whether its pass rush can become a genuine strength.

Aaron Rodgers Isn’t Going To Solve Tampa Bay’s Problems For Them

The Steelers present an interesting opportunity because Aaron Rodgers isn’t the same mobile quarterback he was earlier in his career. At this stage, making him move and disrupting his timing should be a priority for opposing defenses.

That doesn’t mean getting to him will suddenly become easy. Rodgers has spent years diagnosing pressure, manipulating defenses, and punishing opponents who fail to finish their assignments.

The Buccaneers need to give Rodgers something to worry about. If they can finally generate consistent pressure, Tampa Bay could create the turnovers needed to pull off a Week 6 upset.

But that’s a lot of hoping for a defense that has managed six sacks in five games. Expecting a sudden breakthrough simply because the opponent presents a favorable opportunity isn’t much of a plan.

Pressure Is Nice. Sacks Are Better.

One familiar response to Tampa Bay’s pass-rush struggles is to emphasize quarterback pressures. Pressure can absolutely affect a quarterback, but it becomes a convenient talking point when the sack totals refuse to improve. Almost a defense for the sake of a defense to the actual issue.

Bowles’ defenses have struggled to consistently finish plays against opposing quarterbacks. The Buccaneers entered this season with expectations of improvement, yet the early results look uncomfortably familiar.

Nobody is arguing that sacks tell the entire story of a pass rush. However, six sacks through five games is difficult to celebrate when the team invested heavily in improving that exact weakness.

Eventually, pressure has to produce something tangible. Sacks can end drives, force difficult down-and-distance situations, and create opportunities for turnovers.

The Buccaneers need more than encouraging moments on film or statistical arguments about disruption. They need their pass rush to change games.

The Rodgers Matchup Offers One Reason For Optimism

Rodgers has not exactly owned Tampa Bay throughout his career. Across six career matchups against the Buccaneers, he has a 3-3 record with 10 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. But those Bucs’ teams had a pass rush.

Those numbers provide some reason to believe Tampa Bay can make things difficult for him. They don’t, however, guarantee the defense will suddenly rediscover its ability to finish plays.

The Buccaneers need to turn that historical matchup into a present-day advantage. That starts with their most talented pass rushers finally producing the results expected of them.

A strong performance against Rodgers could change the conversation surrounding this defense. Another quiet afternoon would leave Tampa Bay answering the same questions it has faced for years.

At some point, the excuses have to run out. The Buccaneers rebuilt their pass rush to get after quarterbacks, and it’s time for the results to show it.

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