Something big is brewing within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense during training camp
The Buccaneers desperately need the defense to rebound in 2026 and it sounds like that’s exactly what’s happening in recent training camp practices.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is starting to come to life after five practices into training camp.
After finishing 2025 with their worst defensive performance under Todd Bowles since his 2019 arrival, the Buccaneers needed a bounce-back from that side of the ball more than anything. So far, that’s exactly what’s happening. The pass rush, the secondary, the inside linebackers, every facet you want clicking right now is clicking for Tampa Bay’s defense. And they’re doing it all without defensive tackle Vita Vea, whose contract standoff continues to linger.
Zyon McCollum is setting the tone in the secondary
The secondary’s rebirth starts with McCollum, and he’s delivering, per reports. McCollum recorded interceptions in back-to-back practices, and those attending camp say he’s looking like the player who earned the big extension he signed ahead of last season. McCollum is going into this season as the Buccaneers’ No. 1 cornerback, and he’s gotta get back on track for the secondary to function as a formidable unit.
McCollum isn’t going to be a guy who gets you six, seven, eight interceptions in a season. But he’s a sticky corner who knows how to get his hands on the ball and can match up with just about any receiver in the NFL. He can play man coverage and zone. He is a viable starting corner for any NFL defense and the Buccaneers need him to continue his impressive training camp.
David Walker is stealing the show
The pass rush department has been just as impressive. Rookie Rueben BainJr. has been everything the Buccaneers thought he would be so far and Yaya Diaby is stacking practices at a consistent clip. But David Walker might be the one stealing all the headlines on the defensive side of the ball right now.
Walker has recorded at least one sack in five straight practices. If he keeps this going and it translates to the regular season, combined with Bain doing his thing and Diaby taking that next step, you’re talking about a very solid 3-man EDGE rotation Tampa Bay really hasn’t had since Bowles arrived. Sure, they had Shaquil Barrett and JPP back in that 2019 to 2021 years, but there wasn’t a legitimate third option on the outside. Walker fills that void. He’s bendy, twitchy, fierce, and he produced at a high level in college.
What’s even more impressive is the fact Walker is coming off a torn ACL he suffered in training camp last year. It honestly sounds like he hasn’t lost a step. We usually talk about how players aren’t really themselves after that first year of ACL surgery, as they attempt to get both their confidence and standard of play back up to par. That doesn’t seem to be the case, here. If all of this is coming together this early, it should give you nothing but high hopes.
Now granted, nothing is ever guaranteed in this sport. Let’s keep our powder dry. But it’s impossible to not be encouraged about what this defense is showing early on. If this group can get back to that 10-to-12th ranked range, just be above average and have those weeks where they really force their will on lesser opponents, the Buccaneers should be back in the playoffs and back atop the NFC South.
It’s not just Walker and McCollum standing out, either. Rookie LB Josiah Trotter had an excellent practice on Monday. Alex Anzalone is settling right in. Calijah Kancey has flashed on several occasions and Bowles talked about how Antoine Winfield Jr. is having the best offseason of his career.
Even guys like Ayden Garnes are making strong pushes for a spot on the 53-man roster.
There are pieces in play all across this unit and it’s more than reasonable to believe the Buccaneers are back on track if this bleeds over from training camp/preseason and into the regular season.
