Chucky: Go Get An Edge Rusher
February 4th, 2026
“C’mon Todd, you gotta start embracing an edge rush. I have no friggin’ idea if Maxx Crosby can cover his mouth when he coughs, forget covering receivers. But the man destroys quarterbacks!”
For those who follow Chucky on social media, you know the following.
Chucky considers an elite edge rusher as a Mariano Rivera, Kenley Jansen or Bruce Sutter of good defenses. A closer. A guy who slams the door shut on offensive comebacks late in games.
Appearing with Tom Krasniqi on WDAE-AM 620 last week, Chucky hasn’t moved from his core belief that without a ferocious edge rush, a team can only go so far.
“I think that’s a winning edge that a great defense has, it’s a fourth quarter pass rush,” Chucky said. “You know, when we got Simeon Rice, things changed for us.”
Chucky isn’t wrong. The Bucs defense was already arguably the league’s best in 2001. When Richie McKay got Simeon Rice, he took that defense from very good to historic.
Joe saw how Green Bay went out in August and made a splash by acquiring Micah Parsons. Chucky thinks it would be smart of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to identify a guy who gives quarterbacks the shivers at night, and go get him.
“I think the Buccaneers need to take a page out of the Green Bay Packers,” Chucky said. “They went out and got Parsons. Perhaps Jason Licht can swing a deal to get a great rusher?
“And I’m sure he’s looking at the guys that are available in this draft as well, but that’s an area that the Buccaneers, I think we all realize they got to improve upon.”
As far as a great edge rusher, Krasniqi asked Chucky about a guy he used to coach, Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Of course, Chucky was all for the Bucs trying to trade for Crosby but he didn’t seem to think that it was possible.
“Yeah, I mean, if you’re anybody, you make a big play for Maxx,” Chucky said. “If you’re the Raiders, you’re one of the dumbest franchises in America if you let him out of there.”
Look out, Tom Brady!
But here’s what Joe keeps in mind when discussing whether the Bucs should trade for an edge rusher, any edge rusher:
Under the current coaching regime, it’s not about if the guy can put a quarterback on his ass. No, no, no. That’s not the key. What we must know is, can the guy cover receivers 15-20 yards downfield?
February 4th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
This team has so many needs,
Edge Rushers are an immediate need for this team
But so is ILB, CB, DT, WR, RB, TE
We’re not an Edge Rusher from the Super Bowl
We need a higher quality of players on this roster
That’s the main thing
February 4th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Sign Odafe Oweh
Trade for Jeffrey Simmons or Cam Hayward
Draft OG with our first pick(keeps baker clean & open up running lanes)
GO BUCS!!!!
February 4th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Oweh would be a nice addition
February 4th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
Todd Bowles doesn’t need an edge rusher according to him sacks don’t matter it’s just pressures lol. Not sure how a defensive guru could ever think that.?
February 4th, 2026 at 1:50 pm
That’s funny JOE. I didn’t read any article about you complaining about this in 2020 when the Bucs dropped JPP , Shaq and vea into coverage that year. NFC champ game at Green Bay vea dropped into coverage and murdered a guy who dropped the pass. Also Bowles isnt the only coach who does this. A lot more defensive coaches do this now
February 4th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
This joe gets it they could have gotten Myles Garrett but what good is he if he is covering wrs 15 yards down the field. Thanks for another depressing season glazers appreciate it.
February 4th, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Glad an offensive coach can tell “the defensive guru” the obvious. He’s too stubborn to listen. Jason, make him!
February 4th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
813, The recommendations are fine. Minus Heyward. Guys 100 years old. And would cost too much. And wouldn’t be worth it. Simmons? For sure. And Oweh would be a nice addition as well.
February 4th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Maxx Crosby is damaged goods with an expensive price tag.
I like his moxy but he put up 10 sacks for $30M.
February 4th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
I’ll say it again.. the bucs havent been able to draft a 10 sack edge rusher since lee roy selmon.. they better trade for one. And does anyone remembee jpp and shaq barrett covering wrs down the field??? NOPE… you wanna know why, because there was no need to disguise blitzes, those guys got PRESSURE! Bucs dont have that right now.
There is way more footage of reddick and nelson covering pass catchers than it is footage of yaya diaby…. Wanna know why? Because yaya gets constant pressure. Not a fan nor a hater of bowles, but the whole pass rushers covering pass catchers complaint is old. Micah parsons has covered his fair share of WRs
February 4th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
WR is not an “immediate” need for this, not even close.
Edge and Ilber are the immediate needs. Depth at CB, TE and OL would be next.
February 4th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Todd knows how to get the best out of his players.
February 4th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
We need a consistent pass rush! It doesn’t have to be an “edge” rusher but someone needs to win.
FYI – of the teams with the top edge rushers in 2025 (top 4) only one made the playoffs