David Walker made the most of his opportunities against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording two sacks and consistently pressuring Aaron Rodgers despite playing just 35% of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive snaps. His performance was one of the few bright spots in Sunday's 26-19 overtime loss and added to the argument that he deserves a larger role in Todd Bowles' defense.
Walker's limited playing time wasn't the only notable personnel decision. Bucky Irving handled 85% of Tampa Bay's offensive workload, while Kenneth Gainwell received just 15%. Meanwhile, rookies Josiah Trotter, Keionte Scott and Rueben Bain Jr. continued contributing in different defensive roles.
The Buccaneers entered the fourth quarter with a 16-3 lead before Pittsburgh erased
the deficit and won in overtime, dropping Tampa Bay to 1-5. Week 6 snap percentages offer another way to evaluate how the coaching staff used its personnel in the loss.
Buccaneers Week 6 offensive snap percentages
Source: Pro Football Focus. Only players above 85% are shown.
Bucky Irving narrowly missed the chart at 85%, but his workload was one of the most significant offensive numbers. He carried the ball 19 times for 46 yards, averaging 2.4 yards per attempt, while Kenneth Gainwell played just 15% of the snaps and rushed for 17 yards on two carries. With Sean Tucker inactive, Tampa Bay leaned heavily on Irving despite struggling to create running lanes against Pittsburgh.
Irving's responsibilities extended beyond rushing attempts. He handled substantially more receiving routes and pass-protection assignments than Gainwell, leaving little opportunity for the veteran to contribute. Gainwell's limited touches don't prove a different rotation would have improved the offense, but Tampa Bay had few answers for Pittsburgh's defense and kept relying on the same approach.
Godwin led Tampa Bay's receivers in playing time at 92%, followed by Egbuka at 86%. Despite playing slightly less, Egbuka caught seven passes for 48 yards and a touchdown on 16 targets. Godwin caught four passes for 37 yards on eight targets. Daniels' inconsistent accuracy limited both receivers' chances to make bigger gains.
Among the other offensive contributors, Ted Hurst III played 50% of the snaps and caught three passes for 40 yards, including two key catches during Tampa Bay's final regulation possession. Tez Johnson played 34%, while Payne Durham handled 32%. Bauer Sharp appeared on just 5% of the offensive snaps but caught his only target for 21 yards, one of Tampa Bay's longest completions.
Cade Otton played every offensive snap but caught only one pass for four yards. He took on heavy blocking responsibilities, but Tampa Bay still struggled to handle Pittsburgh's pressure. Daniels was sacked five times for 42 yards, including an 11-yard sack by Jalen Ramsey on fourth down in overtime that ended the game.
Buccaneers Week 6 defensive snap percentages
Source: Pro Football Focus. Only players above 85% are shown.
Josiah Trotter played every defensive snap alongside Alex Anzalone, while Zyon McCollum also remained on the field throughout the game. Tykee Smith, Jacob Parrish and Ifeatu Melifonwu each handled 99% of the workload. With Antoine Winfield Jr. out, Tampa Bay leaned heavily on its defensive backs as Pittsburgh's offense found success late in regulation.
David Walker's 35% share stands out among the rotational defenders. He recorded two sacks and five pressures against Rodgers, including a nine-yard sack late in the fourth quarter that forced Pittsburgh into a 58-yard field goal attempt. Through Week 6, Walker has recorded four sacks and 14 pressures, according to PFF, strengthening his case for additional pass-rushing opportunities.
Yaya Diaby led the edge rotation at 59%, followed by Rueben Bain Jr. at 38% and Al-Quadin Muhammad at 27%. Bain recorded his first NFL sack, while Keionte Scott played 66% of defensive snaps and added a sack. Scott's ability to blitz provides Bowles with another option when designing pressure packages.
Along the defensive line, Vita Vea played 84%, and Calijah Kancey handled 70%. A'Shawn Robinson played 37% and intercepted Rodgers, helping the defense hold Pittsburgh to three points through three quarters. Christian Rozeboom played 32%, providing depth behind Trotter and Anzalone and playing mostly in three-linebacker sets.
Tampa Bay finished with five sacks and an interception, but its defense struggled to finish the game. The Steelers repeatedly found success with shorter passes and runs before completing a 12-play, 70-yard overtime touchdown drive.
Walker continues disrupting opposing quarterbacks without receiving a substantial share of defensive snaps, while Tampa Bay's offense relies heavily on Irving despite struggling to establish a consistent rushing attack.
Expanding Walker's pass-rushing opportunities and finding more ways to involve Gainwell won't automatically solve the Buccaneers' problems. However, both are reasonable adjustments for a coaching staff trying to get more production from a team that has fallen to 1-5.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers Week 6 snap counts: David Walker deserves more snaps
