David Walker led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week Six with 2.0 sacks, five tackles, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits at Raymod James Stadium. His two sacks marked the first multi-sack game by a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player since Anthony Nelson recorded 2.0 sacks at New Orleans in 2025. Walker also became the first Tampa Bay Buccaneers player since Devin White against Seattle in Munich, Germany, in 2022, to record at least five tackles, three quarterback hits and 2.0 sacks in one game.
The defensive unit adjusted to Aaron Rodgers’ 3-4-second hard count as the game progressed. Walker’s production helped Tampa Bay pressure the Pittsburgh Steelers and push them behind the sticks. His performance gave the Buccaneers a major contribution from a second-year outside linebacker whose snap count has increased each week.
Walker used film study to attack the Steelers
Walker studied opposing tackles’ tendencies before the game, including how they sat, punched and responded to speed rushers. He used those observations to prepare for the techniques he would see during the game. That preparation helped him identify opportunities on both of his sacks.
On the first sack, Walker recognized a jumpset and took the inside path after receiving guidance from the coaches on the sideline. On the second, he used a double swipe, bent the corner and stayed tight as pressure developed in the gap. Walker explained how both plays unfolded against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection.
“The first sack, our coaches on the sideline knew that they were jumpsetting me and he was like, ‘If you get the go with the inside, take it,'” described Walker. “I saw that it was a play-action and I saw that Aaron Rodgers did not hand the ball off so I got upfield a little bit and I quickly swiped inside his hand and I was like, ‘Oh snap, he is standing right there.’ I got the first sack and then the second, he [the tackle] was shooting his hand at me all day and jumpsetting me and I just knew that I had to use speed, because we had a pressure coming in that gap so I just double-swiped, bent the corner and tried to stay tight and then Rodgers was there again.”
Walker reaches notable early-season sack mark
Walker has 4.0 sacks through the first six games of the season. That total ranks third among Tampa Bay Buccaneers players through their first six career games within one season since at least 1982. Only Santana Dotson, with 7.0 sacks in 1992, and Eric Curry, with 5.0 sacks in 1993, had more during that period.
Walker has moved into Tampa Bay’s main defensive rotation as his snap count has increased each week. The second-year outside linebacker has diversified his rush approach with quickness and strength. His role has expanded alongside his production through six games.
Walker credited Todd Bowles and the coordination of Tampa Bay’s defensive linemen for the group’s success. He said the defense has emphasized shared responsibility while each player works to win his individual matchup. Walker described that approach as “four equals one.”
“Coach [Todd Bowles] is putting us in the right position and I’m just trying to win my one-on-ones whenever I get in,” said Walker. “And the team, as a D-Line, we just work together. We call it four equals one and that’s what’s been giving us all success.”
FSB Take
Walker provided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a team-high 2.0 sacks while contributing five tackles, two tackles for loss and three quarterback hits against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His performance also placed him in two notable Tampa Bay statistical comparisons, including the team’s first qualifying game in that category since Devin White in 2022. The increased snap count and continued film preparation are verified parts of Walker’s expanding role.
Source: Original report