The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense has struggled throughout the 2024 season, facing numerous challenges including injuries to key players, ineffective tackling, and a lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Despite ranking 11th in the NFL with 39 sacks, the reality is that their pass rush has been largely ineffective without blitzing. Star edge rushers YaYa Diaby and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka have combined for only 4.5 sacks, highlighting the team's reliance on unconventional strategies to generate pressure.
Top sack contributors Calijah Kancey, Vita Vea, and Lavonte David, who play different positions, underscore the lack of production from the outside linebacker and defensive end spots. With the postseason hopes hanging by a thread, general manager Jason Licht has decided to bring back former star edge rusher Shaquil Barrett, who was recently released by the Miami Dolphins. Barrett's return could revitalize a struggling defense that desperately needs a spark.
During his previous five years with the Buccaneers, Barrett was a standout, recording 45 sacks, including a remarkable 19.5 sacks in his breakout 2019 season. His contributions were pivotal in the Buccaneers' Super Bowl victory in 2021. As Barrett prepares to join the roster pending a physical, the key question remains: can he still perform at a high level and provide the much-needed energy to a defense in dire need of improvement?
