Bucs pass rush gets encouraging boost from former first-round pick
· Yahoo Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been waiting for their defensive line to consistently create disruption, and Calijah Kancey's performance against the Chicago Bears was an encouraging sign of what the former first-round pick can bring when he gets going. While Tampa Bay ultimately fell 27-24, Kancey was one of the defensive players who made life difficult for Caleb Williams, helping fuel a defensive performance that produced five turnovers. Kancey finished with three tackles and half a sack, but the numbers don't tell the whole story. His quickness and ability to penetrate the interior created problems for Chicago's offensive line, particularly as the game progressed. Kancey was consistently applying pressure and helped disrupt Williams' rhythm in the second half. After Chicago opened the game with two touchdown drives, Tampa Bay's defense settled in and made it increasingly difficult for Ben Johnson's offense to operate comfortably.
That is the type of impact the Buccaneers need from Kancey. His explosiveness off the snap has always been one of his biggest strengths, and his ability to attack gaps adds a different dimension to Tampa Bay's interior. At 6'1 and 281 pounds, he may not overpower every offensive lineman, but his first-step quickness and ability to get into the backfield can force quarterbacks off their intended spot. Kancey's development is particularly important as Tampa Bay looks for more consistency from its pass rush. He recorded 7.5 sacks in just 12 games during the 2024 season, showing the production he can deliver when healthy. After an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, getting him back to a meaningful level of disruption is a major positive for this defense.
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This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs pass rush gets encouraging boost from former first-round pick