Buccaneers Reload Defense After 2025 Pass Rush, Coverage Struggles

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t need to look very deep to find their biggest issue.

One of the league’s lowest pressure rates paired with inconsistent pass defense made 2025 a grind. Quarterbacks had time, receivers found space, and the unit struggled to get off the field in key moments.

This offseason, Tampa Bay responded with a clear, aggressive plan—rebuild the defense through free agency and the draft.

Free Agency Adds Experience, Physicality

The Buccaneers targeted proven veterans to stabilize the defense and raise its floor.

At linebacker, Alex Anzalone arrives on a two-year deal to solidify the interior. His experience and range should help clean up the middle of the field, an area that saw inconsistency last season.

Along the defensive line, A’Shawn Robinson brings size and physicality. His presence adds rotational strength and helps anchor against both the run and interior protection.

On the edge, Al-Quadin Muhammad provides additional pass-rush depth. While not a headline addition, he gives the unit another rotational option capable of generating pressure.

In the secondary, Miles Killebrew adds depth and versatility at safety, strengthening a group that needed more consistency and competition.

Draft Class Built to Fix the Pass Rush

While free agency added stability, the draft delivered upside and long-term solutions.

The centerpiece is first-round edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr.. Selected 15th overall, Bain brings explosiveness and power off the edge, giving Tampa Bay a potential game-changing pass rusher. His ability to win one-on-one could immediately improve the team’s pressure rate.

At linebacker, Josiah Trotter (Pick 46) adds instincts and physicality to the second level. He pairs with Anzalone to create a more reliable and athletic linebacker unit.

In the secondary, Keionte Scott (Pick 116) brings versatility and competitiveness. His addition increases depth at corner and creates competition for snaps in sub-packages.

Up front, DeMonte Capehart (Pick 155) adds interior size and rotational value, further strengthening the defensive line’s depth.

A Clear Shift in Defensive Identity

The Buccaneers’ approach this offseason reflects a shift in philosophy.

Instead of relying heavily on blitzing to manufacture pressure, Tampa Bay is building a unit capable of:

• Winning at the line of scrimmage
• Generating consistent four-man pressure
• Supporting the secondary with quicker disruption

The combination of veterans and rookies gives the defense both immediate contributors and long-term building blocks.

How These Moves Address 2025’s Biggest Issues

Every addition ties back to last season’s problems.

• Low pressure rate: Bain, Muhammad, and Capehart bolster the front, creating more pass-rush options
• Coverage breakdowns: Scott and Killebrew add depth and competition in the secondary
• Inconsistency at linebacker: Anzalone and Trotter stabilize the middle of the defense

The goal is a more balanced, complementary unit—where pressure and coverage work together rather than exposing each other.

2026 Outlook: From Weakness to Potential Strength

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have made it clear they are not willing to let last season’s defensive issues linger.

By combining veteran additions with a draft class centered on speed and disruption, Tampa Bay has taken meaningful steps toward fixing its pass rush and pass defense.

If the new pieces come together quickly, the Buccaneers could turn one of their biggest weaknesses into a strength. If not, the same questions will follow them into another season.

Either way, the blueprint for improvement is now firmly in place.