Zyon McCollum Working Toward “Getting My Mental Back On Firm”
July 31st, 2026
It’s Year 5 for Bucs starting cornerback Zyon McCollum and he says he’s in a fresh chapter of his career.
Per McCollum’s chat this week on The Pat & Aaron Show on WDAE radio, McCollum said he’s seen it all from NFL offenses so there’s less pressure on him as a player. All he has to do is stay on the field and perform.
“At this point it’s more about having fun, taking care of my body and finding ways to get better,” McCollum said.
McCollum noted 2025 injuries challenged him mentally as well as physically.
“Battling injuries all year, you don’t like that, and it kind of messes with your mental a little bit,” McCollum said. “And so this offseason, it’s just been getting my body back right, getting my mental back on firm and being able to go take chances out there.”
Fans will remember that head coach Todd Bowles explained McCollum’s boredom-related struggles last season. No need to rehash all that weirdness.
Joe just hopes McCollum is of sound mind and spirit. The Bucs desperately need him to bounce back and look like an emerging No. 1 cornerback again.
July 31st, 2026 at 9:41 am
He is banking what could have gone to VV and Baker , along with a few other of JLâs players who were rewarded before they should have been.
July 31st, 2026 at 9:47 am
And Winfield too
July 31st, 2026 at 9:48 am
Either way, you canât pay everyone, someone will not be happy.
July 31st, 2026 at 9:48 am
@ SB~LV, so true!
July 31st, 2026 at 9:49 am
So bring it and stop being bored
July 31st, 2026 at 9:52 am
Sorry right now just now a fan. This year he has been given the starting job it appears when he should have been demoted based on last year. I think Bowles and Licht are really gambling on him and don’t understand the logic. They should bring in a bonafide CB and put McColumn in a reserve role until he earns his position. Presently the CB position is likely the weakest link on the team. The only real starter on this team is Parrish. To make matters worse there is no depth behind him. Presently the team has one person who can play the postion effectively. That is not a good thing in a passing driven league.. I just have little faith in either McColumn or Morrison. One can’t get on the field the other one should not be on the field.
July 31st, 2026 at 9:52 am
I’m in the minority that thinks McCollum can bounce back and play some good football for us because not only is he smart, but also has all the tools as an athlete to succeed.
Good to hear him talking about getting his mind right, because that’s the biggest hurdle in efforts of putting it all together.
July 31st, 2026 at 9:55 am
Maybe McCollum and Bucky can go see the same psychiatrist.
July 31st, 2026 at 9:58 am
Questioning the mental health of players on my football team is disrespectful.
July 31st, 2026 at 9:59 am
If ZM can get his mind right and stop being “bored”….
Time out here folks… “bored”?
Anyways – ZM def has the physical tools to be a solid DB in the NFL.
The Bucs are paying him a grip of cash so I hope he gets his “mind” together and he isn’t as “bored” as he was last season.
Maybe get him a “figit-spinner” he can use at half-times?
July 31st, 2026 at 10:03 am
I agree. Last year was the first year he regressed. It had been all positive progression prior to that.
Just like Braswell, I have no reason to not pull for him. Unlike Braswell, I think he actually has a chance
July 31st, 2026 at 10:15 am
@ Drunk
Agreed.
At least ZM was a 5th rnd pick and not a total waste of a 2nd… Yeesh.
July 31st, 2026 at 10:19 am
I donât think a lot of you understand what a football player means when they say theyâre bored. It means they arenât getting targeted. Every athlete needs to balance energy output, itâs foolish to think guys are 100% effort every play. It doesnât work like that.
July 31st, 2026 at 10:21 am
maybe, he can borrow a few Adderall off Eric Wright
July 31st, 2026 at 10:31 am
Bucs really need this kid to step up!!!
as mentioned above, Zyon has all the physical tools but he needs to focus and build his confidence
GO BUCS!!!!
July 31st, 2026 at 10:34 am
Seriously, was there anyone on this team who wasn’t injured last season?
July 31st, 2026 at 10:43 am
It all starts in the mind. I hope he can put it all together.
July 31st, 2026 at 10:52 am
WBL I agree with you 100. A lot of people stating he didnât earn it but he really did before last year he was improving each year while he doesnât make a lot of int his pass break ups are a lot. He earned his pay day and was a 5th rd pick but now he needs to keep earning it not get paid and fall off.
July 31st, 2026 at 10:59 am
He was gifted a starting job. Based on last yearâs performance and his comments, he canât handle injuries. I wish heâd talk to Ronde about the mental toughness it takes to play all 17 games focused toward perfection. Every snap matters.
July 31st, 2026 at 11:04 am
I wonder whether he found his paycheck boring, or only the work to earn it?
July 31st, 2026 at 11:12 am
What injuries? I donât remember him missing any games? Wasnât her one of the best about not putting his body in peril?
July 31st, 2026 at 11:15 am
“He was gifted a starting job. Based on last yearâs performance and his comments, he canât handle injuries.”
No he was not or do we not remember 2023 where he played every single position in the secondary as a year 2 player. ’24 was iirc, his first full season starting on the outside and he finished w/17 PBUs(3rd ranked), allowed 58% completion(5th best), and the 9th lowest QB rating allowed when targeted.
That’s what he did after being “gifted” a starting gig, as you and others would say. Not all that Shabby, especially for a player we picked up with a day 3 pick.
July 31st, 2026 at 11:18 am
@ warrin
I’m not disagreeing.
Your argument is solid.
My question to you – Why the regression in 2025?
What happened?
July 31st, 2026 at 11:26 am
Whenever I hear â just have funâ I get Gerald McCoy flashbacks. And not in a good way.
July 31st, 2026 at 11:36 am
Aquabum:
I hear you, you have point but you know sometimes you have to go and make something happen and not wait for the ball and player to come your way. I always get concerned in the job when people say they are bored. Itâs so unspecific, bored with the coach, bored with his teammates, bored with life?
July 31st, 2026 at 11:36 am
“My question to you â Why the regression in 2025?”
When he played with Dean, he was always the targeted instead of Dean because Dean when available was always a little more feared by opposing coworkers QBs. Sort of like when we kept putting Morrison in during the Patriots & Bills games and he was getting picked on mercilessly(while Zyon got bored).
Thumb surgery week 4, played with a front that could pressure the pocket but not stop the play in the backfield, so now you go from shadowing an actual route to chasing a guy trying to bail his QB out around the yard or getting smoked on crossers. Bunch of factors, I can’t say exactly what, but he’s only 27.
The funny thing is, statistically he didn’t fall all that far. Finished last year allowing <60% of passes completed, had less PBUs, and allowed 2 more TDs(6) as 2024(4), but allowed them in less games. 10 TDs in his last 30 games, that's not some terrible stretch.
July 31st, 2026 at 11:48 am
Todd used to the wrong word, it isn’t ” bored.” He should have said he loses focus
July 31st, 2026 at 2:07 pm
“Fans will remember that head coach Todd Bowles explained McCollumâs boredom-related struggles last season. No need to rehash all that weirdness.”
No reason to rehash but you keep mentioning it. It was only a thing to begin with because the Joes made it one…. They’re very quick to jump on a meaningless sound bite if it fits in a narrative they’re pushing.
@Beeej is right – should have used loses focus but whatever, it’s a reality in sports.
July 31st, 2026 at 3:35 pm
New and improved pass rush should have a impact on his game
August 1st, 2026 at 11:36 am
Zyon this is the year you need dominate. Prove to us your worth the money