The Bucs have rebuilt their defense for the 2026 season. In the 2026 NFL Draft, they landed guys who are expected to be day one starters, such as Rueben Bain JR., Josiah Trotter, and Keionte Scott. The defense has had a lot of youth infused into its core over the last two draft cycles, but they also need veterans to reach the level that is expected.

One of those players is Calijah Kancey. Todd Bowles needs his defensive line to set the tone for the players behind it, and a top-level Kancey helps achieve that. He spoke to the media recently about returning at the end of last year despite suffering a torn pectoral muscle, and he has his eyes set on a big 2026.

Kancey explains, "Football is all I know, it's all I've been taught. I've been playing football since I was four years old, so whether it's an injury or if I can return or I can't, I'm going to do whatever to try and get back on the field. That was my whole goal. [For me], just being able to put on my helmet and go out there and ball with my brothers, whether we got the win or not, I just wanted to show them I'm here for y'all. I eat, sleep, everything, I live football [and it] lives through me. That was just me showing my love for them and how much they mean to me. That's what it was about."

Kancey is working on a defensive line that is made up of Vita Vea and the aforementioned Bain now. If they all hit their stride the way analysts expect, the Bucs could be cooking with gas in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The Bucs could use a healthy Calijah Kancey next season