Can Tez Johnson Win The Punt Returner Gig?
July 20th, 2026
Tez Johnson
Bucs 2025 seventh-round pick Tez Johnson out of the University of Oregon entered the NFL as an experienced punt returner with solid fourth-down success on his résumé.
The Bucs seemed to want him to win the job, primarily because they didn’t have a seasoned punt returner in last summer’s training camp.
Johnson dazzled with a near-touchdown punt return in preseason against Pittsburgh, but Johnson botched a punt later that game and it led to a Steelers touchdown.
After the game, head coach Todd Bowles seemed very sympathetic to Johnson.
“A muffed punt, I think is a good learning experience for him as a rookie,” Bowles said. “You know, you got to take care of the ball and you got to manage the game back there. That’s one of the prime responsibilities of a punt returner. So it’s a very good lesson for him that he’ll get better with going forward, but I thought he played fast and I thought he played hard.”
Two weeks later, the punt returner gig was handed to Kameron Johnson, a Division II returner who returned one punt for the Bucs in 2024.
Tez Johnson didn’t return a punt in the regular season.
Joe brings this up for two reasons — because there’s a new sheriff in town leading the Bucs’ special teams, seasoned coordinator Danny Smith, and because Joe’s not sure the Bucs want to keep Kameron Johnson on the roster.
They likely want Tez Johnson to win the punt returner gig to preserve a roster spot.
The Bucs currently have receivers Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Ted Hurst, the rookie third-round pick. Do they really want six receivers on the roster, the total if both Johnsons make the team?
And don’t forget about handpicked free agent receiver David Sills, who caught 18 balls last season for the Falcons, where new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson called plays last season.
Joe expects Tez Johnson to get every opportunity to win the punt returner job this season. But if he muffs a preseason punt again, well, Bowles showed he has zero tolerance for that.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
This Kid can play as he showed last year. The Bucs are loaded on Offense. Now about that Putrid Pass Defense of recent past….
July 20th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Do the Bucs want to roster six receivers? Yes.
Do the Bucs want to keep Kameron Johnson? No. (Though they might well make room on the practice squad).
BTW there are a number of candidates for WR6. Eric Rivers (for speed); Garrett Greene (for potential?); Sterling Sharpe or more likely David Stills (for experience).
July 20th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
He has earned a spot on this year’s roster
July 20th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
This team feels.like they always try to put square pegs in round holes.
Average guys returning punts and kicks
Lineman covering slot receivers
Cover corners playing 12 yard cushion coverage
Failed defensive gurus calling defense and getting extensions as the head coach
July 20th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
BUCS FUN FACT THAT MAY ONLY INTERST ME …
The Bucs have more players from PNW colleges than Florida colleges.
July 20th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
I don’t even want Tez lined up play side on stretch runs, he’s got a Tiquan Underwood feel to him Í just can’t figure out
July 20th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
Isn’t that why they signed gainwell an experienced punt returner.
July 20th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
I’m not sure Tez is very enthusiastic about returning punts. But he certainly has what it takes to become a dangerous punt returner if he sets his mind to it. Let’s face it…….punt returners have to have the composure of a cowboy poker contestant.
Go Bucs !!
July 20th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Noooooo!
He’s too small! Are you crazy!?
He could be killed!
Don’t even think about it!
July 20th, 2026 at 6:59 pm
We are so loaded at receiver we should probably trade one of our lower ranked ones. Maybe for a corner? Better than losing them off the practice squad…
July 20th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
Sure. Jaelen Darden revisited.
July 20th, 2026 at 8:04 pm
I like Tez.
Off topic, I just saw Jordan Whitehead has been cleared to play. He’d becheap to bring back.
July 20th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Speaking of off topic. The everything is about Race Ryan Clark was let go today. He is the shining example that anybody can be a Racist. Karma is Real.
July 20th, 2026 at 9:30 pm
Keep Sills and launch Kam Johnson.
Kid got his shot, dropped a TD, hasn’t shown anything.
At least Sills has some size and this team is lacking that at the WR position. If Sills can’t play special teams like Greene (?) Garrett… am I messing that up? Also not huge but bigger and obviously has some jam.
July 20th, 2026 at 9:53 pm
I hope he gets reps in preseason and during season. Tez is a playmaker. One of my favorite players.
July 21st, 2026 at 12:17 am
In fairness, Kameron Johnson unexpectedly flat out won the return job – and Tez was bound for much more important duty. But I have no doubt Tez could get it done as a punt returner if that’s what he’s asked to do.
July 21st, 2026 at 7:26 am
One thing that makes it a tough decision is Kam J was good at returning punts. Not great, but good. And he was dependable as far as not screwing it up. I know it sounds like a low bar, but it’s not as low as one might think.
Kind of like being a really good long snapper will keep you employed for years but nobody will remember your name.
July 21st, 2026 at 1:35 pm
Whitehead was straight trash in latest stint with the Bucs. Hell no!
Also, I didn’t realize we had Sterling Sharpe on the roster?
Learn a lot in these parts.
July 22nd, 2026 at 1:49 pm
Absolutely not. It’s not worth the risk of Tez getting crunched and ending up on IR. He’s too valuable elsewhere. Sometimes I think we forget he is the lightest NFL player to EVER PLAY THE GAME and looks skinnier than ever. I weighed more than him in elementary school.
From Google: NFL Combine Weight: He weighed in at exactly 154 pounds, earning the distinction of being the lightest overall participant at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. Senior Bowl Weight: He tipped the scales slightly higher at 156 pounds earlier that year.
Look to Kam, or Greene, Rivers, or Sills