Jalen McMillan Has Goals For Fellow Second-Year Bucs

May 28th, 2025

Receiver Jalen McMillan ponders a question.

It seems Jalen McMillan’s goal for himself and his fellow 2024 Bucs draft classmates can be summed up in six words.

Shut up and do your job.

McMillan was asked to state goals and his answer was simple.

“I just want to see us be pros,” McMillan said. “I want to see us lead the younger guys, but just also be a beacon of light towards the older guys.

“Just stay in our lane and make plays.”

Make plays is what McMillan did late last season. McMillan racked up seven touchdowns in his last five games of the regular season. That’s fire.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles noted McMillan should be playing faster this fall because he knows the offense and his route-running is crisper.

If having seven touchdowns in the final five weeks came from a guy who didn’t know the offense or who ran sloppy routes, look out, man.

20 Responses to “Jalen McMillan Has Goals For Fellow Second-Year Bucs”

  1. Vinny from Vermont Says:

    If JMac’s comments reflect his focus and determination as it appears, the competition for the W4 slot should be interesting.

  2. Mike C Says:

    LOCK IN young Bucs, Super bowl or bust!

  3. Fred McNeil Says:

    He seems like he is as focused as they get.

  4. Usfbucs Says:

    Potentially the best WR room in the NFL. Licht has that group set up for years.

  5. SlyPirate Says:

    I wonder if he was shocked by the 1st pick after he had a great season. He sounds locked in. Competition is good for getting the best out of players.

  6. Buc1987 Says:

    There’s only one ball.

  7. Jeebs the Honey Bear Says:

    I love Mike and Chris but they haven’t stayed healthy and they are not getting younger. Both Emeka and JMac will see the field plenty this year either in 3 and 4 WR sets. They will also sub in and potentially (but hopefully not) fill in if there are injuries to Mike or Chris. And when the time comes, I see them being the future WR1 and WR2 for this team, maybe even with Tez as WR3! The present and future looks good in our receiver room! Way to go Licht! LET’S BAKE

  8. Aqualung Says:

    Now, just don’t gag in the season’s most important game. The deer in the headlights act needs to be unseen.

  9. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Remember, McMillan was hurt his senior year at UW. He’s had an entire offseason after a good finish to his rookie year, and enters training camp healthy.

  10. Hunter Says:

    Is the season here yet?!?

  11. BakerFan Says:

    Wish he ran the end around correctly against Washington.

  12. Freddy PA Moxie Says:

    I have full confidence in this WR room. Even if Godwin doesn’t start the season–no rush! ME13, J-Mac, and EE make a solid starting 3. That puts Palmer or Shep at no 4. Don’t forget about Otten–that boy is coming into his own. Don’t forget that Bucky and White can catch with the best of them.

    Again, full confidence in the OFFENSE in general. Just don’t screw it up, men…

  13. Kenton Smith Says:

    Baker fan, he ran that jet sweep incorrectly. But Baker fumbled the ball. Bet both of them will remember that next time.

  14. stpetebucsfan Says:

    The thing I find amazing here is how many guys have NEVER made a mistake.

    Perhaps they’ve never played sports. Admittedly I was a Jack of all trades, master of none, but I was in the Arena and yep made probably more than my share of mistakes.

    Yes you can learn from mistakes but not from dwelling on them!!! It’s time to move on. It’s one of the BEST times of the year. We have the season ahead!
    Last year’s mistakes are done and gone. The record is finished. I’m glad JMac who showed some immaturity last season with some of his reactions had grown up. I think he has talent!

  15. Hodad Says:

    J Mac, like Emeka both come from programs with talented receiver rooms. Licht drafted theses kids because they’re team first players. They also have two of the best to learn from. Can’t imagine any team that can match four corners with our four receivers. Really excited to see this offense.

  16. chris l Says:

    hopefully maturity too. it doesnt get talked about enough but that drop in the first series of the washington playoff game was brutal. that could have set the bucs up to continue that drive for a touchdown.

  17. Cometowin2 Says:

    You know Mike early in his career showed a little immaturity and look what he’s become. Jalen will be fine. I think another WR to replace Mike eventually and this WR room could be set for a decade.

  18. Cometowin2 Says:

    Maybe in 5 years can pick up Tet or Marvin Harrison Jr in their prime in free agency. Everyone wants to play for Tampa!

  19. Buccaneer Bonzai Says:

    Jalen McMillan is Chris Godwin’s true replacement.

    I said last year that Chris may never be the same again. It is not an easy injury to come back from.

    Jalen McMillan proved he can produce last year…and he had a better 5 game streak than any of Godwin’s 5 game samples. He could potentially be better than Godwin ever was.

  20. Obvious Says:

    It’s reasonable to think #14 won’t be available the first few weeks of the season. All the more reason to get EE. But even if CG was ready, they’ll all push each other to get there. The genus of drafting EE is that it should really push JM.

 

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