Bucs Legend Says Zyon McCollum “Needs To Start Proving You Are Who You Are”
June 3rd, 2026
Tough talk for the Buccaneers’ big-money cornerback.
Rondé Barber knows Zyon McCollum is being paid handsomely. The $16 million that will land in McCollum’s pocket makes him roughly a top-20 cornerback when it comes to annual salary.
It’s hot-seat time for the 27-year-old, a guy oozing with athletic talent.
“This has got to be his year, and that’s not pressure,” Barber said of McCollum on WDAE radio. “He doesn’t need to put any pressure on himself, but just looking at just the reality of his evolution, like this has got to be the year. At some point you need to start proving that you are who you are. And for him, he needs to study himself. He needs to find a way to evaluate himself day in and day out. Go into work every day with the attitude that, ‘I’m getting better. I might get incrementally better in one practice.’ But that’s got to be his attitude the whole team.’
Barber added that McCollum is now “the guy” in a cornerbacks room filled with “second-year guys and a bunch of free agents.” That’s not a status McCollum can escape, Barber said, and and he he needs to step up into that role, as well as produce on the field.
Joe considers McCollum a true wild card. Nobody knows if he’ll snap out of the funk that made him look like a backup during much of last season.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:56 am
it’s not McCollum’s fault JL decided to vastly overpay for his services, like many other draft choices on their second contract. There is no way Zyon was demanding that salary or else. JL could have let him walk or hold out. The middling performance prior to the extension did not indicate the massive increase in salary. What’s foolish is expecting Zyon to live up to the ridiculous contract amount. It’s another example of JL drafting an athlete instead of a productive player.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:59 am
“Check is in the mail” – Michael Clayton
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:05 am
He’s perfect for the extra soft butter, Swiss cheese pass defense that Bowles employs year after year after year.
15 yards off the receiver at all times. Especially on 4th and 14. Genius.
We get to enjoy our guru HC\DC scheme it better and coach it better in 2026.
The players just have to play it better. Simple.
And if not we can use the injury excuse and start the process all over again.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:14 am
Should not be a starter. The Bucs will find out the hard way this season. Jason needs to be looking for veteran CB because at some point in-the season Zyon is going to get bored again. lol.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:34 am
Badbucs Says:
There is no way Zyon was demanding that salary or else.
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I doubt that any GM on any team ever paid a player that the player’s agent wasn’t asking for.
Until last season, Zyon was getting better each year, so many believed that would be true last year as well. GMs, unfortunately, don’t have psychic abilities to see how players will perform in the future.
Had Licht not extended Zyon and instead let him play out his contract year, it could have cost the team much more to resign him had he continued ascending as a player.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:39 am
^^^^^^added to what I wrote above…
It’s easy to play Monday Morning Quarterback and criticize Licht for the decision now. But if Licht let Zyon play out his contract, played at a Pro Bowl level last season, and then demanded even more money to re-sign him, commenters here would be criticizing Licht for not extending him before the season began.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:42 am
Make or break year for him no doubt.
June 3rd, 2026 at 9:57 am
I am not a fan sorry. In fact I have been on the band wagon he is a huge liability. I saw enough last year. I don’t know how someone can play as bad as he did last season and now he is expected to be elite?. He was probably one of the worst or the worst cb playing last year. I can’t buy the whole boredom thing. So now he isn’t bored and is going to be an elite cover corner. That sounds like pure denial because you gave him a ton of money or fantasy, maybe some of both. I admit early on I thought he would develop into a great cb. How the eye in the sky as they say don’t lie. My thoughts, he just does not have the passion or he is playing not to get hurt. I guess we will soon see. However I think the Bucs took a huge gamble and don’t want to admit they made a mistake. They need to get an established cb and let McColumn earn his way back to a starting position.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:07 am
He HAS proven who he is!
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:30 am
ZM is another “potential” pick by JL that has had flashes over the years, but is not worth the money they pay him. This indeed is his last chance.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:42 am
I think Badbucs point is that there are multiple examples of second contracts being one sided in the players favor. While not to the same degree I would toss Winfield in that category and maybe even Davis.
Of course you’re correct that nobody can see into the future and of course there’s the coaching factor. How much does the coaching staff play in the continued development (or lack-thereof) after he second contract?
I’m a fan of Jason and think he’s a good gm but it does seem that he does over value his own draft picks and can outbid himself at times.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Doesn’t Licht think he gets graded solely on his draft pick’s success? It’s about building a winner on the field however you get there. Trades, FAs, whatever. Build a team and move on from mistakes.
Please bring in veteran CB help. And a bruising RB for short yardage.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:48 am
Does not doesn’t.
June 3rd, 2026 at 10:51 am
I am thinking someone like Keonte Scott will say what needs to be said if loafing and boredom show their ugly faces in the DB room. My question is where was AWJ when all this was happening or is he part of the problem? Maybe Tykee, Parrish and Scott can get the attitudes back on track. It’s obvious the DC cannot do it
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:05 am
“” My question is where was AWJ when all this was happening or is he part of the problem?””
AWJ has been missing for the last 2 yrs.