Yesterday’s Leading Receiver Was…
October 27th, 2025
Bucs WR Tez Johnson.
When opportunity presents itself, what are you going to do?
Yesterday, Anthony Nelson had his first start of the season. What did he do? He went wilding on the slimy Saints. Damn near won the game all on his own.
When is the last time the Bucs had an edge rusher/outside linebacker who took over a game like Nelson did Sunday in New Orleans? Simeon Rice? Probably Shaq Barrett against Carolina in 2019, Nelson’s rookie season.
But it wasn’t just on defense where a guy given a chance made the most of it.
The offense is littered with injuries. Luke Goedeke is down for who knows how long. Mike Evans is likely out until the regular season concludes. Chris Godwin? It’s anyone’s guess when he returns. Thanksgiving? (Joe is just spitballing — no intel whatsoever.)
And with Emeka Egbuka now having the full attention of NFL defenses, it’s a chance for someone to step forward. Yesterday, that was Tez Johnson.
No, Johnson did not catch a touchdown pass. But he did lead the Bucs in receiving (five catches, 43 yards).
Yesterday after the Bucs’ win over the slimy Saints, Baker Mayfield gave Johnson a shoutout.
“Yeah, Tez continues to make plays for us, flying around the field,” Mayfield said. “I know he wants that one play later on in
the game back, but other than that, Tez played great.”
Not shabby for a rookie seventh-round pick, basically a throwaway pick.
Is Joe suggesting Johnson is the next Jerry Rice? Hell no! But damn if given the opportunity, Johnson has very much shown he belongs. He’s also demonstrated how useless those dumb 40 times are at the combine.
Just like the Bucs’ wouldn’t be 6-2 with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht going all “Millen” drafting Egbuka, Joe thinks it is fair to say perhaps the Bucs aren’t 6-2 without a rookie seventh-round pick making plays.
October 27th, 2025 at 10:35 am
I think Tez would tell you that he should have held onto at least two other balls. He’s a really fun player to cheer for. Looking forward to watching him grow in the system!
October 27th, 2025 at 10:36 am
Tez is most definitely a fan favorite here in Tampa. Couldn’t be happier for his success. Keep it rolling Tez!
October 27th, 2025 at 10:42 am
I was not high on Tez, mostly due to his stature, but I can admit with the attrition in the WR room he’s risen to a level of play to where I know understand what he can be as a player.
Still, I think he’s too light in the ssa and the 2026 offseason if he can bulk up and improve his durability he can be a good player for us through his rookie deal. You can see the self preservation in how quickly he’s willing to get down after a catch and live to play another down. That’s self awareness I can’t be mad at knowing he’s as big/little as he is.
October 27th, 2025 at 10:43 am
They were definitely keying on Egbuka and trying to take him out of the game
October 27th, 2025 at 10:48 am
leading receiver has 5 catches for 45 yards. leading rusher has 42 but oh yea nothing to see here. lol. what happened to offensive rookie of the year? what happened to mvp
i’m more than happy about the record. 6-2 is a great result. until this team finds some consistency it isnt going anywhere. it is always one side or the other crashing and burning.
October 27th, 2025 at 10:50 am
M-V-P! M-V-P!
You go Tez.
October 27th, 2025 at 10:55 am
@ Warren Brooks Lynch
Tez took some massive hits yesterday and bounced right back. Including a hospital ball by baker.
@ Dreux in the Canoe
What other drop? He was 5/6 this game. Last two games he caught all catchable balls from baker
October 27th, 2025 at 10:59 am
Tez definitely has dog in him, throws up some good blocks like a mini Hines Ward.
October 27th, 2025 at 11:10 am
The one where he caught a ball over the middle and immediately got absolutely lit up was impressive. He completed the catch and bounced up like, that’s all you got?! He’s got a long ways to go but is showing he can contribute.
October 27th, 2025 at 11:12 am
According to Licht, technically Tex is a 6th rounder 😉 LOL. Just didn’t have a pick to get him.
All kidding aside, great pickup. I hope he can stay lucky and avoid the big injuries. I thought he was going to get destroyed when the linebacker (?) surprised him from his blindside after a catch yesterday. He was getting down just in time. Lucky dude.
October 27th, 2025 at 11:27 am
This guy is a football player!
October 27th, 2025 at 11:32 am
I predicted two TDs for Tez yesterday, and am convinced that the only reason it didn’t happen is Mayfield not being 100%. Tez scored 20 TDs and racked up 2,000 yards in his two seasons at Oregon. He caught all 8 targets in a preseason game for the Bucs. Tez is not a gadget part time player. He is durable. He is elusive. He is dependable, and it’s a mistake not to get him more involved.
We don’t need to trade for another WR. We just need to make better use of the guys we’ve got. We have a QB turned WR named Green on the practice squad who might be helpful if injuries continue to be an issue.
October 27th, 2025 at 11:40 am
Nothing against Tez but…five catches, 43 yards is not anything to write home about. Did we have anyone getting open scaring the Taints? I did not see it. Where was Shepard? Did Miller get any snaps?
Baker is off. Injured? Line sucked (all of them). Thank goodness for Otten as well Joe.
Go Bucs!
October 27th, 2025 at 11:53 am
He plays like Baker, in his mind he thinks he’s 6′ 4″ and believes he’s a game changer. It shows up in their style of play.
I would like to see them use him a bit like a Tyrek Hill, I don’t think that there’s a LB that can stay with him. Put Kameron Johnson out there with Meka and use misdirection with Tez. It will help to open things up more than just putting Tez lined up on the outside like we are currently doing.
October 27th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Love Tez but that offense yesterday was brutal again.
October 27th, 2025 at 12:33 pm
This kid has “guts” I tell ya! His backstory is equally as impressive.
October 27th, 2025 at 12:43 pm
Tez is playing great right now!!!
stay humble and hungry young fella!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
October 27th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Have wondered about those “dumb 40 times” since the moment we drafted Tez.
Have also wondered what intel and what 40 times the Bucs had on him. After all, the team is tight with Washington.
Was not a fan of the pick. He’s small, historically small for an NFL player. In both weight and height. His athleticism scores were meh, though the Bucs might have been privy to different results. (The explosiveness scores were high to be fair). Thought he was brought in as a return guy, at most a gadget player. But he might turn out to be a player in full, using elusiveness and short area speed to make a name for himself, like Muggsy Bogues and Spud Webb in the NBA.
As a Buc I — and we all — are rooting for him. As they say, “Prove me wrong!”
October 27th, 2025 at 12:57 pm
Who was it that told me weeks ago the he was “Darden 2.0”???!!!
Yes, I want to keep those receipts! Lol I’m all seriousness, it’s great to have Tez on the team! His skill set and energy is what this team needs!!!
October 27th, 2025 at 1:12 pm
He played tough yesterday, too. His size is still a worry for me as he gets this many touches. I think he’s more dangerous as WR3 that safeties must be aware of. Tex is proving himself for sure, though and I hope he can stay upright the whole season.
October 27th, 2025 at 1:26 pm
I’d much rather have a little guy with sticky hands get us first downs and immediately drop to the ground then someone who wants to break some tackles but can’t get open and may even have the ball bounce off of his hands/chest one too many times. I already liked Tez but he fully won me over with that stretched out fingertip catch a couple weeks ago.
October 27th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Tez might be small for a football player, but he’s fast and extremely well-coordinated. Plus he’s got glue for hands, and he’s injury-smart. He’s made a fan out of me. Rest up, speedball, cos we’re gonna need you in the next 9 games!
October 27th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
He took a few big hits yesterday. It was pretty obvious that they were trying to hut him.
October 27th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
@aqua
Tez says kiss his flamboyant little dwarf a$z. Bus is full buddy
October 27th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
And with Emeka Egbuka now having the full attention of NFL defenses, it’s a chance for someone to step forward.
———
I thought e2 looked OK vs the Lions, but yesterday he looked sluggish. I really don’t think it was the defense as much as he was not at full speed – but that’s also based on the TV angle of things, so perhaps they were double covering him more than I realized. But just his cut and burst didn’t seem to be there – which means he’s more injured than we thought. Maybe.
As for Tez, it’s great to see. Said it all offseason, that yeah, he’s very light, but he is also 5′ 10″, while most guys his weight at more like 5′ 7″. I think that three inches of height I think is a big difference maker and I always thought would give him a much more legitimate shot at becoming a decent NFL WR than your typical 7th rounder. Also his tape looked great, and on it you saw him running away from guys picked in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, who ran 4.4’s – which is why I said don’t worry about his speed, he’s obviously fast. Anyways, so far, so good, and he obviously has a ton of room to improve. For a 7th rounder to even make the team is huge, and to be starting by week 8 is a big deal.
October 27th, 2025 at 3:38 pm
Yeah, Tez is playing like a third-rounder. Great for a Rd. 7 guy! Awesome job!