Five games in, the Bucs’ biggest question mark on defense is not in the secondary — it is off the edge. The secondary has played well for the most part, but outside linebackers Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby have combined for just two sacks. Larry Foote, their position coach, is done waiting for production.
Foote publicly challenged the pass rushing duo this week. For Tampa Bay to be a true contender, Reddick and Diaby need to start meeting the high expectations Foote and the defensive staff set for them.
Larry Foote: “I Need More Activity” From Haason Reddick And Yaya Diaby
The addition of Haason Reddick in free agency, paired with the expected emergence from Yaya Diaby in year three, left reason to be optimistic about the Bucs outside pass rush this season. Reddick, a two-time Pro Bowler, was a value signing that is not too far removed from an 11-sack year in 2023 with the Eagles. For Diaby, the sacks did not show up last year for him, but one could tell he looked to be a more well-rounded player.
That was why Larry Foote stated before the season that Diaby had “no reason to be under 10 sacks.”
Bucs OLB Yaya Diaby and OLBs coach Larry Foote – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Now, those statements do not read the same, as neither has been a true game-changing edge rusher. Beyond the low sack totals, their pressure numbers also leave room for improvement. Reddick ranks 18th in the NFL with 20 pressures, while Diaby’s 18 are 22nd. Those are decent totals, but both are heavily padded by single-game spikes. 40% of Reddick’s pressures came in Week 1, while 50% of Diaby’s came in Week 3.
It has been tough sledding for each of them to display the kind of consistency Foote was hoping to see on a weekly basis. It is also a respective step back from when Reddick was tied for 15th with 67 pressures in 2023 and Diaby was ninth with 65 pressures in 2024.
Something has to change, and that is why Foote shared on Thursday that he wants them to be relentless disruptors.
Bucs OLBs Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby – Photo by: Jeffrey Jones/PR
“The challenge for them, that I have personally — just a little insight — is I need more activity,” Foote said. “Sometimes that pass rusher can get frustrated when that ball is coming out fast; you cannot control that. Every snap — when that ball is snapped — you need to think the quarterback is going to hold it for three seconds and you are going to be able to get [to] him. That is my challenge: I need more activity.
“They are doing a lot of good things, but I need more activity. Do not worry about the sack numbers and when the ball is being thrown. Each snap think about you are going to have an opportunity to get the quarterback, and do not let the short, quick game frustrate you.”
As a defense that possesses two talented pass rushers, defensive tackle Vita Vea and inside linebacker Lavonte David lead the way with two and one and a half sacks, respectively. It is not panic time yet, but the process eventually has to equate to results.
“Well, we are 4-1,” Foote said about how satisfied he is about the pass rush. “They have juice, they are doing a lot of good things in the run game. Ultimately, we measure pressure, sacks [and] quarterback hits, and we have to pick it up. It ties in on the backend, we [have] to get the quarterback to hold the ball as far as tighter coverage or whatnot. Ultimately, let us control what we can control and that is effort and getting to that quarterback.”
Will Bucs Pass Rush Come Together Against 49ers?
Larry Foote’s challenge is a welcome sign of accountability and an attempt to motivate his position room. It was a tough game to watch by the Bucs’ defense in the last game, as Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold was unbothered by pressure and found whoever he wanted in the passing game.
Whether Foote’s message lands will be tested immediately against the 49ers.
Things appear easier on paper facing a San Francisco team missing quarterback Brock Purdy, wide receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, and tight end George Kittle. Still, head coach Kyle Shanahan makes his system work with whoever he has, meaning they cannot let up.
Bucs OLBs coach Larry Foote, ILB Lavonte David, DB Tykee Smith and HC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
As it relates to the Bucs outside linebacker room, Yaya Diaby has as tough of a matchup as they come against left tackle Trent Williams. Williams is still holding up and playing strong at 37 years old. At right tackle, Colton McKivitz has emerged as a solidified starter who recently signed a three-year, $45 million deal. Being able to get after Mac Jones will mean winning one-on-one against two quality offensive linemen, which only adds to the challenge of facing a 49ers’ offense that can still control the game.
“They can run the ball, ” Foote said. “They do not have big numbers yet, but they are still running the ball, so we are going to have to stop it no matter what. We do not want [those] guys to get going this week. They are going to run the ball, they are going to give us a lot of different formations and looks — fullback is in the game, he is out wide, so [we] are going to get a lot of different looks.
“[Our] guys just have to key in to how they line up, look at the formation and play ball. They challenge you; they mess with your eyes. A lot of eye candy, so you have to zone in and look at what you are supposed to look at.”
If the Bucs’ defense is going to bounce back in Week 6, it starts with their pass rush. Haason Reddick and Yaya Diaby have the talent, but now they need to make the impact.