Deep Wide Receiver Corps Appears Deeper — And That’s A Good Thing
July 30th, 2026
Tez Johnson tore up Bucs defense.
Yeah, it still keeps Joe awake at night that Mike Evans bailed on the Bucs. But man, the Bucs may be one of those rare teams to not be hurt that badly by losing a Hall of Fame receiver.
Yes, the Bucs are deep at receiver. Sure, you may argue the Bucs have a bunch of possession receivers, slot guys. But that’s better than not having any at all.
How many teams would love to have Jalen McMillan as their No. 1? And he’s likely a No. 3 receiver with the Bucs.
And the Bucs’ No. 4 receiver? There’s a battle.
Rookie Ted Hurst is just plain solid. He makes plays each and every practice. Not so much the eye-popping plays, though he can do that, too. But he makes the rudimentary catches look so easy and smooth.
If Hurst plays to his abilities, Joe thinks he easily is the No. 4 receiver and just may crack the starting lineup before the end of the season. (“Other Joe” thinks he could be a No. 1 receiver before too long.)
Right now, Joe isn’t so sure about the No. 4 receiver position. It very easily could go to Tez Johnson.
The second-year guy from Oregon, though it has only been two practices and both underwear football-style, Tez has been blowing up. He’s been torching the Bucs defense, usually but not always, second-stringers.
Isn’t that what you expect a good receiver to do?
Today, Tez put on a show. The highlight may have been a 50+ yard bomb down the middle. Tez adjusted to the ball near the goal line with Josh Hayes draped all over him and hauled in the catch.
To the fans’ delight — it was a packed house today — Tez celebrated his catch with a backflip.
The ball at that play was at midfield and Joe swears from where Jake Browning threw the ball, it may have been 55 yards in the air. Tez’s catch was so good, people overlooked how far Browning launched it.
That wasn’t his only good catch. Running down the left sideline, Tez had an over-the-shoulder catch. Again, Hayes was the victim.
Bowles has plenty to say about Tez after practice and Bowles just raved about him.
“Mentally he’s outstanding,” Bowles said. “He’s playing fast because he knows the system. He’s getting it down a lot quicker.
“He’s become a good pro and a studious person which allows him to play faster than he has already played. He can get down the field and make plays. And he made them.”
The thing about having such a deep wide receiver room is that every receiver has his best trait which is often slightly different than the other. That allows a creative offensive coordinator to have a more diversified offense. More tools, more weapons.
Now Joe isn’t suggesting the Bucs won’t miss Evans. That’s heresy. But Joe would not be shocked if the Bucs have a better aerial attack this year than last year.
July 30th, 2026 at 11:55 am
55 yards in the air isn’t that huge, Joe.
I used to warmup before games throwing sideline to sideline at freakin 12 years old and could launch it 20 yards further than that if I tried to throw as far as i could.
A few years later, I could throw 80 yards.
And I didn’t play highschool or college football (I played baseball).
So I yawn when hearing about a whopping 55-yard throw.
July 30th, 2026 at 11:57 am
But kudos to Tez for balling out.
And to Browning for throwing a catchall ball.
July 30th, 2026 at 11:57 am
*catchable ball
July 30th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Cough cough bullcrap. A simple google shows the farthest a recorded throw by an nfl player was 87 yards in 1970. Patrick mahomes and Vinny threw it 80 yards. Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers top out at 75 yards Josh Allen 77 yards.
July 30th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
Uncle Rico in the House, the Bucs QB solution is right here on JoeBucs
Erik with Clean Athletics™ Says:
July 30th, 2026 at 11:55 am
55 yards in the air isn’t that huge, Joe.
I used to warmup before games throwing sideline to sideline at freakin 12 years old and could launch it 20 yards further than that if I tried to throw as far as i could.
A few years later, I could throw 80 yards.
July 30th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Jeffbuc Says:
July 30th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Cough cough bullcrap.
__________
YOU WEREN’T THERE!!!! He had the NFL scouting him at 14 years old and decided to go into plumbing instead because it was a better career and future, man!!!
July 30th, 2026 at 1:07 pm
Lol @ Eric
80 yards 🤣
As far as our recievers go…. We’ll be fine, even better without Mike.
July 30th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
I could throw it 80 yards- from the top of a mountain with a 70mph wind at my back.
July 30th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Mike Evans is gone? Why haven’t we been informed?
July 30th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
I hear the hype every preseason! Last year’s preseason! What counts is real results!!! Can these players stay relatively healthy and on the field during 17 + games! That’s what is as important as talent!! Availability!!! I’m hopeful! But seeing is believing!! Bring on September!!!
July 30th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
“I used to warmup before games throwing sideline to sideline at freakin 12 years old and could launch it 20 yards further than that if I tried to throw as far as i could.
A few years later, I could throw 80 yards.
And I didn’t play highschool or college football (I played baseball).
So I yawn when hearing about a whopping 55-yard throw.”
Uncle Rico Erik Mahomes in the house!
Baseball player + human football bazooka –> Mahomes
“… I could throw 80 yards” @ 14-15 yo vs “How much you wanna make a bet I can throw a football over them mountains?” –> definitely very Uncle Rico-esque.
Some of the people post some wild $h!+ in here!!
July 30th, 2026 at 1:41 pm
Get a load of this f’ing Erik with clean athletics guy. Listen…go run to your closet and put your uniform on, time for you to go to work – those kids will be mighty disappointed if you’re not gnna be there to make balloon animals, riding on tricycles or whatever it is clowns like you do for income
July 30th, 2026 at 2:37 pm
@ Erik ..what a complete waste of pure talent..UGH! I’ve switched my talents to criticism!! UGH!