After a flurry of offseason additions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense could be unrecognizable in 2026.
Todd Bowles’ unit received an overhaul, with four new starters coming through free agency and the draft.
But Bowles believes it’s the culture of the defense — not the actual play on the field — that will make the biggest difference this season.
Todd Bowles credits new additions for changing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ culture
Bowles appeared on The Rondé Barber Show to preview the upcoming season for the Buccaneers.
He was asked what the biggest change for this year’s team compared to last season would be, and his answer spoke volumes.
“The biggest change for me is A’Shawn Robinson and Nacho (Rakeem Nuñez-Roches) because they bring attitude, they bring accountability, and they call people out on it. And they did that from Day 1 when we got in the offseason program — and that made everybody else snap into shape and fall in line. And that was the biggest change for me. That was the biggest thing.”
Bowles’ emphasis on accountability as one of the team’s biggest changes is jarring. Sure, it’s an encouraging sentiment for the upcoming season, but it certainly carries some negative implications about last season. Where were Tampa Bay’s leaders in 2025?
It’s long been known that the Buccaneers lacked a certain edge last season defensively and a culture change was in order. But this is the first time Bowles has openly acknowledged that the leadership was weak last season. Too often, the defense had mental lapses that resulted in big plays for opponents, and they failed to play with the physicality Bowles expects of them.
There will be no excuses in 2026. In addition to Robinson and Nacho, who Bowles singled out, the team also brought in wily veteran Alex Anzalone, who was a five-time team captain with the Detroit Lions.
The Bucs’ first two draft picks, Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter, are also expected to bring a newfound energy and accountability to the defense.
It’s becoming clearer by the day why changing the culture was such a priority for the Buccaneers this offseason. Despite having 12-time team captain Lavonte David manning the defense, along with other multi-year captains such as Vita Vea and Antoine Winfield Jr., the leadership they provided clearly wasn’t sufficient.
Bowles clearly expects his new offseason additions to make a major impact and hold this Bucs defense to a championship-level standard as Tampa Bay looks to right the ship in a pivotal season for the franchise.
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