At 5-1, following impressive victories over NFC contenders like the 49ers and Seahawks, the Bucs are positioning themselves as serious threats for the conference championship and a potential Super Bowl run. However, a significant concern remains: the need for a top-tier edge rusher. Isn’t it time to address this?
As we approached our championship seasons in 2002 and 2020, we built through the draft and developed young talent. Yet, when it was time to make that final push, we bolstered our roster with strategic free-agent signings and trades.
A team’s championship window opens through effective drafting, smart personnel decisions, and a bit of luck, but that window isn’t guaranteed to stay open from year to year.
Key players retire or get injured, coaches can be lured away, and performance levels can vary. This current team has established a strong foundation, thanks to the leadership of Jason Licht and Todd Bowles, who bring stability and character. However, continued success is never a given.
Now might be the perfect moment to secure that edge rusher who could elevate our defense. Consider two premier options currently playing for teams with uncertain futures early in the season: Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals and Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. Both would represent significant upgrades for our defense, and their teams might be open to trading for future assets.
Yaya Diaby has shown promise as a hardworking, run-stopping complement, reminiscent of Greg Spires, who played alongside Simeon Rice in 2002. While he’s solid, his pass rush win rate doesn’t match that of elite pass rushers. He’s a valuable player, but not someone who keeps opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators up at night.
As for free agent signee Haason Reddick, he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations. He’s not bad and will likely contribute a handful of sacks this season, but he isn’t the game-changer we hoped for at this stage of his career.
For the past three years, I’ve argued that our lack of edge talent could be our downfall in the playoffs, and it’s hard to deny that this has been a significant factor. Championship teams have rushers who can consistently pressure the quarterback, even if they don’t always get the sack. They disrupt plays, force errant passes, and create opportunities for others—all without needing to send multiple defenders on the rush.
So, who on our roster currently fits that bill? Wouldn’t it be worth giving up a few draft picks to land that type of player? If this team is as legitimate as they appear, why not make that “checkmate” move?