Bucs Legend Says Zyon McCollum “Needs To Start Proving You Are Who You Are”
June 3rd, 2026
Tough talk for the Buccaneers’ big-money cornerback.
Rondé Barber knows Zyon McCollum is being paid handsomely. The $16 million that will land in McCollum’s pocket makes him roughly a top-20 cornerback when it comes to annual salary.
It’s hot-seat time for the 27-year-old, a guy oozing with athletic talent.
“This has got to be his year, and that’s not pressure,” Barber said of McCollum on WDAE radio. “He doesn’t need to put any pressure on himself, but just looking at just the reality of his evolution, like this has got to be the year. At some point you need to start proving that you are who you are. And for him, he needs to study himself. He needs to find a way to evaluate himself day in and day out. Go into work every day with the attitude that, ‘I’m getting better. I might get incrementally better in one practice.’ But that’s got to be his attitude the whole team.’
Barber added that McCollum is now “the guy” in a cornerbacks room filled with “second-year guys and a bunch of free agents.” That’s not a status McCollum can escape, Barber said, and and he he needs to step up into that role, as well as produce on the field.
Joe considers McCollum a true wild card. Nobody knows if he’ll snap out of the funk that made him look like a backup during much of last season.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:56 am
it’s not McCollum’s fault JL decided to vastly overpay for his services, like many other draft choices on their second contract. There is no way Zyon was demanding that salary or else. JL could have let him walk or hold out. The middling performance prior to the extension did not indicate the massive increase in salary. What’s foolish is expecting Zyon to live up to the ridiculous contract amount. It’s another example of JL drafting an athlete instead of a productive player.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:59 am
“Check is in the mail” – Michael Clayton
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:05 am
He’s perfect for the extra soft butter, Swiss cheese pass defense that Bowles employs year after year after year.
15 yards off the receiver at all times. Especially on 4th and 14. Genius.
We get to enjoy our guru HC\DC scheme it better and coach it better in 2026.
The players just have to play it better. Simple.
And if not we can use the injury excuse and start the process all over again.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:14 am
Should not be a starter. The Bucs will find out the hard way this season. Jason needs to be looking for veteran CB because at some point in-the season Zyon is going to get bored again. lol.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:34 am
Badbucs Says:
There is no way Zyon was demanding that salary or else.
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I doubt that any GM on any team ever paid a player that the player’s agent wasn’t asking for.
Until last season, Zyon was getting better each year, so many believed that would be true last year as well. GMs, unfortunately, don’t have psychic abilities to see how players will perform in the future.
Had Licht not extended Zyon and instead let him play out his contract year, it could have cost the team much more to resign him had he continued ascending as a player.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:39 am
^^^^^^added to what I wrote above…
It’s easy to play Monday Morning Quarterback and criticize Licht for the decision now. But if Licht let Zyon play out his contract, played at a Pro Bowl level last season, and then demanded even more money to re-sign him, commenters here would be criticizing Licht for not extending him before the season began.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:42 am
Make or break year for him no doubt.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:57 am
I am not a fan sorry. In fact I have been on the band wagon he is a huge liability. I saw enough last year. I don’t know how someone can play as bad as he did last season and now he is expected to be elite?. He was probably one of the worst or the worst cb playing last year. I can’t buy the whole boredom thing. So now he isn’t bored and is going to be an elite cover corner. That sounds like pure denial because you gave him a ton of money or fantasy, maybe some of both. I admit early on I thought he would develop into a great cb. How the eye in the sky as they say don’t lie. My thoughts, he just does not have the passion or he is playing not to get hurt. I guess we will soon see. However I think the Bucs took a huge gamble and don’t want to admit they made a mistake. They need to get an established cb and let McColumn earn his way back to a starting position.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:07 am
He HAS proven who he is!
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
ZM is another “potential” pick by JL that has had flashes over the years, but is not worth the money they pay him. This indeed is his last chance.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:42 am
I think Badbucs point is that there are multiple examples of second contracts being one sided in the players favor. While not to the same degree I would toss Winfield in that category and maybe even Davis.
Of course you’re correct that nobody can see into the future and of course there’s the coaching factor. How much does the coaching staff play in the continued development (or lack-thereof) after he second contract?
I’m a fan of Jason and think he’s a good gm but it does seem that he does over value his own draft picks and can outbid himself at times.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Doesn’t Licht think he gets graded solely on his draft pick’s success? It’s about building a winner on the field however you get there. Trades, FAs, whatever. Build a team and move on from mistakes.
Please bring in veteran CB help. And a bruising RB for short yardage.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Does not doesn’t.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:51 am
I am thinking someone like Keonte Scott will say what needs to be said if loafing and boredom show their ugly faces in the DB room. My question is where was AWJ when all this was happening or is he part of the problem? Maybe Tykee, Parrish and Scott can get the attitudes back on track. It’s obvious the DC cannot do it
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:05 am
“” My question is where was AWJ when all this was happening or is he part of the problem?””
AWJ has been missing for the last 2 yrs.
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:15 am
There was zero reason to extend him early. Trying to save money down the road was not a good reason. His play didn’t warrant it. He shouldn’t have to live up to the contract he was given, but one that he actually earned.
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:26 am
The Broncos clearly had the best team in the AFC last year but they lost their QB, Bo Nix and arguably the best CB in NFL, Pat Surtain II to injuries in the playoffs.
So fans had to watch a blowout in the Super Bowl because of injuries.
Jamel Dean was ranked a top 10 CB last year but the Bucs seemingly let him go in FA because of injuries.
Carlton Davis won a SB with the Bucs and played well with the Lions and Patriots but has an injury history.
The Bucs don’t have $20 million/year to spend on elite CB’s and even if they did- there’s no guarantee they would be healthy in the playoffs
So fans need to root for McCollum.
I’d bet with the improvements on D Line and LB , the secondary will perform better and likely be more aggressive.
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:38 am
Exactly Obvious, thanks. The cap is a valuable commodity. Jason overpays nearly every drafted pet. Top of the market contracts need to be scarce instead of commonplace. We will have little flexibility again next year due to the carefree spending. JL wants to be everybody’s buddy instead of GM. You didn’t play out the other side of that what if scenario 1996. If JL let it ride or at least played it close to the vest we wouldn’t have a 16 mil stone around our neck with room to get a quality free agent, or 2.
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:44 am
Yes, the secondary can be quite a bit more aggressive with a pass rush that is getting home. They can press at the LOS. They can jump known routes. They can attack earlier and not have to automatically be concerned about a potential double move. I expect they will look better even if they aren’t playing a lot better. More turnovers too.
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:55 am
Win or go elsewhere. The Time has come now. No one cares about your potential sherlock.
June 3rd, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Same can be said about AWJ!
June 3rd, 2026 at 12:08 pm
Licht made a bad decision paying this guy. That happens. He made a mistake taking a K in the 2nd round. And many others.
But he’s also made some really good moves. Wirfs. Signing Baker. Signing Tucker undrafted.
But it’s now on McCollum. He needs to play like his ass is on fire. He needs to swarm WRs. Bat down passes. Shove guys at the line. Come on hot and hit the pile when backs are being stopped.
And if he can’t, he can go.
June 3rd, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Is it the Bowles defens or the players have to play it better…make up your mind
June 3rd, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
I’d bet with the improvements on D Line and LB , the secondary will perform better and likely be more aggressive.
==================================================
There have been lots of upgrades in the front 7, and if they stay relatively healthy, it will dramatically help the secondary.
Even for great CBs, it could be very challenging when the QB has time to take a break for lunch before throwing a pass.
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Again, the dumb fans proving who they are. McCollum was injured halfway through the year last year and tried to play through it, eventually he was shutdown because it got worse. Ya’ll need to shut up and give him the benefit of the doubt.
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:23 pm
He’s the Chairman of the Bored… Deeply disturbing behavior.
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Paying DB’s high salaries has worked out very poorly for the Bucs, and I would argue it does for most teams that go down that road.
Of course Bowles will have a sympathetic leaning towards pushing Licht to sign these guys for big money.
Go down the list and every big contract they’ve given a DB over the last X years has been a mistake.
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:51 pm
“Licht made a bad decision paying this guy. That happens. He made a mistake taking a K in the 2nd round. And many others.”
Still talking about the Aguayo pick almost a decade after the fact and an entire Lombardi trophy later. I just can’t with some of you, the milk has spilled, curdled and been mopped up-yet lol
“There was zero reason to extend him early. Trying to save money down the road was not a good reason.”
His rookie deal was up last year, we knew we weren’t bringing Dean back, had a rookie 2nd rounder who played sparingly because of injuries, and another rookie as our new slot CB. So what else was Licht to do when:
Zyon finished 2024 ranked 3rd in PBUs(13), had the 5th lowest completion % allowed(58.4), 9th lowest passer rating when targeted(85.7) while all of this happened in the first year playing strictly at boundary CB in comparison to playing ever single secondary position in ’23.
The average market value of a starting caliber CB in the league is between $16M-$21M. We’re paying McCollum just above that, partly because we know his ceiling is close to elite. We also needed the cap space, which also factored into him getting a bonus as part of his guaranteed money which is also why his cap hit this year is ONLY $5.5M. McCollum bounces back in ’26 to his ’24 level of play, that’s a pretty cheap deal for this year and there’s still a way to restructure that deal to make it cost even less if he does bounce back.
Licht paid him enough to feel valued, but some of that money or the details of his contract is for him to prove himself still. What we invested in, was McCollum potential and as a former 5th rounder he’s kind of exceeded his draft status.
I’d ask the general public here to give me McCollums’ worst game from last year, but ya’ll care more about a damned soundbyte about boredom and using it to yammer on about every other complaint you have which are many.
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Brandon he hasn’t earned that benefit.
It’s all speculation and that is the point.
Kirby Smart doesn’t give NIL deals to newcomers.
You have to prove it, on his team.
McCollum hasn’t proven anything, Licht just realized Dean was leaving.
Probably draft completely different if Zyon was let to leave.
Good thing after KC traded up for Mansoor
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Brandon Says:
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Again, the dumb fans proving who they are. McCollum was injured halfway through the year last year and tried to play through it, eventually he was shutdown because it got worse. Ya’ll need to shut up and give him the benefit of the doubt.
BINGO!!!!!
the injury excuse is ONLY used for baker lol….
GO BUCS!!!!
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:59 pm
BillyBucco Says:
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Brandon he hasn’t earned that benefit.
It’s all speculation and that is the point.
BS!!!!!!!!
Zyon missed time due a hip and thumb injury…we was put on IR….
But yeah, only baker gets the “benefit of the doubt” lol
GO BUCS!!!!
June 3rd, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Bowles has coached the suck into him, hard. As usual.
June 3rd, 2026 at 3:48 pm
It’s not his ability. It’s his heart. He doesn’t have it. He seems to accept getting beat on routes. He doesn’t run to the ball with bad intentions. He doesn’t seem to challenge himself. After seeing Jacob Parrish play with intensity and heart, it’s obvious that Zyon is missing it. If Morrison can show and prove, I would not be surprised if we see him and Jacob starting on the outside. The heck with politics and playing a guy due to his pricetag! This is Zyon’s year to justify his role and financial cost to the team. PERIOD! GO BUCS!!!!
June 3rd, 2026 at 4:27 pm
813bucboi Says:
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:59 pm
BillyBucco Says:
June 3rd, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Brandon he hasn’t earned that benefit.
It’s all speculation and that is the point.
BS!!!!!!!!
Zyon missed time due a hip and thumb injury…we was put on IR….
But yeah, only baker gets the “benefit of the doubt” lol
GO BUCS!!!!
You just couldn’t do it ..you could not get through that post without mentioning Baker lol
June 3rd, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Who says ” Bingo”now a days… yuck
June 3rd, 2026 at 6:33 pm
Didn’t have the injuries until late in the year. The awful play started early and often. I guess the thumb injury helped him not have many interceptions. Could have played with a club wrap without a noticeable difference. No excuse for his play or salary. One of the loafers and quitters. Now made uncuttable and untradeable by the FO. Brilliant.
June 3rd, 2026 at 7:21 pm
How about letting him actually play then – as opposed to just standing around flat footed in zone by design?
How about bringing in Barber to teach Bowles how zone defense is supposed to work – how you can have an active zone that moves with the play, and can tighten down to create tiny passing windows.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:10 pm
Zyon is a baller. But he does have some durability issues. He has to find a way to stay healthy.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:41 pm
Which Bucs outside corner has been great in Bowles system?
The secondary is a mess every single year. Bottom 10 pass defense almost every single season, and thats not because there hasnt been talented players back there.
June 4th, 2026 at 7:43 am
Mac Hollins dogged him…I will never look at dude the same…Mac Hollins is a bubble player at best and a back up not even starter material lol
June 4th, 2026 at 8:28 am
100% agree Rod Munch.
You’d think he would have figured this out on his own by now.
June 4th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
I hate to say It but when ppl saw LVD loafing an the whole defense just shut down I think this whole team will impress people this year they really have talent all over every level and the depth is way better then ever before
June 6th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Hey Dude…Friendly nudge here. When a Ronde Barber calls you out it is time to listen and stop make lame excuses. This is your job now and you are one of he few people on the planet who get to live out their dream.
Go Bucs!