Jalen McMillan Was Under Zac Robinson Microscope
January 28th, 2026
When new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson didn’t really want to give a deep answer to a question yesterday, he sometimes reminded local media that it was only his second day on the job.
It was a nice cover story.
Robinson has a been a busy guy studying all things Bucs, likely for weeks.
Away from the One Buc Palace podium yesterday, Joe asked the former Atlanta playcaller (2024 & 2025) whether he spent a lot of predraft time studying Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan, a third-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2024.
Robinson explained he knows much more about McMillan than what he did at the University of Washington.
JoeBucsFan.com: With the Falcons drafting a receiver a couple of years ago, did you have a looks or interaction with Jalen McMillan (who came out in the same draft)?
Zac Robinson: We didn’t end up talking to [McMillan] but knew from watching a ton of [quarterback Michael] Penix film, obviously, he stuck out. He was a player that [I] had a lot of like for. Versatility within the route tree sticks out, his ability to win 1-on-1 [isolation routes], run after the catch. He’s got great ball skills, great hands. He checked the box on just about everything. And so, I know he had a tough injury [with the Bucs] and ended up getting back and he missed a lot of time. But you watch that 2024 tape — and I’ve watched all of his targets and watched every single play, basically, that he’s played in — there’s a ton that J-Mac can do and he is incredibly versatile, which is really cool and real cool to work with. So I’m pumped to get rolling with J-Mac and the rest of the receiving crew. Because like I mentioned, there’s so much versatility with all those guys that it’ll be a lot of fun to put together.
Joe can only imagine how excited really is to be in Tampa, where the weapons cache is stunning. McMillan is a gem in that mix. Joe was so impressed by McMillan playing with steady fire after returning from a broken neck in December after four months on the shelf.
Heck, the Bucs would have made the playoffs if half their roster brought the juice McMillan did.
As for that weapons arsenal, Joe won’t make any assumptions about Mike Evans, though finds it hard to imagine Evans walking away in free agency To quote Robinson, “I’ll kind of leave that out.”
Ira Kaufman Talks All Things Zac Robinson Meeting, The Todd Bowles Temperature, Sam Darnold Vs. Baker Mayfield & More
January 28th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
JMac is smooth. His athleticism pops on film. Arrow pointing up. In other news, Monken heads to Cleveland and word is Schwartz is leaving. Glazers can get this fan excited if they sign him. Bowles needs less on his plate and I’ d feel pretty confident with Robinson, Schwartz & Smith as coordinators.
January 28th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
Perfect line Joe.
If everybody played with his juice we could be a dominant football team.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
Praying for a healthier 2026 and a more aggressive offensive attack
January 28th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Gotta bring back Mike and upgrade the backup C/G positions.
Sign a RB and a beastly blocking TE that has the ability to escape off the line and catch a pass for 5 yards.
With the rest of the weapons and only 1 ball, that’s all that is needed on offense.
Let’s get Egbuka or JMac running routes outta the backfield like JSN. Rams had 0 answer for that. Embarrassing how open he was in the endzone on Sunday.
As I type this I realize, I gotta go away again and stay away. Licht could make all the right moves this offseason and load the front 7 and I will be tempted to get excited and then remember it’s all for nothing with Bowles still in charge. Sad.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Joe, I have been seeing a lot of conversation about players not playing with a lot of juice, not motivated, cancer to the team, Baker and Lavonte laying in to the team during the season, etc. However, I have yet to see any Buc-related site where ANY Buc Player(s) are being called out. I hope these players are wiped off the team during the off-season. Something else to complain about Bowles about, not being in control of the team and any mal-contents.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
JMac will regress and suck. It’s the Bowels way.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
“Joe was so impressed by McMillan playing with steady fire after returning from a broken neck in December.”
That was very remarkable, when you really think about it. He never seemed to miss a beat. Which is nothing to sneeze about with concerning that type of injury! He is definitely an ALPHA DAWG on this team. He doesn’t care. He just goes about HIS business.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
For me it’s OBVIOUS that McMillan is ELITE. It’s my point of view concerning the guy. He’s Special… I know there are plenty who would argue that he’s not in Evans or Godwins league. And I would agree. He seems to be in his OWN..
He was No Less than ELITE “especially” but the end of the 2024 season. There wasn’t ANYTHING he didn’t catch for the most part and That included the Very play that he got hurt in. He didn’t even drop the ball to Try to save himself from the impact.
It’s my true feeling that it Was He who Would Have been our Numero Uno receiver (by far) last year if he didn’t suffer the season (thankfully not life) ending damage from a guy NOT, … and CERTAINLY NO LONGER QUALIFIED to throw a football in a professional league. He would have been last years star. He CERTAINLY Was by the end of 2024…
With the addition of a “Professionally Experienced” OC, I believe if he Finally used properly this year, he’ll earn his destine rank as minimum, number two. The competition IS REAL! But….. So Is This Guy! We’ll All Know soon enough….
January 28th, 2026 at 2:30 pm
I know Robinson will like how interchangeable JMac & Egbuka are, but please, no WR runs please.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
He has to prove he can stay healthy. Just like Kancey and just like LG.
January 28th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
i hope bowles finally has a sense of urgency that the team can feed off of…
doubt it, but it is what it is
GO BUCS!!!!
January 28th, 2026 at 3:02 pm
Agree with others who believe J-Mac is a special talent. Happy to hear Zac mention him specifically – and Tez! It’s apparent that Zac’s already doing a deep dive on his skill players.
Zac attack! Lfg Bucs 🏈
January 28th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
i think robinson is might be seeing what i’m seeing…
and i think jmac is slightly pissed…
everything is always mike and chris this…chris and mike that…
eggman this…eggman that…
bucky this…bucky that…
jmac is legit legit…he’s gonna have a big year if he stays healthy…
jmac quietly might think he’s receiver #1 in his own mind rn lol…
also…..your #1 thru #4 receivers……on paper you can list them how you like, but after the 2026 season, you really can not tell me how they stack up from 1 to 4…it can easily flip around by then…mike and chris are getting old af…and jmac is on the rise – looking hungry and physical…and hopefully eggman reawakens so i can no longer refer to him as a runny egg…
and mike isn’t even signed………..yet
current stackage:
mike
chris
jmac…..yes i have jmac at 3
eggman
tez
shep
me…yes i’m #7…i’m ready to roll 🙂
January 28th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Still need to add starting caliber
TE
WR
and Oh !
Running back room is NOTHING special
Bucky is a rotational RB
January 28th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
When Jalen came back he didnt miss a beat. He looked better than ebupka. He looked good! I expect a great season from him..
Can we start talking about the defense please?!!!!!!!!