In its first two years at the NFL level, BUCS’ defensive tackle calayacanthy shows a flash of light that it is the dominant pass rush force. problem? Kansy has not played a full 17-game season yet.
As a rookie, Kansy suffered a calf injury early in training camp. He reclaimed it for the start of the regular season, but soon left his NFL debut after reorganizing that calf injury.
He played 14 games as a rookie, playing a total of four bags and 34 pressure. The previous Pit Panther then added 1.5 sacks and 11 pressure to the two playoff games.
Bucs DT Calijah Kancey and Lions QB Jared Goff – Photo by USA Today
After such a strong finish to his rookie campaign, Kansy looked ready for an even bigger breakout in 2024. He continued it. He missed the first five games of the regular season after injuring another calf on Friday before the team’s regular season opening game.
Despite these five games missing, Kansy is still Leading the team with 7.5 sacks His second season. He notched these 7.5 bags and 39 pressure in 12 games.
In his career between the regular season and the playoffs, Kansy has 13 bags and 85 pressure. The first round pick in 2023 is all about avoiding injuries that early season and fitting in for the full season.
So, what can a healthy Kariya Kansy do in a 17-game full season? The 24-year-old was asked that question Monday afternoon as the Bucs launched an offseason program.
“I think you’re looking at the bag leader [I] To suit all 17 games,” Kansy said.
Are you a Tampa Bay sack leader or a sack leader across the NFL?
“In the league,” he said.
We believe Kariya Kansy will remain healthy for all 17 games in 2025 and he will be able to become the sack leader.
Bucs’ major soccer?
“In the league.” pic.twitter.com/lg48bk9mwh
– PewterReport April 21, 2025
Incidentally, Cincinnati defensive side Trey Hendrickson led the league in sacks with 17.5 last year. So, Kansy will likely need to double the total of at least twice the bags from last year to achieve its lofty goal.
Kariya Kansy, Bucks Defense hopes to “raising the bar” in 2025
Last year, Tampa Bay had a prolific offense that ranked in the top five in almost every category. So, looking at the team’s shortcomings, most of them fell into defence.
That’s what Kariya Kansy and his defensive teammates want to change in 2025.
“We definitely want to raise the bar here,” Kansy said. “Every day, we all want to embrace each other to a higher standard and bring more to the table.
“It’s my third year. I think I’m a coach. [and] My teammates, they want to see more from me as much as I want to see more from myself. That’s exactly where it is. We all lift each other up. We also want to be as good as attacking. ”
Bucs dt Calijah Kancey – Photo: Cliff Welch/Pr
If Tampa Bay’s offense can play at a similar level this year under new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, then it’s not in a flash that if the defense can “raise the bar” in the way Kancy says he’s aiming for, the ceiling for this Bucs team will be much higher.
With more complementary football and better health (including 17 games of full Kariya Kansy), teams may avoid that midseason slump that bothered them in 2023 and 2024, when the team lost four games in each season. Tampa Bay will close out its fifth straight NFC South title earlier than the final Sunday of the regular season.
And maybe it’s going to pass the NFC division round for the first time since the 2020 playoffs I’ll run with Lombardi Trophy No. 3.
