When the Buccaneers brought in A’Shawn Robinson this offseason, the move looked like a sensible depth add for a strong defensive front. Six games into 2026, it has turned into much more than that. Robinson has been one of Tampa Bay’s most dependable defenders and, in a season that hasn’t gone the way the team wanted, one of the clearest bright spots.
Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers was the latest proof. Robinson picked off Aaron Rodgers for his second interception of the season after rookie Rueben Bain Jr. got a hand on the pass at the line of scrimmage.
Robinson hauled it in and handed Tampa Bay’s offense an early chance to score. For a defensive tackle, that kind of play stands out immediately, and Robinson has now made a habit of showing up in moments like that.
The interceptions are eye-catching, but they’re only part of the story. Robinson entered Week 6 with an 89.1 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked first among 132 qualifying interior defensive linemen.
His 89.3 run defense grade sat second at the position, and he had also produced five quarterback pressures and a sack. In other words, this hasn’t just been a lucky stretch or a couple of splash plays.
He has been doing the dirty work inside and doing it at a high level.
That’s been especially important because of what he brings against the run. Robinson has given Tampa Bay a physical, disciplined presence in the middle, one that helps clog lanes, occupy blockers and free up the linebackers behind him. That kind of interior control changes how offenses have to operate.
It also matters because Vita Vea has long been the anchor of the Buccaneers’ defensive interior. Vea has been the player offenses build their protection plans around for years.
Robinson’s arrival and production have taken some of that burden off him, giving Tampa Bay a second interior defender who can tilt the line of scrimmage. Robinson’s 58.3 pass-rush grade entering Week 6 shows he hasn’t been a major force as a pure pass rusher, but his impact against the run and his knack for creating turnovers have made him one of the team’s most valuable defenders.
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Aaron Rodgers Just Sparked A New Buccaneers Stadium Debate
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The comments were especially pointed coming from Rodgers, who finished the game with two touchdowns, one interception and 253 passing yards. For Tampa Bay, it adds another layer to a stadium conversation that is never far from the surface anyway, and Rodgers remarks only sharpened the debate over whether the field is living up to the standard expected at this level. [Read more 🡒]