TAMPA, Fla. -- Big changes are coming to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense in 2019. After nearly 30 years of being a predominantly 4-3 defense, the Bucs are expected to use a hybrid 3-4 base defense (three defensive linemen, four linebackers) under new head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
Arians said last week during his introductory news conference that the Bucs would "adapt to what the players do best," and Bowles agreed. The former New York Jets head coach said he had not had a chance to view the Bucs' game tape, but he noted he had spent half of his career coaching a 3-4 defensive scheme and the other half a 4-3 scheme.