Rueben Bain Jr. didn’t arrive in Tampa Bay looking for shortcuts. He arrived looking for somebody to lean on, somebody to learn from, and somebody who’s already been through the NFL grind. That guy, by Bain’s own words, is Yaya Diaby.
For a rookie, that kind of relationship matters. Diaby is heading into his fourth NFL season, and all of it has come with the Buccaneers.
Over the past two years, he’s started every game, and now he’s taking on a bigger role than just edge rusher. He’s become a steady voice for Bain, a mentor, and a reliable guide as the rookie settles in.
Bain made clear that the connection goes back before Tampa Bay ever got involved. When asked about their on-field bond, he pointed to a relationship that started in high school. “He’s the first guy I’m running to off the field, first guy I’m talking to when we get on the field," Bain said about Diaby, " So we kind of build each and every day, day in and day out."
That kind of comfort shows up in the way Bain has been working in camp. He’s been disruptive, and part of that growth comes from going against Luke Goedeke every day. Bain didn’t hide how much those reps have helped him.
“I go against Luke every day - I feel like we battle each and every day." Bain said.
"He gets the best of me, and I get to grow from that. I get to learn and experience it from one of the best in the game right now, and I don't take that for granted at all.
So far, Bain has handled the moment like a player who knows exactly what matters. Even with the weight of being overlooked earlier in the draft, he’s shown up with the right approach.
That means more than just his work on the field. Bain said he’s also focused on being a strong teammate and earning the trust of the players and coaches around him.
The Buccaneers have reasons to feel good about what they’ve seen. Bain’s draft slide was tied to concerns about his arm length, with some teams wondering how he’d hold up against bigger offensive linemen. Early on, that concern doesn’t look like much of a concern at all.
There’s also a bigger picture here for Tampa Bay. The team needs Bain to help carry forward the kind of presence that Lavonte David left behind. At one point, David even laughed about retirement, saying the idea of playing with Bain this season had crossed his mind, even if only for a moment.
And if Bain keeps looking like this, the Buccaneers may end up with a major steal. Getting him at 20 already looks sharp, and the thought of Miami passing on LB Jacob Rodriguez only adds to the what-if. That pairing would have made Tampa Bay’s defense look even stronger.
The one move Jason Licht can’t afford to let linger now is Diaby’s contract. With Diaby entering the final year of his deal, the Buccaneers’ general manager needs to get him extended.
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Mayfield, for his part, has not hidden his dissatisfaction with how the negotiations have gone, and that has added some friction to a relationship the Buccaneers hoped would feel settled by now. The conversation is only sharpened by his history with previous teams and the lingering question of whether his production has been enough to remove any doubt about his place in the franchise-quarterback tier. [Read more 🡒]
Rueben Bain Is Giving Buccaneers Fans A Reason To Believe Early
Rueben Bain Jr. is getting an early taste of what life can look like in the NFL, and it is a useful one for a Buccaneers defense trying to find more juice off the edge. The rookie outside linebacker has been spending training camp going against Tampa Bays offensive tackles, with most of the work coming against Luke Goedeke and regular reps helping him adjust to the speed and strength he will face this season.
Todd Bowles has already noticed the physical traits and the preparation, which is usually a promising combination for a young pass rusher. For a team that can use immediate help, Bains early camp work offers a reason for optimism, even if the bigger question is how quickly that promise turns into real production once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]