Emeka Egbuka Says Friendly Rivalry With Jalen McMillan Has Helped Them Both
August 10th, 2025
Emeka Egbuka nearly made a crazy catch Saturday against Tennessee despite getting blasted in the head by a Titans defender.
It may not be too long into the future that the Bucs’ Nos. 1 and 2 receivers will be Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan. But we’re not there yet.
Mike Evans is still around and, hopefully, Chris Godwin will be back sooner rather than later. With Godwin healthy, there may not be a better foursome of receivers in the NFL.
Egbuka and McMillan played last night, mostly in the first quarter, accounting for 46 yards passing and two catches on three targets. Evans had the night off. Godwin is still recovering from the two ankle surgeries.
Egbuka after the game discussed how McMillan has made him a better receiver and he hopes he has helped make McMillan improve.
“We’ve been doing it all [throughout] practice, just feeding off each other, going back and forth – the energy is there,” Egbuka said. “I’ve known him for a while, too. He played for a 7-on-7 team in Washington, where I’m from, so I’ve known him since high school.
“So, to be able to be on the same team as him, we’re just going to push each other every day and try to do this at the highest level that we can.”
Game experience in real regular season games will help Egbuka reach a new level, he hinted. Egbuka said one thing that helped him was the joint practice with Tennessee on Thursday. So imagine what Egbuka will be after a few regular season games.
“The joint practice kind of knocked off some dust and I was able to get my feet underneath me,” Egbuka said.
“So, coming out here for [Saturday night’s] game, I was a little more confident and I knew what I was going into. This preseason, I’m trying to gain momentum, build momentum, get my feet underneath me and learn as much as I can. [I want to just] carry this over and be whatever my team needs from me in the regular season.”
Joe figures Egbuka will learn soon enough that preseason games are basically meant to break a sweat. The real bullets fly Sept. 7 in Atlanta.
Joe’s looking forward to seeing the growth in Egbuka when the playoffs roll around.
August 10th, 2025 at 6:27 am
Why is the logo on helmet smaller? It won’t be like this all season I hope
August 10th, 2025 at 6:52 am
Nice photo Joe. I guess it’s a good thing they didn’t call pass interference (good for the Titans that is).
August 10th, 2025 at 7:46 am
I love Chris Godwin, but let’s be real. The dude is coming off two major injuries. Not to mention, he’s getting older.
We now have two young, capable replacements.
Let’s stop pretending Chris is going to come back and take the beating he once did. Let the kids play and let Chris sit for a while
August 10th, 2025 at 8:47 am
I noticed the logo too…at least it wasn’t as small as the Sapp days…that helmet with the flat non sparkled pewter looks real dull compared to new ones these days
August 10th, 2025 at 9:20 am
Hey Joe, appreciate the CG14 update. I hope he’s giving the younger receivers the scoop on dirty-playing DBs they’ll be facing in the regular season. I hear ya, DR, on that photo. Sure looked like that Titan dude was getting close to a dangerous and dirty facemask grab.
August 10th, 2025 at 9:37 am
The logo looks proportionate to the helmet now. Love the black face masks too.
August 10th, 2025 at 9:51 am
They both made excellent catches on the opening drive.
August 10th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Chris Godwin is a warrior. He will be back sooner rather than later. Buccaneers vs. Ravens in the Super Bowl is a game he relishes. Love the two young receivers.
August 10th, 2025 at 11:05 am
I noticed the smaller logo too on the helmet. Didn’t look great imo
August 10th, 2025 at 12:02 pm
THIS ‘headline’ was my exact thoughts when we drafted him. Well, at least my hopes that it would elevate their’s, and everyone else’s, play! Also, that JMac was NOT going down without a FIGHT! Ya know, let’s not forget that JMac was WR#1(a) on that loaded Washington WR-group. He would’ve almost surely been a ‘first-rounder’ in that LOADED WR-class as well, if not for that injury. That catch he made last night was such a typical, vintage JMac snag. Let’s just hope all of these guys can stay healthy together, and that we can get Chris (and RWhite) back ASAP (along with Wirfs). This is a very strong group of weapons collectively, that all offer a little different skill-set, that they each bring to the table. Just as important… They are real PROS through and through.
August 10th, 2025 at 12:07 pm
Buddha … ‘ Love the two young receivers.’
Ditto that. But I see Todd Bowles with a dilemma: Bucs have several other young receivers who could easily make just about any other NFL team.
Ryan Miller was very impressive last night IMO. Caught the ball in traffic as well as any WR on the Bucs. And going 6-for-7 for 66 yards is nothing to sneeze at. I was surprised to see how big he is: Bucs list him as 6’2″ & 221 lbs.
Garrett Greene did himself proud too, catching 2-for-2 (22 yards). Plus 1 very nice punt return (17 yards). Not bad for a converted QB.
Rakim Jarrett only got 2 opportunities, but he caught 1 for a 13-yard gain. I’d be hard-pressed right now to keep Jarrett though as opposed to Miller or Greene.
August 10th, 2025 at 12:15 pm
I noticed the logo, too! I didn’t like it being so huge. I think this one looked a lot more normal. And, I agree that the ‘originals’ do look awfully dull now!
August 10th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
I thought Joe saw Houston as being the standout among the second tier WRs. Heard he tweaked near the start of the game and so didn’t put much on the tape. Another one who can’t make the club from the tub.
August 10th, 2025 at 8:34 pm
Not sure about “standout.” He’s getting a lot of targets, mostly with the second team. Lot more than Rakim Jarrett. Not sure if that it because Trey Palmer and Tez Johnson are hurt or not.
August 10th, 2025 at 8:40 pm
How did they not throw a flag for the play pictures above crazy pass Interference Let’s Go Emeka This Offense will be so nasty when CG14 gets back