Reuben Bain Relishes His Freedom
August 3rd, 2026
A lot of fans are wondering how Rueben Bain will be used by Todd Bowles and how he might be restricted.
Bain spoke to local media today after practice noted how he is calling his own shots.
Todd Bowles, as a defense-first head coach, is Bain’s kind of coach, he said.
“It’s fun because I know I can get away with a little bit more stuff than the offensive guys in practice,” Bain said. “Other than that, it’s what you want, because to me, similar to [Bowles], in college, [Miami Hurricanes head] Coach [Mario] Cristobal was a guy for the trenches, so coming up to the league now, [I’ve] got a guy that is for the defense.
“I can play as hard as I want to, do as much as I want, and really connect with Coach Bowles on a different level – because one, he’s on the same side as me, so [he’s] got that point of view and that same experience as me, and two, he’s just going to let me play how I want to play.”
Joe has seen Bain line up with two hands in the dirt at training camp, as well as rushing the passer from a standup position.
Could it be that Bain ends up telling Bowles he doesn’t want to drop in coverage and Bowles capitulates? Maybe, just maybe, Bain will have all the freedom he wants to be Miami Mauler edge rusher he was in college.
Bowles talked on NFL Network yesterday about how much he respects Bain’s preparation, approach and smarts, and how he only knows how to play hard.
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:43 pm
I think it is smart to let Bain call his own shot, he is on a different level than any other edge rook we have gotten.
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:48 pm
Well it seems like most quarterbacks in the league don’t have much trouble figuring out what Bowles is going to do, so maybe giving this guy a little freedom will add some unpredictability to the defense.
August 3rd, 2026 at 7:55 pm
Jose, someone has to drop into coverage.
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:09 pm
From what I’ve been reading on this and other sites, look out for David Walker. He, too, seems to be everything the Bucs were hoping he would be as a pass rusher.
It may be Diaby who ends up in the rotational role. If that’s the case, you know the Bucs had a serious upgrade with their pass rush this season.
It also may mean that Diaby could be be the odd man out when it comes to which of the big five the Bucs decide to extend. From what I understand, he’ll be looking for a contract on the north side of $20 million per year.
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:09 pm
I was looking at that photo, and thinking, who in the world does he look like? He reminds me of someone from the 70s or 80s, but I couldn’t put my finger on it so I asked AI… and it said…
George Jefferson.
I was like, what you talking about Willis… but then it showed a photo, and OMG… He does look like a beefed up George Jefferson.
Don’t blame me, blame the AI.
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Scott McKirahan Says:
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:09 pm
From what I’ve been reading on this and other sites, look out for David Walker. He, too, seems to be everything the Bucs were hoping he would be as a pass rusher.
It may be Diaby who ends up in the rotational role.
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I liked when we got Walker, it was a bit of a risk, but for a 4th rounder, it was well worth it. But come on… he’s going to walk in and take Yaya’s spot – our best pass rusher (with Kancey out) by far? I mean leaps and leaps and leaps our best pass rusher. LOL!
Anywho, I hope you’re right since it would mean the Bucs found a couple of 10+ sack rookies (basically).
August 3rd, 2026 at 8:40 pm
“Could it be that Bain ends up telling Bowles he doesn’t want to drop in coverage and Bowles capitulates? Maybe, just maybe, Bain will have all the freedom he wants to be Miami Mauler edge rusher he was in college.”
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No that could not be.
He’ll drop into occasional shallow zones to free up free runners to the QB.
He’ll also sometimes eat up blocks on stunts to free someone else.
He WILL rush the passer more exclusively if we get a 4 man rotation that gets home consistently!
I’m personally looking forward to 4 man pressure AND Todd’s blitz package this year…
Anzolone Trotter SVD Tykee AWJ Parrish Scott are all strip sacks waiting to happen.
Bain is going to get his and be a monster on run downs too 👍🏼
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Munch said – “I liked when we got Walker, it was a bit of a risk, but for a 4th rounder, it was well worth it. But come on… he’s going to walk in and take Yaya’s spot – our best pass rusher (with Kancey out) by far? I mean leaps and leaps and leaps our best pass rusher. LOL!
My goodness, as good as Diaby has been applying pressure, he has hardly been a sack king, averaging around six sacks per season. Two and a half sacks more than Vita Vea in 2025 is hardly “by far” better and certainly not what someone expects from an elite edge rusher. I like Diaby a lot for many other reasons, though.
I hope I am right, as well, but knowing Bowles, he is going to stick with what/who he knows for a major part of the season – sort of like how Bucky didn’t really overtake White as the starter until two thirds of the season was over in 2024.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:04 pm
I’m pretty sure Bain means he has freedom to rush the passer any way he wants. I can’t possibly imagine him not having to make sure he handles his responsibilities. Especially with mobile QBs.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:11 pm
He looks nothing like George Jefferson.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:11 pm
I think Bowles will even allow Bain to play DB.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:25 pm
Bain looks like ’80s Ray Parker, Jr of “Who you gonna call?” fame 🚫
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:29 pm
Let’s pray Boweles lets Bain do his thing.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:31 pm
Todd as much as SAID, in the past, that dropping these guys into coverage (in the flat) was because they couldn’t get to the QB ANYway
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:32 pm
1987
Agreed.
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:39 pm
Rod Munch
Yaphet Kotto’s Pictures during the 80’s is pretty close.
He was in a Bond movie, descended from royalty and was a pretty good actor
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Munchesbythebunches says Bain looks like George Jefferson. Hahahaha! Except George has longer arms. Hahahaha.
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:00 pm
Bowles will find a way to limit Bain. It’s his superpower.
Those are historical facts that cannot be shouted down.
8-9 doesn’t happen on its own after being 5-1.
That takes a defensive guru. I give you Todd Bowles.
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:02 pm
Unc needs to shave his head.
Looking like ME13 hair fade
August 3rd, 2026 at 10:24 pm
Buc1987 Says:
August 3rd, 2026 at 9:11 pm
He looks nothing like George Jefferson.
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Thats what I told the AI, but then it showed the pictures side by side, from the same angle – and I’ll be damned. They have the same receding hairline, the same type of hair, the same mustache. It’s uncanny if you line up the shots. Wasn’t a put down, just found it funny since I wasn’t expecting that answer.
August 3rd, 2026 at 11:31 pm
Watch, somehow this guy is going to have a few interceptions this year because he’ll freelance somehow into a spot and we’ll roast the hell out of Bowles anyways for it.
August 3rd, 2026 at 11:39 pm
Bain is going to be begging to be released from covering fast players in the flats since nobody knows they’re supposed to be there to take over for him which is quite stupid in the first place. Why have your top rookie standing around in the flat with no one to tackle when the play goes in the opposite direction? He was drafted to tackle tackle tackle qbs and anyone with the ball. He’s already experienced the toilet bowl defense in practice it’s gonna get worse in games
August 4th, 2026 at 12:38 am
Rod Munch Says:
I was looking at that photo, and thinking, who in the world does he look like? He reminds me of someone from the 70s or 80s, but I couldn’t put my finger on it so I asked AI… and it said…
George Jefferson.
****************************
I took the face shot from this article and asked Google’s AI who it was and it came back with this:
“AI Overview
This image shows professional football player Malik Willis, a quarterback who has played for the Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, and Miami Dolphins.”
AI has some work to do, lol.
August 4th, 2026 at 1:04 am
Baker fan, bullseye with the Yaphet koto. That’s who he’s been reminding me of too and I couldn’t put my finger on it.
August 4th, 2026 at 1:11 am
So far, he’s Kenny Bell II
August 4th, 2026 at 3:37 am
how is he doing against nfl lineman at training camp? i feel like if he was standing out there would be an article about that or maybe i missed it?
August 4th, 2026 at 6:44 am
Best I recall, George Jefferson was pretty successful going about his business. Movin’ on up, Bucs.