New deal coming?

The closest thing the Bucs have to a double-digit edge rusher is YaYa Diaby. Therefore, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has no desire to see YaYa pull a Mike Evans and bolt the Bucs for a new chapter.

In YaYa’s rookie year (2023), he had 7.5 sacks. He hasn’t yet matched that but did have 7 sacks last season. Licht doesn’t want to see his homegrown talent leave and is open-minded about expenting YaYa before he has a chance to hit free agency.

“We’ll figure things out,” Licht told Joe and two other scribes at the NFL owners meetings Monday in Arizona. “I’d love to have YaYa here long term.”

Licht believes YaYa is a bit overlooked as a core player.

“He’s a very good young player,” Licht said. Diaby is “probably a little bit underappreciated.

“I think overall, what he’s done, he’s a good young player. We like him a lot.”

The thing Joe likes about YaYa is the guy has heart and drive. And, for the people who value quarterback pressures, YaYa provides that.

Joe has to believe if the Bucs had a monster opposite side YaYa at the other edge rusher, it would help YaYa out because right now offenses know if they take out YaYa, their quarterback could order General Tso’s chicken from the neighborhood Chinese restaurant and not have to worry about getting hit.