The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into the offseason with a clear priority: fix the defense. After finishing 20th in scoring defense in 2025, it’s no secret that this unit needs reinforcements across the board - and edge rusher is near the top of the list.
YaYa Diaby was a bright spot last season, leading the team in pressures and establishing himself as a legitimate threat off the edge. But beyond Diaby, things get murky.
Haason Reddick, once one of the league’s most explosive pass rushers, showed signs of decline and is unlikely to return on a new deal. That leaves Tampa with a glaring need on the outside - and a decision to make: invest in a rookie through the draft, or go the veteran route in free agency?
Given the Bucs' desire to compete for the NFC South crown again and the number of holes still to fill on defense, bringing in a proven veteran makes a lot of sense. It allows the team to address other needs through the draft while immediately upgrading a position that desperately needs help.
And this year’s free agent class at edge rusher? It’s deep - from top-tier names like Trey Hendrickson to more cost-effective options like Boye Mafe.
But one name jumps off the page: Joey Bosa.
Bosa’s résumé speaks for itself. A former No. 3 overall pick, he burst onto the scene in 2016 as Defensive Rookie of the Year and followed that up with five Pro Bowl appearances, most recently in 2024. After nearly a decade with the Chargers, Bosa made the move to Buffalo in 2025 - and quietly had his best season in years.
According to Pro Football Focus, Bosa racked up 54 quarterback pressures last season - his highest total since 2021. That would’ve been just eight behind Diaby’s team-leading 62.
He also forced five fumbles, leading the league and matching his best mark since, you guessed it, 2021. But perhaps most encouraging of all?
He stayed healthy, playing in 15 of Buffalo’s 17 games - his most since that same 2021 campaign.
Now, let’s be clear: Bosa isn’t the same dominant force he was five years ago. He’s not dropping double-digit sacks every season anymore - he finished with fewer than half his 2021 total of 10.5 this past year.
But even in a more limited role, he’s still highly effective. If he had posted the same numbers in Tampa last season, he would’ve finished just a sack-and-a-half behind Diaby for the team lead.
And that’s the key here. Bosa doesn’t have to be the guy - he just needs to be a guy.
A reliable, disruptive presence who can complement Diaby and give opposing offenses something else to worry about. His ability to generate pressure, force turnovers, and bring a veteran presence to a young front seven could be exactly what this defense needs.
Plus, the Bucs wouldn’t be stopping at just one move. If they were to pair Bosa with another free agent like linebacker Devin Lloyd, the transformation of this front seven could be dramatic. You’re talking about adding two high-IQ, high-motor defenders who can change the tone of a game.
Cost-wise, Bosa played on a $12 million deal in Buffalo last year. If Tampa Bay can land him at a similar price, that’s a smart investment for a team looking to win now without mortgaging the future.
The Bucs don’t need to swing for the fences with every move - they just need to stack smart, strategic additions. Joey Bosa fits that mold.
He’s not the superstar he once was, but he’s still a difference-maker. And if Tampa wants to get serious about fixing its defense, Bosa could be a big step in the right direction.