The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed veteran defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson to add toughness, versatility, and experience to an already talented defensive front. After spending the past two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Robinson believes he has landed in an ideal situation.
Speaking with reporters following offseason workouts, the 10-year veteran explained why he views Todd Bowles’ aggressive defensive system as one of the best fits of his NFL career.
“I’ve played in a lot of defenses, and I’ve played in a lot of different spots,” Robinson said. “This defense is complex but it’s also a defense that you want to be in if you’re a defensive lineman. You’re going to be aggressive; you’re going to put offensive linemen in certain binds. It’s going to let you be active according to the system that we’re playing.”
That versatility is one of the primary reasons Tampa Bay targeted Robinson in free agency. The Buccaneers already feature one of the NFL’s most disruptive interior defensive line tandems in Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey. Robinson provides another experienced option capable of lining up across multiple positions along the defensive front.
“I can be anywhere,” Robinson said. “I can be on the edge, in the nose, in the three, in a nine. I could be literally anywhere. That’s what makes it fun knowing your strengths in those certain things that he’s calling.”
Robinson’s production over the past two seasons suggests he still has plenty left to offer.
In 2024, he delivered arguably the best season of his career while helping Carolina navigate the loss of standout defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Robinson recorded a career-high 80 tackles and added 5.5 sacks while serving as a cornerstone of the Panthers’ defensive front.He followed that performance with 65 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2025.
The former second-round pick has appeared in 143 career games with the Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, and Panthers, making 106 starts. Over that span, Robinson has accumulated 500 tackles, 37 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, six forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries. His résumé also includes a Super Bowl championship with the Rams following the 2021 season. Since entering the NFL in 2016, Robinson ranks among the league leaders in tackles by a defensive lineman, a testament to both his durability and consistency. For Tampa Bay, the addition is about more than statistics.
Bowles values defensive linemen who can align at multiple spots and create matchup problems. Robinson’s combination of power, experience, and positional flexibility allows him to play in both one-gap and two-gap concepts while complementing the skill sets of Vea and Kancey.
As the Buccaneers look to remain among the NFC’s top contenders, Robinson believes Bowles’ scheme will allow him to showcase every aspect of his game. And if his early impressions are any indication, the veteran expects to be far more than just a rotational addition to Tampa Bay’s defensive front.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Buccaneers newcomer is eager to thrive in an aggressive scheme
Reporting by Glenn Erby , Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
