In 2025, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense produced 37 sacks of opposing quarterbacks, the team's lowest full-season total since 2018. The Buccaneers also blitzed on 35.0% of their pass rush snaps, the third-highest blitz rate in the NFL. In addition, their percentage of pressures that resulted in sacks was only 14.7%, the third-lowest mark in the league.
In other words, the Bucs needed to send extra rushers at a high rate in order to get pressure in 2025, and their pass rush often wasn't cohesive enough to take advantage of potential sack opportunities. With an emphasis on building up the edge rush position, Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers focused in the offseason on creating a pass rush that could more often win with just four, and that played as an aggressive but more organized unit.
Those efforts included signing former Lion Al-Quadin Muhammad early in free agency and using their first-round draft pick on Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. when he stunningly fell to the 15th overall pick. Those two plus returning sack leader Yaya Diaby make a strong three-man rotation, but it doesn't end there. One more player who is expected to be a new part of that rotation is David Walker, who was on the team in 2025 but never got a chance to play.
Walker has certainly heard that message in his first full NFL offseason.
"Just get off- that's how we talk in the whole D-Line Room, that the number one thing is, 'Four Equals One,'" said Walker. "If we're all rushing together, nobody can be wrong. So that's something I picked up: just rush. Do your job first and the other things are second."
View the best photos from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first day of 2026 Minicamp at AdventHealth Training Center on June 16, 2026.
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Dean Patterson #8 and Wide Receiver Kadarius Calloway #49 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Head Coach Todd Bowles, Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 and Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and Wide Receiver David Sills V #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Offensive Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Guard Henry Lutovsky #61 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Javin Wright #48 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Josiah Trotter #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Josiah Trotter #45, Linebacker Caden Fordham #46 and Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Deshawn McKnight #73, Defensive Lineman DeMonte Capehart #90, Defensive Lineman Josiah Green #96 and Defensive Lineman Haggai Ndubuisi #60 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Josiah Trotter #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker John Bullock #30 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman DeMonte Capehart #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Defensive Line Coach Marcus West of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Deshawn McKnight #73 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Mohamed Kamara #59 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Cornerbacks Coach Rashad Johnson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Dean Patterson #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Jalon Daniels #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 and Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1, Running Back Sean Tucker #44 and Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Line Coach Marcus West, Defensive Lineman Haggai Ndubuisi #60, Defensive Tackle Vita Vea #50 and Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Safety Ja'Qurious Conley #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Deshawn McKnight #73 and Defensive Lineman Josiah Green #96 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 and Defensive Lineman A'Shawn Robinson #91 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34, Outside Linebacker Al-Quadin Muhammad #97, Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95, Defensive Lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches #56 and Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Quarterback Jake Browning #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Outside Linebacker Rueben Bain Jr. #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 and Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Dean Patterson #8, Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2, Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #11, Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15, Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17, Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 and Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Defensive Assistant Coach Todd Bowles Jr., Defensive Quality Control Coach Joey Fitzgerald and Offensive Quality Control Coach Blaine Stewart of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Offensive Quality Control Coach Blaine Stewart of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Josh Williams #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 and Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Ted Hurst III #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Kenneth Gainwell #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44, Wide Receiver Kadarius Calloway #49 and Running Back Josh Williams #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Assistant General Manager Rob McCartney, Assistant General Manager Mike Greenberg, Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and General Manager Jason Licht during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15, Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 and Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34 and Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Kicker B.T. Potter #33, Long Snapper Evan Deckers #86, Punter Riley Dixon #9, Kicker Chase McLaughlin #4 and Long Snapper Scott Daly #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Linebacker Josiah Trotter #45, Linebacker Alex Anzalone #34, Linebacker Javin Wright #48 and Linebacker John Bullock #30 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - June 16, 2026 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during 2026 Mini Camp at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Yaya Diaby/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Walker showed off his lightning quick get-off in the Bucs minicamp practice on Tuesday and overall is feeling great about his recovery from the training camp ACL tear that landed him on injured reserve for his entire rookie season. Prior to that injury, the fourth-round pick out of Central Arkansas was opening eyes on the practice field and apparently locking in a prominent spot in the edge rush rotation.
"Yeah, I feel good," said Walker after the second and last practice of minicamp on Wednesday. "I've just got to trust the movements and trust what the coaches are asking me to do right now.
"When I first got back on the field [I felt good]. When you get back to doing certain movements, 'Okay, I can trust that a little bit,' and it just progressed and progressed. And the staff man, the training staff, did a really good job of tending to my knees, and when it's hurting to back off a little bit. We're just looking forward. Honestly, I'm big in my faith. As soon as I got injured, I knew that God didn't bring me this far [just] to bring me this far. I was down for a little bit, but I was like, 'Man it's time to attack this rehab like I do everything else.' So the process was really long but I got to learn so much, just being in the room with the guys and still being around the team. So I'm looking forward to this year."
Head Coach Todd Bowles noted this week that in recent practices Walker has started to look very much like the player that was turning heads in the spring and summer last year. Still, the second-year player with zero games under his belt knows that he still faces a lot of competition to get on the field. Including the names listed above the Bucs' edge rush group also includes holdovers Anthony Nelson, Chris Braswell and Mohamed Kamara and undrafted rookies Yasir Holmes and Jack Pyburn.
"I love competition," said Walker. "I feel like that's what's going to make us better, just competing against each other. The coach is going to play who's showing the most production. I'm just here to do my part, if that's special teams are whatever. If he feels like I deserve to be in, he'll put me in.
"For me, it's just staying in my lane, controlling the controllable. I'm going to go out there, and when I get in I'm going to try to do the best I can do and not try to look to the left or the right to compete with the next guy. Just doing what I can do. If the coaches see that and they see the production, they're going to play who they're going to play."
Walker was an outstanding edge rusher at the collegiate level, where he amassed 39.0 sacks and 82.5 tackles for loss across three seasons. In April of 2025, the Buccaneers felt like they got something of a steal after landing him in the fourth round, and his early work on the practice field seemed to back that up. Now Walker is hoping to work his way onto the field in the regular season, and if he is able to do so he thinks it will be as part of a much more impactful edge rush unit.
"We're excited to rush," he said. "Bowles, he's going to put trust in us. He's going to let us do our thing and I'm excited for y'all to see it."
