Todd Bowles Says Zyon McCollum Is Teaching Himself
September 9th, 2026
The Zyon McCollum experience has hit Year 5.
McCollum was a crazy athletic rookie in 2022. The Bucs traded up to draft him in Round 5. He blossomed into a starter, but he fell off the map last season after getting a fat contract a year ago. Infamously, McCollum got a reputation for being bored on the field.
This year, Joe was told privately in very simple terms about McCollum by a former Buccaneer. “He’s got to want to be more disciplined.”
Enter Todd Bowles this afternoon at One Buc Palace. The Bucs’ head coach/defensive coordinator was asked about McCollum learning from his new position coach.
Bowles replied talking a lot about McCollum changing his own personal approach.
“I think he’s teaching himself, as well, understanding what he needs to work on in the offseason. That’s the first part of being a full-time pro,” Bowles said of McCollum.
“And I think he did a good job at that. [New Bucs cornerbacks coach] Rachad [Johnson] has tweaked some of the individual periods for him specificially to do certain things in his pedal and his shuffle and those types of things to help him get better. I think he’s seeing film better. You know, it takes a while to learn how to watch film. I think he’s learning how to watch film and understanding how to use his strength.”
Does that sound like a fifth-year cornerback with 43 career starts under his belt? A guy with a fat contract?
Joe is all for improved coaching, but something is very odd about the McCollum trajectory.
Keep in mind McCollum has had the benefit of training in offseasons with his twin brother Tristin, who won a Super Bowl ring with the Eagles and plays safety for the Raiders.
September 9th, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Well, no chance he gets bored on Sunday. At least we hope not. Not with their offensive weapons at wide receiver.
September 9th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
I have been a huge critic of his play and written as such on this post all too often. I don’t understand why they did not at least add a legitimate cb and make McColumn earn his position back. Presently I see him as the weakest starting player on this team until he proves otherwise. I don’t see him as a starter. I believe he is going to be exposed in Cinn. I don’t know how Bowles will explain that. Hopefully I am wrong but like I said he needs to prove otherwise.
September 9th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Cut bait he sucks he seems to always get smoked
September 9th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Just like last season it was the defense that had to not want to collapse. I guess we will see what the defense wants to do or doesn’t want to do this season. Go bucs
September 9th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Why have a HC?
September 9th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
“Does that sound like a fifth-year cornerback with 43 career starts under his belt? A guy with a fat contract?”
Would you prefer for him to stop learning, and trying to figure out how to get better? Serious question, this kid came out of Sam Houston raw as hell, but athletically has all the tools and this is his 3rd year full time at CB after moonlight all over the defensive backfield. Ya’ll talk like he’s always been a bad player, but you expect him to be Darrelle Revis or Pat Peterson.
“Joe is all for improved coaching, but something is very odd about the McCollum trajectory.”
Unrealistic and vague fan expectations is probably the cause of this because Bowles is literally talking about McCollum improving his game on his own and with the coaches help.
September 9th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
Man, Burrow, Chase and Tee are gonna carve up McCollum and company like a Thanksgiving turkey.. especially when Bowles has these guys playing 8 yards off the ball.
September 9th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Bowles: “It takes a while to learn how to watch film.”
Bucs fans: “TODD, IT’S YEAR EFFING FIVE.”
Bro!
September 9th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
“Joe is all for improved coaching, but something is very odd about the McCollum trajectory.”
——-
Everybody in the NFL has a different trajectory.
Zion has had, according to most reports, a very strong camp this year. Hoping he can start strong on Sunday.
One of Zions biggest issues (to my eyes) has been head around/spot the ball…. He can be sticky in coverage but often doesn’t see the ball til it’s too late. I’d BET Rachad is working with him on that.
It will obviously help Zion if our pass rush is consistently putting QBs under pressure and/or on their a$$.
Let’s go Zion…. Let’s get a pick for game 1 !
September 9th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
There does seem to be a few red flags in what Bowles is talking about with Zyon but I agree with Warren Brooks Lynch.
I’m not super worried about the secondary on Sunday.
I think for the first time in years we are gonna see a legit pass rush. Don’t give them the quick underneath stuff and should be fine cause I imagine Bowles is gonna unleash the dawgs up front.
September 9th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Teaching or touching?
September 9th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
this would be funny if it wasnt so sad. isnt watching film a rookie camp day 2 thing? dont they have film at sam houston?
year 5 and zzzzyon is according to guru todd, “understanding what he needs to work on in the offseason. That’s the first part of being a full-time pro”
i guess that is more of that “stuff” that todd cant coach. todd cant coach and zzzyon cant learn or stay focused on the pro football game he is a part of.
great combo…..
well i guess the good news is zzzzyon is now working on the first part of being a full time pro football player.
i think bowles just hates him. just detests him. he wouldnt talk so much cr@p about zzzzyon if he didnt.
September 9th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
This guy would have been gone in the defense purge but nobody wanted to take on his contract after his pathetic 2025 season. Shocking that a 5th year pro is just “learning” his position. By itself, that is a good enough reason to get rid of this dud.
September 9th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Touching himself? Zzz…yon?
We’ve got some negative Nancies here but that’s pretty darn funny
The sarcasm and cynicism here is top notch – Thanks Todd
September 9th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
Great coaching on display here
September 9th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
No, absolutely not. It does not sound like a fifth-year cornerback with 43 career starts under his belt? OR a guy with a fat contract. Rather sounds like a 3rd year college guy trying to break into the starting lineup.
What a waste of athleticism.
September 9th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
I have always thought that Zyon McCollum dislike the Zone defense
It seems like he prefer man defense over zone
He’s probably bored playing zone
It’s not only him, a few defenders were out of position a lot
They start “Freelancing” instead of following coach instructions
These are undiscipline players, who haven’t bought into the system
September 9th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Lakeland, then that seems like an obvious case for making the scheme fit your players versus making players fit a scheme.
September 9th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
No Jmarkbuc
It don’t work like that
The players have to buy into the system
You don’t simplify your system for them
You get rid of them, and get players that will
We know it can be a complicated defense
But, this is the NFL
September 9th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Zyon permanently lost me at “bored”.
September 9th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
He wasn’t too bored cashing them checks
September 9th, 2026 at 5:11 pm
I’m with you JMarkBUC! Why worry about coaching! Let them coach themselves!BRILLIANT idea! Hell maybe you could bring them drinks or something!
September 9th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Another Licht overpaid genius pick. All potential, little production. He has all the physical measurables, but is mentally checked out. Paying him a large extension for potential without proof was reckless at best. Giant ego outsmarted himself again. What a waste that keeps on costing us money, roster slot and games. Way to go JL.
September 9th, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Todd used the term “bored”. “Unfocused” would have been more apt. CASE in point: Rams debacle–Rams on our 5, Zyon matched up with Adams on outside left. Zyon HAS help to the inside, most likely pass is to the corner. At the snap, Adams fakes to the inside ANYway, and Zyon bites. Instant tuddy for Adams in the corner./ Hopefully they can coach crap like that out of his head. Kid was effective in ’24
September 9th, 2026 at 5:44 pm
The coaching has done everything it can. Which is very little.
Other than eating KitKats at a geometric rate.
Mr monotone cigar store Indian himself. Todd Bowles.
🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
September 9th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Another way over paid average draft pick by Licht with an average coaching staff. If we don’t score 30 points a game we’re doomed again. Another average season from an average coach and average GM.
September 9th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
How do you even give a guy with such professional character flaws a big contract?
GM Malpractice
September 9th, 2026 at 9:18 pm
He better figure it out before he lines up against Chase.
September 9th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
“Does that sound like a fifth-year cornerback with 43 career starts under his belt?”
It took Ronde Barber 5 years to really become a great CB. It takes some guys longer.
It is widely claimed that players should start to reach potential by year three. But the truth is, they’re really only expected to show they have improved enough to not be replaced.
They continue to improve after year three.
So really, yes…it sounds likke a fifth year guy.
September 9th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
A reminder…the entire team fell off the map last year.
September 9th, 2026 at 10:42 pm
Maybe next time Todd. It’s practice short he could coach his players how to watch film instead of letting them teach themselves in year 5
September 10th, 2026 at 1:37 am
This is coach speak for Zyon is a dumb dumb… Physically has everything you want in a Corner but clearly is struggling in the IQ department.
September 10th, 2026 at 7:39 am
Sure seemed like a SO HO slump like so many Bucs have experienced!!
Just a guess!! Guy may never go out but it sure had that vibe .