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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a mediocre defense last season, a fact that hurt the organization plenty during their wid card loss to the Washington Commanders.
Tampa did plenty to improve the depth of that group during the offseason. They signed Haason Reddick to a free agent contract and spent four of their six picks in the 2025 draft on defensive players.
They can't be done at this point, though.
NFL.com columnist Judy Battista believes that the team needs to add a pass rusher, despite all the additions this offseason.
"The Bucs are the least-heralded among the consistent teams in the NFL," Battista wrote. "They've won the NFC South four years in a row, including twice with Baker Mayfield, after winning the Super Bowl with Tom Brady. The offense will have yet another new offensive coordinator following the departure of Liam Coen, but the concern for the Bucs last year was defense.
"They were 29th against the pass and had just seven interceptions, causing Todd Bowles to demand ballhawks. If that's what Benjamin Morrison (Round 2, No. 53 overall) and Jacob Parrish (Round 3, No. 84) prove to be in the NFL, the Bucs are in position to stay atop an improving division, as long as Mayfield and the offense keep rolling."
Battista is as plugged in as anyone around the league. She sees the fact that Reddick may not be the same player as he once was when he was an All-Pro.
If they can add another rusher, it might fundamentally change how they are attacked on the defensive side of the ball. And alter all their championship window moving forward.
Continue reading...
Tampa did plenty to improve the depth of that group during the offseason. They signed Haason Reddick to a free agent contract and spent four of their six picks in the 2025 draft on defensive players.
They can't be done at this point, though.
NFL.com columnist Judy Battista believes that the team needs to add a pass rusher, despite all the additions this offseason.
"The Bucs are the least-heralded among the consistent teams in the NFL," Battista wrote. "They've won the NFC South four years in a row, including twice with Baker Mayfield, after winning the Super Bowl with Tom Brady. The offense will have yet another new offensive coordinator following the departure of Liam Coen, but the concern for the Bucs last year was defense.
"They were 29th against the pass and had just seven interceptions, causing Todd Bowles to demand ballhawks. If that's what Benjamin Morrison (Round 2, No. 53 overall) and Jacob Parrish (Round 3, No. 84) prove to be in the NFL, the Bucs are in position to stay atop an improving division, as long as Mayfield and the offense keep rolling."
Battista is as plugged in as anyone around the league. She sees the fact that Reddick may not be the same player as he once was when he was an All-Pro.
If they can add another rusher, it might fundamentally change how they are attacked on the defensive side of the ball. And alter all their championship window moving forward.
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Related: Keenan Allen Signing Linked to Bucs Rival
Related: Keenan Allen Signing Linked to Bucs Rival
Continue reading...
