Former NFL Scout: Rueben Bain Has Won The Offseason
May 26th, 2026
Ex-football suit weighs in.
Does Joe detect a hint of sarcasm here?
Bucs fans are still riding high about how the Miami Mauler, Rueben Bain, fell into the lap of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and the Bucs in last month’s draft at No. 15 overall.
Not everyone seems to be as enamored.
First, NFL types who passed on Bain have spoken off the record why they may have been spooked by Bain.
Now, a former NFL scout typing for GoLongTD.com seems a little skeptical of Bain, if for no other reason than all of the breathless hype coming out of One Buc Palace how Bain dominated rookie minicamp, which forbids any form of hitting or even wearing shoulder pads.
Jim Monos, a former Division-II quarterback and head coach — he also was an executive in the AAF, XFL and UFL and a former Eagles and slimy Saints scout — seems weary of all the missives from One Buc Palace that Bain is the next Ndamukong Suh.
As a result, Monos awarded Bain the “Offseason MVP” award, which seems to have led Monos to be leery of Bain living up to the hype.
Offseason MVP
This time of year brings out the best in football coverage. The draft analysis is over and every team has been graded and celebrated without any actual football being played. Now, we rush to the instant anointing of Hall of Fame and Pro Bowl-type careers from bag drills.
Our easy winner for 2026 as NFL rookie of the year is Rueben Bain. The first round selection has shown incredible pass rush against air. His movement through the bags has never been seen. Assistant coaches are marveling how unblockable he was in college a couple months ago.
Bain is someone I will be studying this fall to see if his college dominance can parallel in the NFL. Creating the character “Bane” face mask fits his style of play. He is brute force with power and effort. The concern is obviously he does not fit the ideal NFL DE size in terms of height, length and speed. Bain is the definition of a “trust the film” player. Can technique, strength and toughness carry over to dominate the NFL or does the lack of length and speed hold Bain back from being a difference maker?
For the Joe typing here, the question is not on Bain, it is on his defensive coordinator. Bain seems like an odd fit in this defense. He certainly is not an outside linebacker, at least not the way KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles uses his outside linebackers.
(Can you envision Bain covering Drake London in pass coverage like YaYa Diaby?)
Bain made his bones as a 43 defensive end. Bowles is not a 43 defense kinda guy and he ain’t changing.
So the ball is in Bowles’ court. Can he develop Bain? Can he use Bain correctly?
If Bowles can develop Bain into a double-digit edge rusher, it will be Bowles’ first such successful edge rushing pupil.
May 26th, 2026 at 7:18 am
When actual practices begin and Bowles witnesses Bain trying to cover Chris Godwin, then certainly the light bulb will come on….won’t it?
May 26th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Excuses for Bowles starting to pile up already. it won’t take much to extinguish that dim bulb.
May 26th, 2026 at 8:06 am
I have been talking about the Putrid Pass Defense that this team has had in recent Bucs seasons with Todd in charge. The issue has truly been the ‘Bane’ of this Team. Well now we have a culture changer named Rueben of the same sound to take us out of our Misery and get off the field on 3rd downs!! Go BUCS!!
May 26th, 2026 at 8:10 am
The loss of Defensive Coach Kacy Rodgers after the 2024 season to the Lions, coupled with the loss of Offensive Coach Liam Coen to the Jaguars were significant factors in the Bucs’ results last year.
May 26th, 2026 at 8:29 am
He developed Shaq Barrett. Why should Bain be any different? Have him do the same things Barrett did and hopefully he gets 19.5 sacks like Barrett did too.
May 26th, 2026 at 8:31 am
“Bain made his bones as a 43 defensive end. Bowles is not a 43 defense kinda guy and he ain’t changing.”
No he’s not changing, and no Bain made his bones in a 4-2-5 which we run plenty of.
“Corey Hetherman was introduced as the third defensive coordinator for the Hurricanes under Cristobal’s watch. Lance Guidry and Hetherman had similar resumes before coming to Miami. Guidry was touted as an “aggressive” defensive coordinator. Hetherman said, “We’ll be aggressive” in his press conference, which has fans excited.
Coach Hetherman arguably inherited the defensive unit of former coordinator Joe Rossi. Hetherman became DC in 2023 at Minnesota. The Gophers were ranked as high as third in the NCAA in the 2021-2022 season, then took a nose dive to No. 50 in 2023 before getting back up to fifth this past season.
As per Matt Shodel, although Guidry and Hetherman run the same 4-2-5 defensive scheme, “he’ll (Hetherman) do whatever suits his personnel and the opponent/game situation.” Shodel infers that Guidry made his defense too complex with multiple reads and responsibilities, while Hetherman sharpens the defense to maximize their talents and abilities.”
May 26th, 2026 at 8:33 am
If Bowles can develop Bain into a double-digit edge rusher, it will be Bowles’ first such successful edge rushing pupil.
Sad, but true.
May 26th, 2026 at 8:43 am
If Joe doesn’t like betting against never, why would you bet in favor of Todd Bowles developing a DE??? Riddle me that!!!
It will NEVER happen. Not even close. Our HC\DC isn’t capable.
Just wait until you see Bain drop into coverage downfield on a WR.
The mindless buffoonery will continue until someone at OBP wakes up to reality.
Do you really want to win? Then you have to fire Todd Bowles. Now!
May 26th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Next year’s D coordinator will know how to use him- so it’s all good.
May 26th, 2026 at 8:58 am
In a way, Bain did win the offseason. Most early first round picks go to lousy teams. He fell to a way above average/very good team that was plagued by injuries last year and dramatically underachieved where he can have an instant impact on and go a long way with. He likely won’t have to suffer through multiple losing seasons before things change!
May 26th, 2026 at 9:03 am
I agree enough talk about nothing really. Let’s wait til the Bucs put on some pads and let the story unfold. Please remember this is a rookie we are talking about. He has not played a down of NFL football
May 26th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Joe … ‘For the Joe typing here, the question is not on Bain, it is on his defensive coordinator. Bain seems like an odd fit in this defense.’
Why do so many, including you Joe, insist on making it about Bowles? Bain is a ROOKIE; why are you making it about an experienced defensive coordinator who’s played and coached the game for FORTY YEARS now?
Yes Todd Bowles is on the hot seat. EVERY NFL HC is on the hot seat virtually every year because they’re one of only 32 men who are functioning as the Chief Operating Officer of a multi-billion dollar corporation. (Those folks are always on the hot seat too).
Rueben Bain has some quality talent to contribute to this defense, but it’d be nice if folks would keep their expectations of him under control. As a ROOKIE he still has to earn a spot. In various game situations, other OLBs like Diaby, Muhammad, Nelson, Walker, Brasswell MAY be better suited to be out there. And the guy who’ll be making those ‘who’ choices is none other than Todd Bowles. Then it’s up to Rueben Bain to take full advantage of the opportunities that are presented. But until the games start in September, none of us have any clue how well he’s gonna respond.
I’m much more fascinated by what this TOTAL defense (all 11 guys) will look like AND how it’ll operate. I’m convinced that there WILL BE CHANGES, and lots of them. My guess is that we’ll have almost 50% NEW STARTERS on defense come Game 1 …
o NT: Vea
o DT: Robinson (* New starter)
o DE: Kancey
o OLB: Diaby
o OLB: Bain (* New starter)
o ILB: Anzalone (* New starter)
o ILB: Trotter (* New starter)
o CB: McCollum
o CB: Morrison (* New starter)
o Safety: Winfield
o Safety: T Smith
Just as fascinating though, Bucs have some quality DEPTH at most positions this season. Not only will that help in terms of injuries, but I’m convinced that Todd Bowles will use most of them to rotate in & out much more frequently than he has in the past to keep starters ‘fresher’ and to keep the ‘subs’ engaged & trained up. There’ll be a lot of changes this year.