Late Bloomer Rakeem Nuñez-Roches
August 10th, 2026
Joe askes Nacho an important question.
Is it possible for a 33-year-old defensive tackle to be on the rise? Vita Vea seems to think so, as does Buccaneers DT Rakeem “Nacho” Nuñez-Roches.
After practice yesterday, Nacho, held a news conference and fielded a couple of quesstions about other players on the roster.
Joe jumped in to ask Nacho about, well, Nacho, a Super Bowl champ with the Bucs during the glorious 2020 season. He left Tampa Bay for the Giants in free agency after the 2022 season when the Bucs had hoped to keep him.
Three years later, he’s back. Nacho, what about you; do you feel like the player you were a few years ago?
“Man, I feel like my game is like it was last year. My most sacks, my most get-offs, you know what I’m saying, explosive,” Nacho said. “I still feel powerful. But yeah, I don’t want to talk about the age, but, yeah, I still feel like I can do what I do. Yes, sir.”
Asked what prompted an improved season in New York (3 sacks in 9 games), Nacho said he simply blossomed.
“I feel like it all just came together,” Nacho said. “Just between my run technique, the things that I learned over my course of time with [New York Giants Defensive Line Coach Andre Patterson], as far as the pass rush, just looking at it differently. Even the things that Dexter Lawrence used to tell me about weight distribution of the shoulders. It just felt like in that last season, it all was just slowing down for me.”
That sounds pretty, but Nacho still signed what a veteran minimum kind of contract with the Bucs about three weeks into free agency, and not much of it was guaranteed.
Simply stated: Joe expects little from Nacho other than being a great teammate and playing tough against the run when he gets a handful of snaps. Joe might be more encouraged if Nacho dominates in preseason against guards and centers destined to be moving mattresses or enrolling in grade school next month.
Joe always will be grateful to Nacho for starting 11 games in 2020 for injured Vita Vea — and the Bucs’ suffocating run defense did not miss a beat.
August 10th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
he is a reliable plug and play
August 10th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
What happens when a team just played out tell a player this is it. We’re paying you this year but we don’t wanna pay beyond this year-u making a 2 million a year. to be gone after this year. Why is it such a problem for the players? Yes they want guaranteed to. Too bad we all do -not feeling bad for a guy making 18 mil this year
August 10th, 2026 at 7:02 pm
I always liked Nacho. I’m glad he’s back.
August 10th, 2026 at 7:14 pm
Joe a said:
….starting 11 games in 2020 for injured Vita Vea — and the Bucs’ suffocating run defense did not miss a beat.
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Perhaps that’s why the Bucs are not blinking at Vea’s contract and trade demands.
August 10th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
A wake up call for VV? None of Vita’s money for this year is guaranteed. If he doesn’t play he doesn’t get paid.
August 10th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
Robinson, Nacho and the rookie are why we are not flinching in Vea – we have a 3 deep NT rotation without him
August 10th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
Wait until a team is desperate for a washed up DT. Then trade Jaba the Hut.
We can go 7-10 without him.
August 10th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
Love this player. Todd will make him shine brighter.
August 10th, 2026 at 9:45 pm
“Simply stated: Joe expects little from Nacho other than being a great teammate and playing tough against the run when he gets a handful of snaps.”
That’s just cold and undeserved.
Get ready to be surprised. This guy will have a monster year.
August 10th, 2026 at 10:42 pm
If the players he’s facing are going to be enrolling in “grade school” once preseason ends, think they’re going to need bigger chairs lol
August 10th, 2026 at 10:55 pm
He’s nacho dad’s defensive tackle. Heh. O wait. He is.
August 10th, 2026 at 11:44 pm
BRING BACK DESMOND WATSON! Get him running now so he can lose his 500 lbs. & then he’d be ready to play.