Home NFL The Buccaneers Just Got The Blueprint For A Yaya Diaby Extension

Buccaneers Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby / via buccaneers.com

The Buccaneers Just Got The Blueprint For A Yaya Diaby Extension

June 7, 2026

This week the Pittsburgh Steelers gave a contract extension to edge rusher Nick Herbig. This extension comes as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. His new deal was reported to be for 4 years and $100 million.

So why is this relevant from a Tampa Bay Buccaneers perspective? Because they also have a young edge rusher entering the final year of his rookie contract who needs an extension. Of course that would be starting edge Yaya Diaby.

This leads to the natural question as to if this will affect Diaby’s potential extension or not. Frankly, I believe it could project as a nice baseline to compare to. In short, the Buccaneers just got the blueprint for a Diaby extension.

Here’s Why

Diaby and Herbig have some similarities. Both have been similarly productive, Diaby with 19.0 sacks and Herbig with 16.0 sacks, over their first three years. However, beyond raw sack totals, Diaby has been more productive.

In terms of tackles, Diaby has had 142 in three years compared to Herbig’s 79. In tackles for loss, Diaby has outshined Herbig by the tune of 38 to 23. So you might be thinking at this point that Diaby should be getting more on his next contract than Herbig.

However, there is a context that needs to be added to this equation.

To this point in his career, Herbig has been a rotation player where Diaby has been a starter. And you may think that this only emphasizes that Diaby is the superior player, you might want to hit the brakes on that assumption.

While Diaby was competing with Haason Reddick and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka for playing time, Herbig was competing with TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith who are one of the better edge rushers duos in the NFL in recent years. This is the biggest reason for their disparity in production.

Perspective

For perspective, over the last three years Diaby has played 2,083 defensive snaps. Herbig has only played 1,216. So naturally, Diaby should have better counting stats.

When you really compare how often these two make plays, Herbig got a tackle for loss every 52 plays and Diaby got one every 54 plays. In terms of tackles, Herbig made one every 15 snaps and Diaby made one every 14. So much closer on a snap to snap basis.

However, this does mean that Herbig was much more productive in terms of how often he got sacks compared to Diaby. On the other hand, there is something to be said about situations, considering the talent taking pressure off each of these players and situational rushing vs playing three downs. This can balance the scales for Diaby to a degree.

When you really tally it all up, both are valuable players who will probably carry a similar price tag. Both have been near mirror images in terms of production, with Herbig being a more productive pass rusher and Diaby carrying more weight on his shoulders overall.

So don’t be surprised if the two come in at a similar price tag when the Buccaneers inevitably re-sign Yaya Diaby.

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