It’s no secret that the Bucs’ defense struggled mightily last season. While much of the attention centered on the team’s issues against the pass, the regression of the Tampa Bay rush defense was also a major factor in the unit’s disappointing performance.
The Buccaneers surrendered 24.2 points per game during the 2025 season, ranking 20th in the NFL. It marked the most points allowed by the Todd Bowles-led defense since his first year as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator in 2019.
Much of the criticism focused on the Bucs’ lackluster pass defense. Tampa Bay allowed 238.2 passing yards per game, ranking 27th in the league, and opponents eclipsed 250 passing yards in 10 different games.
But alongside those struggles defending the air attack, the Buccaneers also took a noticeable step backward against the run.
Revamped Tampa Bay rush defense looks to return to dominance in 2026
Tampa Bay’s rushing defense ranked fifth in the league, allowing just 99.1 rushing yards per game. But Carolina’s 19 rushing yards on wet grass at Raymond James Stadium in Week 18 skewed that number. The Bucs were allowing 104.1 rushing yards per game entering the matchup.
The Bucs’ opponents averaged 4.3 yards per carry last year, which ranked 17th in the NFL. In 2024, the Tampa Bay rush defense was dominant, holding opponents under 100 rushing yards in each of its final nine games of the season. In 2025, the Bucs allowed 100 or more rushing yards in four of their final five games.
The 4.3 yards per carry allowed marked the second-highest total surrendered by a Todd Bowles defense since he took over as Tampa Bay’s defensive playcaller in 2019. It was also the first time the Bucs failed to finish inside the top 10 in yards allowed per rush since 2022.
How Tampa Bay addressed its run defense this offseason
If this offseason is any indication, Jason Licht and the Bucs are looking to return to having an elite run defense.
The Bucs signed veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson to a one-year deal. Robinson has been a force in the trenches throughout his 10-year NFL career. Last season with Carolina, his run-defense grade ranked 33rd among defensive linemen, and he ranked fifth among defensive linemen with 45 solo tackles.
Tampa Bay also revamped its linebacker corps following the retirement of Lavonte David. The Bucs brought in veterans Alex Anzalone, and Christian Rozeboom in free agency. The tandem combined for 217 tackles last season.
Three of Tampa Bay’s seven draft picks will play in the front seven of the defense. First-round EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. is well known for his pass-rush prowess, but he is effective against the run as well, posting 15.5 tackles for loss and an 86.2 run-defense grade. Second-round pick Josiah Trotter recorded 13.5 tackles for loss and an 89.2 run-defense grade, the 15th-best mark among linebackers in the country. Fifth-round pick DeMonte Capehart also built a reputation as a run stuffer at Clemson.
The Bucs return several strong run defenders
Along with the new additions, the Bucs will return several elite run stoppers from last year’s defense. Vita Vea was drafted in 2019 and has been a key cog in Bowles’ dominant rushing defenses in Tampa Bay. He recorded 34 tackles and seven tackles for loss last season.
Tykee Smith posted 100 tackles in his first year playing safety last season. He earned a 72.4 run-defense grade, the second-highest on the team behind only rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish, who posted a 78.5 run-defense grade in 2025.
Outside linebacker Yaya Diaby ranked 19th in the NFL with 13 tackles for loss.
With all the moves made this offseason, the Tampa Bay rush defense appears poised to return to elite form in 2026, even after a down year by its standards in 2025.
