Emeka Egbuka: Winning Is More Important Than How Defenses Attack Him
December 7th, 2025
Winning beats numbers.
Bucs rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has cooled down of late.
Everybody saw early in the season what Joe had seen through underwear football and training camp with Egbuka. He is a stud.
But right about the time the Bucs started suffering injuries to their wide receivers, Egbuka’s numbers began to stagnate. Joe believes that’s when Egbuka had to become a No. 1` receiver out of necessity and teams were focused on taking him out, that’s when he began to tail off.
That’s a tough ask for a rookie, no matter how talented he may be.
Joe asked Egbuka last week if Chris Godwin’s return to the field helped take defensive pressure off him. Joe learned very quickly Egbuka isn’t fond of putting himself above the team.
“It just goes team to team, honestly,” Egbuka said about how defenses focus on him. “So obviously, as a defensive coordinator, especially once we get guys like Mike Evans back on the field, it’s going to be tough to cover everybody.
“So, you know, I leave [how best defenses can cover him] that up to them, up to their game plan. And, you know, like I said, it changes each week based on what we’ve seen coverage and who’s healthy and whatnot.”
Joe was taken aback and followed up asking Egbuka if Godwin getting back on the field was a benefit to him because defenses had to account for Godwin, too. Egbuka knew what Joe was asking, but he was uncomfortable talking about himself over the Bucs.
“All we’re looking for is a win each and every time we step on the field,” Egbuka said. “So you know, whether the coverage is on me or not, or it’s more on Chris or … whatever the case may be, that’s going to open up [for] Bucky Irving.
“So just when you have so many weapons like that, you know, just makes it difficult for a D-coordinator.”
In other words, Egbuka said it’s not about him, his targets or his numbers. It’s about how the Bucs can win.
December 7th, 2025 at 2:00 am
He has too many bad drops- Him and Godwin need to hit the jugs machine extra every day for a bit.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:49 am
Let’s just hope the team can play complimentary football today. We need the passing game, running game, defense and special teams all to be humming today. We have 5 weeks to tune up for championship caliber football. GO BUCS!
December 7th, 2025 at 8:07 am
PSL
I’m afraid this team isn’t anywhere near championship caliber. And they aren’t going to be.
Even if they had the physical ability, they’re mentally weak.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:11 am
Jmarkbuc, realist or pessimist, that’s the question. I hope it’s the latter. I’ve been complaining about the defense just as much as anyone, but I believe things are going to turn around. Label me naive, but a Bucs fan forever.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:18 am
Glad he’s keeping his confidence up.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:27 am
Glad Jmarkbuc is on our side!
December 7th, 2025 at 9:39 am
Just catch the damn ball and run like hell!
December 7th, 2025 at 10:27 am
#RookieWallSlowlyDefeatingTheEggman
hopefully he breaks out of it…especially as more receivers are returning, and can be sprinkled in…
he could in a few weeks realistically become a #4 receiver with no pressure to be a 2 or 3…
he has never even taken a regular season snap with jmac yet
December 7th, 2025 at 10:28 am
As good as Egbuka is, he is not a dominant receiver like Evans or even Godwin when he is at full strength. I think he has suffered recently from poor play design which has resulted in lack of separation. Having Godwin on the field will certainly help and Grizzard should get Otton more involved. Tez Johnson may be faster and more of a deep threat than Egbuka, who sometimes seems like he’d be better as a slot receiver.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:31 am
If baker can get the ball on the spot for his guys we should be fine lately they have been not so on target and defense needs to be chewed out before during and after the game to keep them focused till next week I think the defense just be out there sometimes without the call and just do what they think is the play
December 7th, 2025 at 11:20 am
Egbuka has drops because he makes too many business decisions. Today, watch him if he gets thrown to over the middle. I have noticed this tendency numerous times.