Before He Exerts Pressure, Rueben Bain Must Handle Pressure
July 22nd, 2026
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
On the brink of Buccaneers training camp, Rueben Bain looms exceedingly large.
Beyond his 6-foot-2, 265-pound frame, the first-round pick out of the University of Miami carries a huge burden into a defining season for Todd Bowles and the entire organization.
Rueben Bain
The Bucs were both thrilled and shocked Bain was still on the draft board with the 15th pick. While detractors were debating Bain’s short arms, the Bucs embraced him fully. Jason Licht didn’t hesitate to grab a powerful force expected to immediately impact an embattled defense.
Opponents averaged 26 points per game during the 2-7 slide that cost the Bucs a fifth consecutive division crown. A unit that posted 25 sacks during a 6-2 getaway generated only 12 sacks in the final nine games.
This franchise is counting on Bain to be the catalyst for a revived pass rush, starting with a Week 1 matchup against Cincinnati’s dynamic passing attack.
Only three clubs blitzed more often than Tampa Bay last year, yet the Bucs ranked 22nd in QB hits and 24th in sack percentage.
Rookies, including first-round picks, typically face a learning curve at the pro level. They are expected to struggle early while adjusting to the nuances of NFL play.
Not this rookie.
Before he exerts pressure, Bain must handle pressure.
You could make a powerful argument that he is Tampa Bay’s most consequential draft choice since Jameis Winston was selected first overall in 2015.
Let’s not forget Tristan Wirfs played right tackle, not left, in his first three NFL seasons. Devin White, chosen fifth overall in 2019, was an inside linebacker.
If Bain fails to make an impact, it’s a stretch to suggest Tampa Bay’s pass rush will be significantly improved this fall. He’s being counted on as a difference maker, whether he’s coming off the edge or breaking down the pocket from the interior.
The early reviews on Bain are glowing.
“He is an absolute beast,” says Cody Mauch.
“Off the film, if you had to bet, he’s going to be a star,” says assistant coach Larry Foote, comparing Bain’s skill set to former Steelers standout James Harrison, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist on three occasions.
“This guy has a playing style that Tampa Bay fans are gonna love,” Jon Gruden said on WDAE radio. “I think he can be a double-digit sack guy.”
That’s rare for any first-year player.
In 2017, rookie Myles Garrett had seven sacks in 11 games. and T.J. Watt had seven sacks in 15 games. In 2014, Khalil Mack registered four sacks in 16 games. In 2022, Aidan Hutchinson posted 9.5 sacks in 17 games. A year later, rookie Will Anderson had seven sacks in 15 games.
But it can be done.
Von Miller posted 11.5 sacks during his 2011 rookie season. Micah Parsons racked up 13 sacks in 2021 and Atlanta’s James Pearce Jr. had 10.5 sacks as a rookie last year. Maxx Crosby got the job done with 10 sacks in 2019.
Nobody is planning on easing Bain into this reeling defense. He’s not going to sit behind David Walker or Chris Braswell. Although he was solid against the run with the Hurricanes, Bain is here to hunt quarterbacks.
The good news for Bain? Teams love to throw against the Bucs. Since Bowles arrived in 2019, Buc opponents pass on 61 percent of their snaps.
It’s been a very long time since a player drafted by the Bucs produced a double-digit sack season for Tampa Bay. Warren Sapp (16.5) and Marcus Jones (13) turned the trick for the 2000 Buccaneers.
That was four years before Bain was born.
Bain looks the part of a stud. He enters the NFL determined to show how almost half the league passed him by — overlooking his 83 pressures in 2025. That’s the most recorded by any FBS player since 2017.
Few Bucs have approached their rookie seasons with this much hype. The expectations for Bain are off the charts.
He wants to be great, and that’s half the battle. But before Buc fans start comparing Bain to Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice or Jason Pierre-Paul, cut this young man some slack.
Double-digit sacks would be marvelous. Making everyone around him better would be the greatest gift of all.
July 22nd, 2026 at 10:10 am
Outstanding write-up but it fails to answer the obvious question…
How well does he cover a WR 20 yards down the field?
July 22nd, 2026 at 10:25 am
Settle down Bucco! He was drafted for harassing Qb’s
July 22nd, 2026 at 10:31 am
It’s not the players that make the defense terrible. It’s the scheme.
Get rid of the scheme and the defense improves dramatically overnight.
July 22nd, 2026 at 10:33 am
If it takes 2 guys to block him he’s doing his job
July 22nd, 2026 at 10:36 am
so 13 ties record for 17-game season hmmm
July 22nd, 2026 at 11:01 am
If Kancey & Vita stays healthy watch out!! Bain will eat, Go Bucs
July 22nd, 2026 at 11:22 am
He won’t get double digits and not because he’s not capable of it, it’s because Terrible Todd loves having an outdated defense and dropping his pass rushers into coverage.
My god, Anthony Nelson having to cover James Cook on a go route out of the backfield will forever haunt me.
July 22nd, 2026 at 11:36 am
GREAT JOB SAGE!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
July 22nd, 2026 at 11:56 am
If opponents can’t double team any of our rushers because of Baine’s pressures. the Bucs should have a legit chance or returning to the glory years of Shag, Sapp, Pierre-Paul and Rice.
(Sounds like a powerful Law Firm) but that’s what these Bucs defenders did in their glory years.
July 22nd, 2026 at 11:59 am
ABSOLUTELY OWNED
6’2 (short), 263lbs (light), short arms, 4.7 (slow)
He had 4.5 sacks during the regular season. He had 1 great CFP game. That’s it.
!!!!!!!! 4.5 IS REALITY !!!!!!!!
If he couldn’t beat ACC OT, how is he going to beat NFL OT?
I love Licht but when did y’all start believing Licht knew how to draft good edges?
It’s not his thing.
July 22nd, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Steve V clearly didn’t get the reference.
WiscoJoe clearly did.
Incredibly Average Todd Bowles is going to misuse Bane by having him in coverage.
That… that… that’s what I think. (Fully expect a bunch of folks will miss that reference, too.)
July 22nd, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Lots of “ifs” here. He needs to produce. We NEED him to produce to wash away the memories of the failed experiments of past “pass rushers”!
July 22nd, 2026 at 12:14 pm
Try not to ruin him with your “I am smarter than everyone else” schemes Coach Bowles. You aren’t fooling anyone. Coach your guys to play fast and physical, put them in positions to be at their best and then get your oversized rear end out of the way. The sand is running out of the hour glass for you. Wake up and get it right.
July 22nd, 2026 at 1:56 pm
@Trolls 🧌
22 days until:
* 🏈 Baker Mayfield and the offense are back.
* 💥 We get our first look at Rueben Bain Jr. and the revamped defensive front.
* 👀 Young players battle for roster spots.
* ☠️ Buccaneers football returns!
🔥 LFG!
🫡 Join now or repent later!!
July 22nd, 2026 at 2:06 pm
OLBs drop into zone. And play the run. And rush the passer.
It’s been happening for years and years. Remember Harrisons 99 yard pick 6 in the Superbowl ? Lineman in coverage!
Simple minds continue to show their lack of football knowledge when they trott out these same, tired cliches.
July 22nd, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Stats don’t mean what they used to. More games. Too many, IMO. 16 was perfect.
July 22nd, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Shaq Barrett only dropped into coverage on like 13% of his snaps. I expect similar numbers from Bain which won’t affect his sack statistics much at all and he might even pick up an interception or two like Barrett did.
July 22nd, 2026 at 2:25 pm
or, it’s 17 NFL games and he has already approached that in college. maybe won’t run out of gas like other rookie starters
July 22nd, 2026 at 2:33 pm
Todd Bowles is not capable of wearing 2 hats. The Owners screwed the team and fans for keeping him as the leader of the Bucs and as DC.
Outside of giving the nod to signing Tom Brady, when was the last time that the Glazers did things right (sans daddy Malcolm)?
July 22nd, 2026 at 3:11 pm
If Bain is mostly rushing the QB, then don’t expect very many sacks from Diaby. Unless they go with an unusual lineup with fewer DL in the game on passing downs, the opportunities will be fewer. That’s just as well since he was not that effective anyway. The plan is to not rush 5 guys very much so look for Diaby in coverage. Sorry Jose.
July 22nd, 2026 at 3:21 pm
Anyone know if Ira will be doing his weekly spot again on Mad Dog Unleashed during football season?
July 22nd, 2026 at 3:56 pm
I miss Monte Kiffin!!!