2026 Could Be Transformative For Bucs Defense
May 15th, 2026
Defensive makeover coming?
Joe doesn’t know what to expect from the Bucs defense this fall. Right now cornerback looks really shaky, unless you are referring to nickel corner. The Bucs have the market on nickel corners, well, cornered.
That’s not a good thing in a passing league.
Much will depend on the pass rush. Sadly, the Bucs defensive coordinator has never put a priority on a defense’s most important position. And “this Joe” does not expect that to change.
One thing that could change and last for a few years is how the Bucs play defense. No, the defense won’t change in how they operate. But this season could very well see a change in how the defense operates.
Veteran NFL reporter Dan Pompei of The Athletic provides Bucs fans [with a hint](http://Returning players such as Emeka Ebuka, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving, Graham Barton, Calijah Kancey, Tykee Smith and Jacob Parrish are being counted on to emerge.).
The Bucs, naturally, are banking on Calijah Kancey, Tykee Smith and Jacob Parrish to be as good as they were last year or even better. (Yes, Joe knows Kancey missed most of last year with an injury. He pretty much had already established he’s a good player — when he’s on the field.)
The Bucs wanted to be much more physical, so they brought in players who are known for being physical like Alex Anzalone and A’Shawn Robinson. Add to that physical rookies such as Rueben Bain, Josiah Trotter and Keionte Scott, the Bucs could have a defensive makeover.
Last year, let’s call it like we saw it: The defense was soft. With an infusion of gnarly, physical, glass-eating players, the whole DNA of this defense could shift for the rest of the decade.