Expanded Role Coming For Tez Johnson
March 28th, 2026
Rookie receiver Tez Johnson was a feel-good story last season, but in the final 8 Bucs games, Johnson had just 9 catches for 67 yards, despite making four starts.
He had a better disappearing act than fellow rookie Emeka Egbuka.
Joe assumes most of this is tied to why head coach Todd Bowles hurled former offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard under the bus.
Now, the Bucs have a new offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson, and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht told the team website that Johnson will be an emerging player in 2026, especially after the loss of Mike Evans.
“Tez, in the role that they’re going to carve out for him, which will expand, is going to be exciting,” Licht said.
Licht also said Egbuka and third-year receiver Jalen McMillan will benefit most from Evans bolting from town. Licht suggested both have what it takes to “become names in this league.”
Joe hopes Johnson also gets a shot to be the Bucs’ returner last season. After a preseason hiccup as a returner, Johnson was iced out of consideration for the job.
March 28th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
The outstretch catch for a long TD was a thing of beauty. Baker was #1 in the MVP rankings at that point
March 28th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Cam needs better shot also
March 28th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Licht also said, Braswell was going to shock the world, how did that turn out? Tez is a great story, however, I’ll believe his expanded role when I see it.
March 28th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
I thought they would rely more on Emeka, Tez, JMac this season
But they still that 6’4 215- guy with soft hands
March 28th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Grizzard is clearly to blame. Dude forgot how to coach aka got figured out aka just sucks after the bye week. No.excuse. he owes egbuka an apology for costing him rookie of the year
March 28th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Kgh
That’s called false logic, it’s not gonna get you far in life
Same as saying- “ It’s really hot in Florida, so it’s never cold”…. Makes no sense…..
March 28th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Didnt Todd say his defense suffered cuz he had a heavy hand on the offense after the bye? Well the guy that orchestrated both disappearances is still steering the ship 🙃
March 28th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
1) Egbuka 2) Godwin 3) McMillan – Tez and Kameron for depth – all nice – some possibilities on the last year’s practice squad – all very nice – I am wondering what it would mean if Sterling Shepard signs with the Rams, maybe on the practice squad, and Baker becomes a FA at the end of the year with no extension – maybe Shepard will resign with the Bucs – so many questions
March 28th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
As a 7th round rookie – Tez earned snaps and showed he belongs – not only in the league – but on the field!
Yea that one TD catch was incredible – it was the type of catch that is not made to completion 95% of the time. But Tez stretched out and squeezed the very back of that ball and brought in for the TD like he was filming a text book clinic for NFL films….
He’s faster than you think and his ‘quickness’ – his ‘cat-likeness’ is elite. Reminds me a bit of AB in that respect…
If our receiving room can stay healthy – i think a rotation of Godwin, Egbuka, McMillan and Tez Johnson is still among the most talented in the league as a group…..
March 28th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
he’s a seventh round pick too small too slow….what do people expect ??
March 28th, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Licht is back at it again
For 5 long depressing years….It was “””Weapons for Jameis””
Now it’s going to be his latest mojo “”Weapons for Baker””
I wouldn’t be surprised if Licht load up on offensive players during this draft
March 28th, 2026 at 4:05 pm
Adding a beast at TE would do wonders for our offense!!!
March 28th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Bowl didn’t throw Grizzard under the bus. His answer to the question was about as gentle and gentlemanly as it could be under the circumstances.
Week after week, I crunched the numbers. And, in similar situations, he failed in similar ways time and again week after week in the second half of the season.
He would call a good mix of run and pass, marching the Bucs down the field for a TD. Then, on the next drive, three passes and a punt. Or, he would get across midfield mixing it up, and then go three passes and a punt following a sack or two. He was predictable enough that teams could sell out betting pass and win on the frequency of the plays he called.
Bowles is right that he had good schemes. But, he needs some kind of virtual reality simulator training to condition him to stick with the scheme when the clock is ticking for real.
Roman generals celebrating a triumphal parade had a slave riding along with them whispering, “This too will pass.” Grizzard needed someone shouting, “Keep mixing it up!”
March 28th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
It’s more like saying, “it’s really hot in Florida, and I also don’t like chihuahuas.”
There’s no logical connection at all.
March 28th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
I am Very anxious to get the first look of him and see if he has thickened up with a bit of man weight!
He has great HANDS and vision.
Never be more than a option… but a very nice option to have.
March 28th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Where did you read weapons for Baker, Lakeland? I wouldn’t put too much stock in it- it could be a huge smokescreen designed to make teams nervous that want a certain tight end or wide receiver and convince them to trade up or even pay a higher price to do so. Or of course he could be targeting offensive players early because #15 only really has value picking offense in the draft unless someone drops….
March 28th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Now this sounds good! would love to watch Tez get an expanded role. Hope it happens!
March 28th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Stpete
I didn’t read that, l know Licht love offensive players
It seems like he loves a strong high scoring offense
That’s just Licht being Licht
March 28th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Don’t ever let Tez return kicks!
He’ll get killed!
Never take that risk!
Ever!
March 28th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Teacherman.. yep !
It’s not the first man to get to him on returns , it’s gonna be the second or third clean up men that will squeak him like a chew toy!
March 28th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
Rookie receiver Tez Johnson was a feel-good story last season, but in the final 8 Bucs games, Johnson had just 9 catches for 67 yards, despite making four starts. He had a better disappearing act than fellow rookie Emeka Egbuka.
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Yeah, that’s what happens when your QB can’t throw the ball accurately more than 4 feet.
March 28th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
I think the Bucs still need a big 6’4” receiver that can out muscle safeties and CBs. Maybe a TE like Culp can play that role..