In a Thursday column on PewterReport.com, two Pewter Reporters will debate a Bucs topic with different viewpoints. Which Pewter Reporter wins the debate? You get to decide in the comments section below.

This Week’s Topic: What Must Be Better – Bucs Pass Rush Or Secondary?

Point: If Bucs Dominate The Pass Rush, They Dominate The Game

There were many things to fix on the Bucs defense, but the number one start had to be Tampa Bay’s rush. The 37 sacks recorded by the Bucs last year was the fewest amount they’ve had under Todd Bowles since he’s been calling the defensive plays. It goes further than that, too.

The ultimate goal of the defense is to get to the quarterback and take him down for a sack. But that’s not going to happen on every play, so consistent pressure and getting into the face of the passer is also very important. That Bucs didn’t do that either. How many times did a quarterback have all day to throw last season? How many times were quarterbacks able to escape the pocket and extend plays or run for big plays? The answer is way too many.

And that’s because the Bucs didn’t have the horses in the stable. Since Calijah Kancey was injured after week two, there became a reliance on two players – nose tackle Vita Vea and outside linebacker Yaya Diaby. And that’s because nobody else was getting it done. The lack of a pass rush put stress on the rest of the defensive units at linebacker and the secondary.

Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and NT Vita Vea – Photo by: USA Today

Sure, there were big plays allowed Zyon McCollum and rookie corner Benjamin Morrison, but that had to spend more time covering. When a team only has to focus on one or two guys up front, it’s easier to game plan for.

This won’t be the case this season, though. The Bucs are well equipped to overcome an injury or two on the defensive line at defensive tackle and outside linebacker. It’s the latter of those positions that generates the most excitement. Bucs fans are still jumping for joy over the Rueben Bain Jr. pick at 15th overall in the draft. He has the ability to be a cornerstone piece for Tampa Bay.

The addition of the Al-Quadin Muhammad coming off of a 10-sack season is also a big move. It gives the Bucs the necessary depth required to keep a consistent pass rush. Plus, David Walker getting to play this year is almost like an extra draft pick, and if he provides anything for the team this year it’s a huge bonus. The quartet of Diaby, Bain, Muhammad and Walker is a group that shouldn’t be overlooked and can bring the noise.

Bucs OLB Rueben Bain Jr. – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

When it comes to defensive tackle, the headline is still going to be the health of Calijah Kancey and how much Vita Vea can keep playing at a high level for. But if Kancey can go, it makes this defense a serious issue for opponents. Adding a vocal leader like A’Shawn Robinson is important, plus the Bucs have youthful depth waiting in the wings like Elijah Roberts and rookie DeMonte Capehart.

This pass rush, which will have plenty of blitzing as well from linebackers and defensive backs, will be so much better this season. It needs to be in order for them to reach the playoffs again. They have it in them, they just need to show it. And when this pass rush gets going in the second half of games when the Bucs have a lead, it’s going to be an opportunity for this group to tee off on their adversary.

By Matt Matera

Counter-Point: Bucs Secondary Cannot Afford To Be A Liability, Has To Create Big Plays

By Adam Slivon

One could see the title of this week’s Point-Counterpoint and simply say – both. That would not be wrong, and making the argument for one over the other could really go either way. Still, while Matt Matera laid out why the pass rush is important, the secondary has to hold up even more.

Bucs S Tykee Smith and CB Jacob Parrish – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While the team’s sack total dipped from 46 sacks in 2024 to 37 sacks in 2025, the defense as a whole still had plenty of room for improvement. The biggest kryptonite for Todd Bowles’ defense has not been the inability to pressure and bring down opposing quarterbacks; it has been stopping them from entering a passing flow state. Need proof? On just about a weekly basis in recent years, missed assignments and blown coverage has been a recurring theme on the backend. From Josh Allen to Kirk Cousins, just about every signal-caller found success and did what they wanted.

That has to change, but how it happens is a bigger question mark. The cornerback room did not bring anyone new in, instead relying on Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison taking the next step and hoping Jacob Parrish can be impactful on the outside. Losing Jamel Dean stings, as when he was on the field, he was productive and had a career year. When I look at McCollum, he has to be consistent and games like the one he had last year against Rams wide receiver Davante Adams simply cannot happen. Morrison has to stay healthy and put it together. Competition brings out the best in players, and being pushed by Parrish should make for an entertaining training camp battle.

Even more than just the cornerback position, the safeties have to provide support and be ballhawks. Tampa Bay is spoiled with Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tykee Smith being the two starters, but the production has to be there. Winfield was paid as a top safety but has been more “good” than “great” since his otherworldly 2023 season.

Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. and OLB Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

That will not cut it in 2026, especially with the Bucs facing the likes of the Bengals, Packers, Cowboys, Lions, Chargers, Ravens, and Rams. Each of those squads has arguably a top 10 quarterback who can air it out and stretch the field. The pressure is on Winfield and Smith to each record several interceptions, regularly deflect passes, and occasionally knock the ball loose.

The pass rush and secondary work hand-in-hand, and a team cannot have one without the other. Given Bowles’ defensive background as a former safety, it is clear how much he emphasizes quality secondary play. That has been lacking for a while, as the Bucs have struggled preventing passing yards, ranking 29th, 27th, and 27th in that category over the past three seasons. For as much as the pass rush has to get home, the secondary cannot afford recent trends to continue.

That starts with the players making plays, but the coaching staff has to welcome new ideas to the defensive scheme. How much Bowles sticks to the status quo over listening to the input of cornerbacks coach Rashad Johnson and safeties coach Tim Atkins will say a lot about what kind of strides are made this season.