The Forgotten Receiver Impresses His Head Coach
August 7th, 2025
Overshadowed.
Bucs receivers this past offseason have gotten a lot of run. And that has really amped up in training camp.
Mike Evans is a Hall of Famer. Some day. He gets run just by being Mike.
Then there is Chris Godwin. No one outside of One Buc Palace knows his progress or when he can just get on a side field and do some running, so he gets a lot of run.
And rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka has been the star of training camp. And it seems Egbuka is the talk of the town.
But what about Jalen McMillan?
With Godwin on the shelf, McMillan is at least the No. 3 receiver. And the way he ended his rookie season balling out with seven touchdowns in the final five regular season games, it’s hard to believe McMillan has been overlooked. But he has.
McMillan entered training camp not just trying to be the same receiver, but better. Bucs coach Todd Bowles said McMillan has learned that he has to attack different cornerbacks in different ways if he expects to get open regularly.
As a result, that has been a huge focus for McMillan: perfecting moves based on the corner he faces on game day.
That has impressed Bowles.
“He’s been working on a lot of different things in camp and we talked about it,” Bowles said. McMillan is “working on his releases, working on snapping out of his routes, doing different things that he can try against certain corners, whether they’re big corners or small corners.”
Bowles said McMillan’s goal for this training camp demonstrates he is committed to being the best he can be.
“That shows the progress and maturity for him, understanding to work on his game,” Bowles said. “He’s not just out there running routes. He’s working on something every play.
“So, from a mental standpoint, I think he’s had a heck of a camp.”
Joe would term McMillan’s camp performance to be solid to good, but maybe McMillan is shafted by who he is playing with.
Evans may be having his best camp. He’s just on a different level. Egbuka is tearing things up. Compared to them, McMillan looks average. But the guy hauls in just about every pass that is thrown his way.
He makes catches while getting both feet down along the sidelines. He makes catches with dudes all over him.
Short passes, long passes, McMillan grabs them all.
Evans and Egbuka have had such good training camps, it’s almost too easy to forget McMillan has been steady Eddie all camp long.
August 7th, 2025 at 6:32 pm
Looking better than CG in his ball cap. Until Chris is suited up, McM is a lock for at least wr3. Not a bad place to be on a roster of aging/injured superstar WRs
August 7th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
We have 2 1s,2 3s & a 2 on our WR corps.
August 7th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
Mike Evans suggested Tez is the receiver he is most excited about in his interview with Kay Adams.
August 7th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
“Solid to good” camp and he catches everything thrown his way!
What are the other guys doing, leaping tall buildings in a single bound?
Watched the reruns as a kid. Became very confused when the intro guy exclaimed, “able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.”
Me: “Hey mom, why would they say Superman could leap tall buildings in a single bound when he can fly? Why leap when you can fly?”
Mom: “Stop asking questions and finish your dinner!”
I still don’t know!
August 7th, 2025 at 7:16 pm
Superman didn’t fly when originally introduced in 1939. That came later. That description was used in the comics until he was shown flying regularly.
August 7th, 2025 at 7:47 pm
Man our WR room is loaded!
Can’t wait to see the fireworks on offense this year.
August 7th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
I’ve thought all along that J-Mac was WR2.
Articles and press seem to gravitate towards new players and lots of smoke gets blown their way but J-Mac has done nothing but improve and excel since he’s been here. He’s produced and helped us win ballgames.
August 7th, 2025 at 8:10 pm
You got to love the planning of a good transition in the WR room. We are preparing the our next studs with Emeka and Jalen. By the time Evans and Godwin retires they will be playing at a high level.
I love what our scout department is doing.
LFG!!!!!!
August 7th, 2025 at 9:19 pm
J-Mac has the talent for sure. He and his mentor Shep, make too many bonehead penalties. C’mon guys, smarten up! We need you guys to play well!
August 7th, 2025 at 10:44 pm
What is Jim bob even talking about? Too many penalties? Cannot remember a single crushing penalty from all of last season. Just making stuff up. Weirdo.
August 7th, 2025 at 11:01 pm
That fire power at receiver mixed with tight ends (I think Culp is gonna be a stud) and RB’s that can catch too?!! Should be exciting. Nice change of pace from when we used to think anything over 16 points was high scoring
August 8th, 2025 at 4:16 am
With so many weapons, I just hope our OC can use them wisely.
August 8th, 2025 at 7:19 am
Buc91, Shep got several personal foul penalties iirc. Only one I can think was a really bad called one on Jmac for his 1st down motion.
August 8th, 2025 at 11:49 am
Good work, Joe. Todd’s interview with Jim and Pat was awesome.
August 8th, 2025 at 1:48 pm
McMillan was really good last year, but he got knocked around quite a bit, I hope he put on a little weight this offseason. But, even if he didn’t, if everyone is healthy he’s a #4 WR – and we saw Adam Humphries tear it up as a #4 WR, and McMillan has a lot more talent.