Extending YaYa Diaby
February 13th, 2026
Worthy of extension.
There are more holes in the Bucs defense than a beehive. That doesn’t mean the defense is bereft of talent.
One way to try to fill all the holes is to find decent free agents. The Bucs have pending free agents that beancounters can magically make extra cap space appear — by reworking contracts and extending contracts.
This brings Joe to Bucs outside linebacker YaYa Diaby. He’s entering a contract year this fall. And he’s the closest thing the Bucs have to an edge rusher.
And that’s why Joe’s good friend, NFL humorist/columnist Mike Tanier, thinks it would be very smart of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to extend YaYa, play some games with the cap, and go buy an inside linebacker.
One Thing the Buccaneers Should Do
Extend Yaya Diaby’s contract. Diaby is not an elite edge rusher, but he’s the best the Bucs have, and he’s one of the few youngish players who was getting the job done down the stretch in 2025.
That’s a great point by Tanier. How many of the Bucs’ young players were making an impact in games in December? Not many. YaYa was one of the few. (Yeah, Jacob Parrish did, too.)
So yeah, the Bucs could extend YaYa (if he doesn’t want to test the free agent waters) and the cap space saved could go to an inside linebacker.
February 13th, 2026 at 9:10 am
You aren’t saving cap space by extending a player on his rookie contract. That math doesn’t add up. Whatever Diaby makes in his next contract is going to be significantly higher than what he makes in his slotted pay scale in the 3rd round.
February 13th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Top 5 offense!
That’s all I’m looking forward to.
Because this defense we seen before.
2026 is RINSE AND REPEAT
February 13th, 2026 at 9:15 am
I mean it’s a contract year for him. If he believes in himself he will try to get 10+ sacks and double an extension amount. Maybe munch can explain how baker has caused a stagnation in yaya’s progress?
February 13th, 2026 at 9:33 am
Risk here is overpaying, something that Bucs history speaks for himself….
February 13th, 2026 at 9:36 am
I smell a 4 year 60 million contract from Ring of honor, Bud light and ACDC loving GM Jason Licht
February 13th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Double digit TFLs and two seasons of 7 plus sacks, and very good against the run, all for an extension. All while being the only true pass rusher in the team except for when kanccey actually plays.
.
February 13th, 2026 at 9:46 am
YaYa is worth extending at a reasonable price. Joe you are right, he is the best we have and we can’t affored to lose him. Yes extend him , get a real edge player in free agency, and draft 2 stud linebackers that can cover. I think even Jason has to admit he is lost when it comes to drafting edge players, so Jason, please save the pick and try LB’s or another corner like Parrish. Licht can’t plug all the holes on defense this year, there are way to many to fill. However, an edge rusher and and 2 real LB’s would certainly go a long way.
February 13th, 2026 at 10:03 am
Extend him early. It worked out so well with Zyon. Seriously it would be better to wait. Let the new GM make that call next offseason after Bowles, and Licht are fired.
February 13th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Yaya is not Zyon!!!
I’d definitely extend him early….
He’s got the right attitude but just needs to mature more with his “feel” when it comes to the very end of his pash rush…
He been missing out on quite a few sacks cuz of the end component..
February 13th, 2026 at 10:17 am
i think Ya need to let him play it out and Ya pay a bit more on the next deal. if he has a great year he does and nobody cares a bit about a fatter bag after that.
jason dont need to get zyoned again so soon…..how embarrassing.
February 13th, 2026 at 10:23 am
zzbucs Says:
Risk here is overpaying, something that Bucs history speaks for himself….
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There’s a risk EITHER way, by extending a player or not extending the player.
You risk overpaying by extending him early. But you risk paying an extra truckload of cash by not extending that player when you believe he’s about to have a good year.
It’s not an exact science. And yeah, the Bucs have gotten burned by extending players. But I doubt any GM in the league has a perfect record when it comes to handling this situation.
February 13th, 2026 at 10:36 am
Extend him. Hes solid. He’ll be even better with more help on the d line
February 13th, 2026 at 10:41 am
Bucfan1988 knows exactly what YaYa needs to do on his pass rush. lol. Smh.
February 13th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Extend him. He’s closest thing we have at almost sacking the QB!
February 13th, 2026 at 11:04 am
He was one of the few players that played with heart and energy (esp. the final few weeks). Extend him.