Todd Bowles: Emeka Egbuka Is Not A Rookie
September 22nd, 2025
Emeka Egbuka cooks Jets CB Sauce Gardner.
While it’s still way early after three games, it’s hard for Joe to think of a more valuable player in the NFL than Bucco Baker Mayfield.
The guy became the first quarterback since 1950 to start a season with three game-winning drives in the final minute of a game. That’s beyond clutch. That’s Joe Montana/Tom Brady kind of stuff.
(Those 49ers and Patriots teams wouldn’t have let opponents take a fourth-quarter lead three games in a row.)
Aside from Mayfield, who has been the best Bucs’ offensive weapon? Joe could make a helluva argument it is Emeka Egbuka.
Yeah, a rookie.
Egbuka is tied for second-most touchdown catches in the NFL after three weeks of football. He has three. And his ability to make big plays is crazy. He even had one stolen from him yesterday.
In his day-after presser, Bowles said the Bucs look at Egbuka as a veteran.
“Right now we don’t even consider him a rookie,” Bowles said. “He’s been doing it so much in practice. And the details of his work that we had kind of expected,” in Egbuka’s current level of play.
Bowles said Egbuka is no surprise from anyone who has an office at One Buc Palace.
“I think outside, everybody’s seeing it for the first time,” Bowles said.
As for “Offensive Rookie of the Year,” Bowles said that’s way too premature to start discussing. Bowles did add if Egbuka continued to play the way he has for the first three weeks, it would be welcome at One Buc Palace.
“If he can do that for 16, 17 weeks, we’ll be happy,” Bowles said.
Depending on Mike Evans’ status with his hamstring injury and Chris Godwin’s availability, Egbuka may be entering the showdown against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles as the Bucs’ No. 1 receiver.
Pretty amazing stuff from the rookie from Ohio State.
Ira Kaufman Dissects The Bucs Victory, Talks Postgame Locker Room, Haason Reddick & More
September 22nd, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Seeing very exciting stuff out of emeka. Hopefully Godwin can return this week against the eagles and the Bucs can move to 4-0! Also, how terrible was referee Adrian Hill on Sunday?
September 22nd, 2025 at 3:36 pm
I bellyached about the pick at the time…and now…the Bucs would likely be 0-3 without him. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
September 22nd, 2025 at 3:38 pm
There is some dude who does TikTok videos on the Bucs. He was at Bucs draft party at the stadium. He literally didn’t know who Emeka Egbuka was. smh
Wonder if he knows who Egbuka is now?
September 22nd, 2025 at 3:45 pm
16 or 17 weeks?! expecting him to hit 20 weeks in stride
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:04 pm
EE has been nothing short of fantastic.
Shep has been clutch.
But man, if Godwin can get back and be 80% of what he was it could be huge for us.
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:13 pm
He is a rookie, just like preseaon games are not worthless.
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Unless you do ranking of draft picks and scouting of talent for a living, your whining and commentary on draft choices mean jack squat to me. It is funny that most of the whinners about drafting EE are the same ones that whine about Baker Mayfield. Professional Whiners
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:20 pm
I remember during the draft broadcast hearing a dude yelling, “what!”, “what?”, “what!” after the Emeka Egbuka pick was put in. I wonder how he’s feeling about the pick now?
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:20 pm
EE is awesome! And I do not wish to take away from the phenomal one handed catch the refs couldn’t steal from him and the catch that “didn’t count” was also incredible!!!
So all props to EE and yes Baker’s certainly got his share but I’d just like to pile on a bit!! Yes EE’s catch was amazing but how about that dime Baker dropped in where EE was the only player with a chance of grabbing it and it was right in his hand. One of the rare times I don’t have to pluralize hand(s).
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:26 pm
The only part about him that says “rookie” is a couple drops on easy catches. But he’ll clean that up.
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:29 pm
EE is the number one receiver. Even if CG comes back in the next couple weeks I would only expect him to play a complimentary role. We all know that he won’t be his old self for a while-maybe not until late in the season or even next year.
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:31 pm
The Bucs 2026 draft is going to be driven by 2025 injuries (depth).
They needed a 2x MLB but now they need a swing OT, swing OG, DT, and WR. They only have seven picks and that’s six needs.
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:32 pm
The fact that the Bucs have scored only a little over 20 (offensively), while still not having the total arsenal, is scary. Just need Todd to keep the ship tight and Bake to be as healthy as possible. We have still not used White as a receiver much, nor the tight ends (they have to stay in and chip), then the questions become, are there enough bones to feed the dogs?
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:45 pm
EEk is a rookie. Bowles…is just Bowles.
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:47 pm
As much as I love mayfield, and rooting for him to get mvp…. If Danny dimes keeps it up it’s a no veainer
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:53 pm
“is just Bowles.” Yep 3rd winningest coach in Buc’s history surpassing Chucky.
But of course Todd was gifted a great team. LMAO He was also hampered by BA’s loyalty to Leftwich his first year, and Brady’s failure to retire when he should have. That last season was hard to watch a GOAT endure. It reminded me of old Johnny Unitas, old Joe Namath and other stars who stayed a year too long.
Meanwhlle for those who missed GMFB, the guys were praising the hell out of “just Bowles” for his DEFENSE!
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Let’s see how he is doing in week 13
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Had the STs not had a blocked fg returned for a TD, Baker wouldn’t have to be heroic – but good for him and for us all!
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:34 pm
It sure would be nice to also have JMac right now! Let’s hope we can stay far away from another major injury. I don’t want to be in the same discussions with this season’s San Fran, and last season’s Detroit. Hopefully, we’ll see JMac BACK after the Bye!!!!
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:00 pm
CAN WE PLEASE USE DEVIN CULP?
Evans is out. Devin averaged 17 yards per reception last year. He was always open … and he caught nearly every ball thrown his way.
How … Why … Does a 6’4, 237 lbs, 4.47!!! target get forgotten?
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:13 pm
EE has been awesome, and we’re blessed to have picked him first. Let’s all give credit where credit is due, and that’s to Jason Licht and his scouts. While everyone else in the NFL is going WTF, we’re reaping the rewards.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:30 pm
3-0 and Bucs fans still b**** and moan about Todd Bowles….can someone get us a real fan base please?
All the “should’ve hired Coen” boys can go hitch their wagon to Jacksonville and the “should’ve started Trask” crew can go watch him play in the Arena football league.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:31 pm
Joe ,
I have to admit the first time I ever heard of emeka was when you first started posting about him. I actually owe it to you.. lol
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:33 pm
Tbbucs3 I agree with you 100 percent
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:02 pm
Egbuka is fantastic but what the hell is going on with the special teams? It’s a disaster every single week. Punting sucks, kick coverage sucks and kicks are getting blocked. What, if anything, is Bowles saying or planning to do about it?
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:09 pm
SlyPirate Says:
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:00 pm
CAN WE PLEASE USE DEVIN CULP?
Evans is out. Devin averaged 17 yards per reception last year. He was always open … and he caught nearly every ball thrown his way.
How … Why … Does a 6’4, 237 lbs, 4.47!!! target get forgotten?
~~~~~~~~~
My guess is that Culp is the lesser blocker than the others TEs and we need all the blocking help we can get.
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:11 pm
But I would like to see Otton or Payne get some target to spread the D a bit. To your point slypirate.
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:27 pm
How do you guys know Evans is out on Sunday? Were the results of the MRI released ?
If Evans is out along with Godwin, then I expect Shepard to step up along with Miller. So it would be : EE, Shepard, and Miller with Tez called up as the 4th WR.
Hope the Bucs can get Godwin and Wirfs back, but not counting on it ? Agree that the Bucs need to try to use the TEs more, but I think they will have their hands full blocking. This game is going to be brutal.
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:28 pm
Buccaneer TE have 7 targets and 3 receptions in 3 games. Maybe they are staying in to help the OL?
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:32 pm
I honestly think the reason we don’t use Delvin Culp is that he is not that good. He was not a great receiver at UDub Not sure why one thinks that based upon 41 snaps and 5 catches that he is a very good receiver.
He ran last year 24 routes and was targeted 6 times. Maybe he was not always open. And the times he was open may have been because the defense just did not study any film on him.
I find it odd that a fan can make a huge leap to a player being always open based upon 24 routes run and 5 caught balls.
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:00 pm
EE made a super savvy play on a possible Baker fumble, knew he couldn’t cover it so batted it away so that he could and then did.
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:08 pm
Hey Joe. Just noticed the Schedule link in the main menu still says 2024. Keep up the great work. I love the Bucs and I’ve loved this site since it started.
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Parrish has been a second Gold Medal rookie. He makes plays every game.
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:41 pm
Ohio state is an NFL team and its players are NFL ready.