The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars held joint practice this week ahead of their preseason game on Saturday night.
One of the key matchups was Todd Bowles’ defense against Liam Coen’s offense. The two have plenty of experience battling during training camp, with Coen formerly serving as the Bucs offensive coordinator in 2024.
Tampa Bay’s defense has changed a lot since then, thanks to an offseason built on overhauling the unit. Coen took notice of the team’s improvements, and his analysis of the Buccaneers defense speaks volumes about how much the unit has improved.
Jacksonville Jaguars HC Liam Coen says Tampa Bay Buccaneers got “faster” on defense
Coen spoke to reporters after Tuesday's joint practice and was asked how Tampa Bay's current defense compares to the unit he faced in 2024.
“A lot of new faces, but man, I think they’re fast. Especially in the box. Like their front seven, I feel faster… They have a fast defense. I think they’ve got multiple players at different levels that can make plays… It was great to compete against these guys again.”
If Coen didn’t make it clear enough by saying it repeatedly in his answer, the Buccaneers are fast on defense.
Coen went on to name Zyon McCollum and Antoine Winfield Jr. as two players who stood out to him during joint practice.
Hearing a respected offensive coach point out the speed of the front seven is an encouraging sign. That’s the area of the roster the Buccaneers invested in the most this offseason.
They signed Al-Quadin Muhammad and drafted Rueben Bain Jr. in an effort to shore up the pass rush. They also have David Walker coming back from injury, and he’s a big contributor of speed off the edge.
At the inside linebacker spot, they signed veteran Alex Anzalone and drafted Josiah Trotter, who the Bucs are hoping will add a new blend of speed, power, and physicality to the defense.
The front seven is unrecognizable from a season ago, and they left an impression on Jacksonville.
If the Buccaneers defense reaches its full potential, they can be a special unit. Their pass rush looks especially dangerous on paper, and altogether, they’ve got a very physical group eager to punish opposing offenses.
If Tampa Bay wants to not only return to the playoffs, but take the next step into true Super Bowl contention, a top-shelf defense would go a long way toward achieving that goal.
Results may not be immediate, as Bowles’ unit could have as many as five new starters, including three rookies. They’ll need some time to gel, but they’re showing glimpses of what could be the best defense the Buccaneers have trotted out in years.
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