Bucs new special teams coach could be the key to handle Myles Garrett

Could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers already have a secret weapon when it comes to preparing for Myles Garrett?

The answer may not be found in the offensive line room or even on the defensive coaching staff. Instead, it could come from veteran special teams coordinator Danny Smith. When the Buccaneers hired Smith this offseason, they added one of the NFL’s most experienced coaches. While his primary responsibility is special teams, Smith also brings decades of experience coaching in the AFC North, most recently spending 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That lengthy tenure means Smith has seen Garrett as much as almost any coach in the league. Since Garrett entered the NFL as the number one overall pick in 2017, the Steelers faced him twice a year as part of one of the AFC North’s fiercest rivalries. Over that span, Pittsburgh devoted countless hours to studying Garrett’s tendencies, pass rush moves, and preferred alignments. Few coaches currently inside the Buccaneers’ building have spent more time preparing for the former Defensive Player of the Year.

Of course, Smith isn’t going to be drawing up pass protection schemes for Tristan Wirfs.

But NFL coaching staffs routinely share information, and Smith’s years of firsthand experience against Garrett could provide valuable insight. What does Garrett do best against certain tackle sets? How has he evolved his pass rush arsenal over the years? What are some of the adjustments opponents have tried when he starts taking over a game? Those are the types of details that can only come from seeing a player repeatedly over multiple seasons.

Fortunately for Tampa Bay, they also employ one of the NFL’s best offensive tackles in Wirfs. Still, when preparing for a player as dominant as Garrett, every bit of information helps. And thanks to Smith’s long run in the AFC North, the Buccaneers may already have someone on staff who knows Garrett better than most.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Danny Smith could be a secret weapon against Myles Garrett in 2026