Even though we’re still a few weeks away from the start of the 2025 season, it’s always fun to look ahead. Tampa Bay upgraded their pass rush this summer, but Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine believes they could be in the market for yet another free agent pass rusher during the 2026 offseason.
Veteran Haason Reddick Was Bucs’ One Major Offseason Addition at Edge Rusher
The Bucs haven’t necessarily invested heavily at the edge rusher position over the past few months. They brought in veteran Haason Reddick, but there’s no guarantee that will fix their issues.
While injuries derailed their plans last season, the main issues stemmed from their defensive backfield. Safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead only played a total of seven games together. Head coach Todd Bowles loves to blitz, but without effective backend coverage, the impact of the blitz is somewhat nullified.
Hopefully, their additions on the backend will enable them to generate more pressure up front. But, it will likely take another rusher to make that happen. While they’re running out of time for 2025, Ballentine believes they may have better luck with a young edge rusher like Boye Mafe next offseason.
The Buccaneers blitzed almost 100 more times than the Seahawks last season, but Seattle actually generated a higher pressure rate than Tampa Bay. Mafe played a key role in making that happen, as he finished second on the team in tackles for loss (8) and third in sacks (6). He also recorded a team-leading nine sacks and 16 tackles for loss in 2023.
Boye Mafe Could Thrive in Todd Bowles’ System
Back in May, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder compiled a list of every roster’s “best-kept secret” entering OTAs. At that point in the offseason, Mafe was still flying under the radar. But, if he can put together another solid campaign, Ballentine believes that the Bucs should eagerly pursue Mafe next offseason.
“Not only is he a strong edge-setter against the run, but he also had a strong 16.2 percent pressure rate,” Ballentine wrote. “Playing in Mike Macdonald’s system requires versatility and Mafe’s ability to play different roles would also make him a good fit with Bowles.”
Unfortunately for the Seahawks, Mafe may play himself into too big of a payday. It’s an unfortunate reality of the business of football, but it would open up a door for the Bucs to pursue a much-needed piece for their pass rush.
Back in May, Russell Baxter of Sports Illustrated highlighted Mafe as a “criminally underrated” piece of the Seahawks defense.
“All told, Mafe is far more than a one-dimensional player, and if he continues to impress as he has these past two seasons, he will certainly no longer be one of the Seahawks’ or one of the league’s best kept secrets,” Baxter wrote back in May.
The former second-round pick may run into an issue regarding playing time, given Seattle’s current lineup of edge rushers. Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall and DeMarcus Lawrence occupy the edge for the Seahawks, so it’s difficult to see a future for Mafe in Seattle.
If he does become available this offseason, the Bucs should seriously consider pursuing Mafe to beef up their pass rush.
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