Jalen McMillan Is On Josh Grizzard’s Mind
July 17th, 2025
Most coaches hate being asked to name players they need to step up unless it’s an obvious injury situation.
Rookie Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard appears to be no exception.
Grizzard was cornered today on The Rondé Barber Show on WFLA-TV streaming platforms.
Barber asked Grizzard to pick a player or players he needs to rise up this season and Barber ordered Grizzard not to give him a big name like Mike Evans or Chris Godwin or Bucky Irving.
“Who do you need to play well for your offense to work this year?” Barber asked.
Grizzard paused and said it’s too hard to pick one but Barber pressed for an answer. Grizzard went to second-year receiver Jalen McMillan.
“I think that where [J-Mac] left last season and the progress he showed on and off the field, and you could see that carry over into the spring with not having Chris [Godwin] out there and bringing Emeka [Egbuka] along and him showing Emeka the ropes — then his ability to just do that and be himself and really just take off where he left off, then I think that would be huge if we were just going to actually circle one,” Grizzard said. “But you know how it is, at the end of the day, it takes all 11. And he’s in a good spot.”
Joe assumes the Bucs are looking to McMillan for consistency. He was a typical rookie last season — big highs and big lows. But those highs translated to seven touchdowns in the Bucs’ final five regular season games, a ridiculous total.
Damn, if McMillan can prove to be a steady, sure-handed threat, that would be something. Remember, Trey Palmer, who fell out of favor in the offense last year, caught 39 balls as a rookie in 2023, two more than McMillan last season.
July 17th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
7 TDs in 5 games equates to just shy of 24 TDs in an entire 17 game season. Unlikely that will happen with the other receivers getting many more targets than he will. But wouldn’t it be wild if he produced 10-15 TDs? Fingers crossed. Baker’s got so many dawgs to throw to. Should be a fun season!
July 17th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
I find this interesting. Grizzard seems to have low expectations for Godwin at this point. And why a 2nd yr WR3 showing our 1st pick the ropes. I certainly hope Evans steps up and Godwin limps up during training camp
July 17th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Rachaad White or Sean Tucker. If the only back that produces is Irving, I think the offense will regress.
July 17th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
Just looking at last year’s Catch Percentages of our receivers, it’s obvious that Baker has really raised their level of performance.
o Mike Evans: Caught 67.3% (74 catches – 110 targets) … that’s his best catch percentage EVER. And those 110 targets were the LOWEST number per game ever thrown to him. And interestingly, his 13.6 Yds/Catch was the LOWEST of his career. What allowed Mike to make the 1000 yards was that high catch percentage.
o Chris Godwin: Caught 80.6% (50 catches – 62 targets) … that’s his best catch percentage EVER. Can only imagine what Chris would’ve ended up with if he’d gotten a full season.
o Bucky (90.4%) and Rachaad (89.5%) both stood out as receivers, and so did Sean Tucker (75.0% with only 9 catches in 12 targets). Sean had the highest Yds/Reception average (12.1 YPR) of any of the RBs. Got a hunch they’ll get the ball in his hands more often this year.
o Cade Otton was our 2nd leading receiver (600 yards) with a 67.8% catch percentage (59 catches out of 87 targets). That’s the 2nd most targets on the team (to Mike Evans 110 targets).
o Payne Durham (78.6% with 11 catches in 14 targets) and Devin Culp (83.3% with 5 catches in 6 targets) both did extremely well IMO but got very few chances (20 targets all together?). But 16 catches they got 203 yards total … quite good.
o Rakim Jarrett missed the first 7 games of the year (started off the season on IR) but actually did very well in the limited targets that he got … 81.8% catch percentage (caught 9 of 11 targets for 124 yds). That 13.8 Yds/Reception is the 2nd highest on the team (to Devin Culp’s 17.6 YPR based on his 5 catches). Nice speed at 4.44 sec in the 40, so he might be someone to keep an eye on if he can stay healthy.
o Of course J-Mac really came on towards the end of last season. His catch percentage on the season was just fair (63.8% based on catching 37 out of 58 targets). But in his last 4 games he caught 83.3% (caught 20 of 24 targets), including 2 TDs in the Panthers game. He was definitely on fire.
July 17th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Rachaad White is entering a contract year. Tucker is entering year three. Tucker is very low milage. All three are excellent receivers. I don’t see a regression coming up unless Heck goes to heck.
MacMillen? He needs to strengthen those arms so defenders can’t just rip the ball away and he should be good.
July 17th, 2025 at 2:12 pm
I see you mentioned Devin Culp. I’d sure like to see a a little more of that guy. I don’t think he’ll play a ton in Atlanta because I think we will mostly run all that day. It’s a long season.
July 17th, 2025 at 2:16 pm
Joe, I wonder if Palmer even makes the team this year. Might have to trade him.
July 17th, 2025 at 2:19 pm
JMac is a good 3rd option. Emeka will be a solid 2nd option. Bucs will need to draft a #1 in the next 2 years. Licht is building short and long-term.
July 17th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
Reminds me of Keenan McCardelll….very crafty player, not the biggest but very productive and reliable.
July 17th, 2025 at 2:46 pm
J-Mac needs to be more consistent and get stronger. As Fred mentioned, J-Mac had a TD pass stripped from his hands and gave up a pick. He also had some drops, and at least one was a pick. J-Mac seems to run good routes, but makes some bone-headed plays like his mentor Shepherd.
The Bucs really need a speedy receiver who can create a deep-threat fear for the D. On paper, Palmer’s speed should fit that need, but we all know Palmer really needs to ball to make the team. I hope he make a big jump this offseason but I don’t see it happening. Maybe a practice squad guy?
July 17th, 2025 at 3:06 pm
Until further notice J-Mac is WR #2 @ least that’s how I see it.
Chris is a complete unknown from a health and recovery perspective.
EE needs to get in line and earn his spot (which I’m confident he’ll do).
Healthy competition between J and EE will be good for everyone. They’re both hungry, talented, and young, and seem to have great attitudes.
I’m hoping to see Tez make the cut and contribute on offense too but it’s not going to be easy with the talent we already have.
Let’s go Grizz
July 17th, 2025 at 3:06 pm
With Tristan Wirfs out Baker will likely never get to his 2nd or 3rd read each pass play. He’ll be running for his life right out of the gate. An inexcusable blunder by the Bucs medical team.
July 17th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
J Mac is a slick WR …
July 17th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
And Deer in the Headlights McMillan gagged in key moments which were huge contributors to the pitiful loss in the playoffs to Washington. Dropped a routine catch that would have been a long gainer in the first half, and then the notorious not knowing what he was doing on the jet sweep. He wasn’t even close enough for a fake.
Grizz better coach him up hard, saddle him up and ride him . I just watched that atrocity again and am pissed off. Undisciplined. Unprepared. Soft. The opposite of clutch. All hallmarks of a well coached team.
Oh, wait.
July 17th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
J Mac needs to dial in and remain focused as his opportunities will be there. He probably can’t wait to pick up where he left off. So glad we picked Emeka as well, certain all these guys will impact our season.
July 17th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
Buc U inexcusable blunder by the player who has the final choice and final say and he is very smart and capable of knowing what his options are. He waited till mid July to get operated on. He did that–no one else.
July 17th, 2025 at 6:58 pm
Seems what Grizz was saying is that with Godwin out, who is known to mentor young receivers, JMAC has stepped into that role and as a year 2 guy. That show’s his maturity and the lessons that Chris and Mike imparted to him last year. He seems to have taken his job very seriously and that’s a great thing. But that is what was said of him as a rookie as well. I really don’t know when to expect CG back, it may be mid season but if he’s 100% then hell yeah.
July 17th, 2025 at 7:40 pm
They wont forget about Jmac. He will get even better. Offense is going to crush it!
July 18th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Chi you answered your own question there. Because Egbuka is a rookie he will need to be shown the ropes. If JMac is consistent, Godwin can wait to come back at 100% and will help us in a major way come playoff race time.