Baker Mayfield Said Emeka Egbuka Really Can Do It All
July 25th, 2025
Love from his quarterback.
Now before Joe gets rolling, Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield didn’t specifically call rookie receiver and first-round pick Emeka Egbuka “The Truth.”
But what Mayfield did suggest in his press conference after Day 2 of training camp practice is that fans finally got to see on Thursday what Mayfield has spoken about Egbuka since the Bucs drafted him.
Mayfield has said since Egbuka first got on a practice field, he can handle any receiver assignment, anywhere on the field.
“It really is the truth,” Mayfield said.
And now Mayfield has witnesses: fans.
Joe really doesn’t know how to aptly describe Egbuka, other than he’s a Chris Godwin clone. He’s also “smooth.” His running style is graceful and fluid. Smooth.
The word “smooth” comes to Joe’s mind every time Joe sees Egbuka catch a ball.
“Like a day like [yesterday] where Mike [Evans] is not [on the field at times] practicing, you can put Emeka in anywhere,” Mayfield said. “It is fun to be able to have a guy like that, who is that intelligent, does not act like the rookie.
“His head is not spinning. He’s able to do it and handle it the right way. It raises the standard for everybody else.”
Mayfield said Egbuka has so impressed him with his play and his intelligence and professionalism (even as a rookie) that Egbuka is “pushing” other receivers to raise their games.
To back up Mayfield’s words, Egbuka made a play where he seemed like Evans the way he ran a route in the back of the end zone and skied above the defense to catch a touchdown pass in red zone drills. It’s on X video here.
“When you have a rookie coming in, learning the offense for the first time, and pushes everybody else around — it’s great to have somebody like that,” Mayfield said.
Imagine when Chris Godwin gets healthy. Fire!
July 25th, 2025 at 7:19 am
Bucs will have 3# 1 WR.
July 25th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Larry Bird wasn’t athletic but he understood the GAME OF BASKETBALL from the neck up. Because of his intelligence he transformed BASKETBALL. JORDAN and MAGIC both talk about Bird in those terms.
It remains to be seen whether EGBUKA can be that that guy. Mayfield speaks highly of his ability to understand the game at the level of a Veteran. That’s rare in any sport!
If Emeck’s performance on the field could become a reality, than start talking about the Bucs being legit Super Bowl contenders.
July 25th, 2025 at 7:46 am
Can’t wait to see it unfold in Atlanta. LFG!!!
BEAT ATLANTA!!!
July 25th, 2025 at 7:46 am
I can’t think of another teams that is so loaded at WR. Besides, Evans, Godwin, Egbuka and McMillan, both White and Bucky are one of the better pass catchers in the backfield.
July 25th, 2025 at 7:54 am
i dont recall if baker was this high on jalen mcmillan. seems like the bucs were not high on him either.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:03 am
Analysts rely on physical traits because it is easy to measure and not teachable. But you can’t teach intelligence and emotional maturity either. I know from my son that you can have all the skills and do great in practice but if you freeze up in the game you are of no help. That ability to be cool under pressure, process information, and make good decisions is just ad important if not more so then speed and strength.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:04 am
Emeka was crucial in Ohio states ring.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:05 am
“…Egbuka is “pushing” other receivers to raise their games.” I don’t recall EVER hearing that statement said about a rookie. Especially after only a few practices. Maybe we got something here.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:07 am
I love Godwin, but he’s becoming an afterthought.
Anything we get out of Godwin this year will be a bonus.
July 25th, 2025 at 8:10 am
Many fans/media types criticized the Bucs for that pick.
They would have preferred we draft somebody like Shemar Stewart, who went two picks ahead of ours.
Not saying our team would have picked him, but he’s the kind of player many were clamoring for. Just thinking it’s funny what the Bengals are going through trying to sign him but instead we have a stand-up guy proving to be a WR Swiss army knife for us. LOL It’s kind of hilarious. 🤣
July 25th, 2025 at 8:49 am
This kid is a better receiver than Hunter. Yeah I said it. He’ll have a better season. Jags gave up 2 firsts to move up. That’s why they’re the Jags.
July 25th, 2025 at 9:45 am
This is your #2 receiver. Godwin is on track to miss the entire season. You’ll see…
July 25th, 2025 at 10:36 am
I liked the EE pick from the jump. I’m not convinced CG is going to be ready to play anytime soon.
July 25th, 2025 at 10:51 am
I like Egbuka, I like McMillan,
But l think we should keep Trey Palmer also
July 25th, 2025 at 11:55 am
Love the descriptor “smooth,” Joe. You know who else stands out to me as being supremely smooth? Jerry Rice. More recently, our own Mike Evans is smooth at times, too – like he’s gliding and not straining.
Future scouts on a prospect: “He’s a good WR, but how smooth is he? We’re looking for at least an 8/10 on the Smoothiness Scale.”
July 25th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
FACTS. Saw it with my own eyes today.
July 25th, 2025 at 12:12 pm
Jeff Says:
July 25th, 2025 at 9:45 am
This is your #2 receiver. Godwin is on track to miss the entire season. You’ll see…
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Really? Having read many of your posts, you aren’t a Bucs fan.
July 25th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
Jeff is a hump. Probably thinks Trask should be an. Idiot
July 25th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
Jeff is an undercover Falcons fan, no real Bucs fan would spew such a negative thought.
Jeff > muted
LFG Bucs, in Baker we trust
July 25th, 2025 at 10:20 pm
Godwin is the bomb and i hope more than anything he is good to go but it is kind of strange how there is never anything said that would give us real hope. If he’s not good to go we are going to miss him tremendously.
July 26th, 2025 at 3:16 am
Wow! Sometimes the hyperbole is not hyperbole I guess. That is the third time I have read pretty much the same thing coming from Baker.
Mayfield does not strike me as the type to hype guys with no justification. Thinking those Baker organized workouts have paid off. Tez ain’t looking to shabby either from what I have read. Wonder how his punt return stuff is looking.
Go Bucs!
July 26th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Say adios to Trey “Darden” Palmer, Kam “KennyBell” Johnson, Rakim Jarrett, and The Dearf. This team is stacked at WR. Maybe JMac can pull his head out of his hind end and catch a wide open pass.