Ted Hurst, His Debut And Immediate Future
September 19th, 2026
Caught in logjam.
Two things shocked Joe in the aftermath of the Bucs’ first loss of the season, and how they may relate to tomorrow’s game against the hapless Browns.
The first is the job the Bucs’ corners did on Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins was not a mirage. It actually happened. Yes, Joe is still shocked by that result.
The second was the usage (or non-usage) of rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst. It wasn’t realized until after “this Joe” had yet another growing, too-common hassle with Southwest dealing with delayed flights. Joe finally got home late Tuesday. It was then that Sean Sullivan, Joe’s good friend and general manager of Bill Currie Ford, tipped this Joe off that Hurst logged 75 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 1.
What??? Joe was there and barely noticed Hurst until late in the game.
Sure enough, Hurst had 43 snaps. Like Joe, the Bucs didn’t notice Hurst, either! He wasn’t targeted until the final drive.
(“This Joe” is so busy during a game, Joe has to watch the ball or otherwise miss a play. And yes, often, Joe is writing in the second half and is buried in his laptop.)
Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was asked about Hurst’s usage this week and Robinson didn’t give a clear answer, only speaking in generalities.
[The final drive] “was a clean operation and we needed that,” Robinson said. “So yeah, we’ve got to get all these guys going.
“But Ted, I thought from his first time out, the catch he made the first play of that two-minute [drive] on the sideline was impressive. It was a great route. He continues to just get better, and he’ll get better as he gets more game reps.”
The catch was impressive but not surprising for Joe. Hurst made catches like that daily in training camp. It was cool to see Hurst get a chance to do the same in a real NFL game.
As much as Joe wants to see Hurst get more targets, Joe isn’t sure that will happen in the coming weeks. Joe spoke with a Bucs-type recently and while the Bucs are completely stoked for Hurst, it was explained that Hurst is still a work in progress.
Man, if Hurst is still a project, he might be the next Julio Jones once that project is finished. Most receivers would be fortunate to be as raw as Hurst is purported to be.
So if the Bucs believe Hurst still needs more polishing and Jalen McMillan is now healthy enough to see the field, Joe doesn’t know how much Hurst will fit with the offense in the next few weeks.
September 19th, 2026 at 2:27 pm
That whole 1st game felt like a Preseason game. It didnt seem like the coaches game planned well or made adjustments. Easier said then done, It would have been nice to see Hurst try to have a pass come his way sooner. David Walker to have been substituted in. Maybe Diaby and Yaya switch sides?? Maybe Diaby would have been a better matchup against Mims. Who knows I’m a coach. What was being done wasn’t effective.
September 19th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Very excited about Hurst, I’ll take my chances on a guy who does the difficult stuff well naturally being able to refine himself as time goes on.
If only McMillan’s trajectory wasn’t blown up last year by good guy Teddy’s pre-season hospital ball.
September 19th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
Joe thought they did (yes, really). What was Cincinnati’s biggest threat(s)? Chase/Higgins. Bowles took those guys out. Still shocked at that. Joe would say that’s superb gameplanning. Joe didn’t think Bowles had that in him.
Cincinnati had the worst screen defense last year. Bucs threw short, behind the line. Not saying Joe would have done the same thing but the Bengals struggled with the Bucs offense.
Adjustments? No, the defense never adjusted but honestly, why would they? The most dangerous element of the Bengals offense was taken out.
Joe can’t kill the coaches for last Sunday. Don’t think they coached up Mayfield to fumble three times.
Pass rush? LOL You expect a Todd Bowles team to have a pass rush??? LOL!!! 🙂
September 19th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
I’d make it a priority to get all of our recievers touches as early as possible.
That means J-Mac, Ted and Tez too.
September 19th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
He’s fast too and is a deep threat. We all see Mayfield underthrow and overthrow deep balls but Hurst will be good in jump ball situations. He is very strong and can leap. Bucs need someone who can get behind the secondary. McMillan can too. What’s Wong with him?
September 19th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
40 of Chris Godwin 49 snaps were in the slot
Emeka Egbuka is a natural slot receiver, that’s where he makes his money
This may be Chris Godwin last season in Tampa
The pass rush could’ve been better, with better rotation
I believe David Walker, AQM rotating with Bain would’ve wore Mims out
September 19th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
Joe, they’re sending Hurst one deep routes running clear out routes for Godwin and Egbuka underneath. Bake didn’t throw his way because DJ Reader (one of the best corners in the NFL was primarily covering him). They try giving him more routes ala Godwin in the slot. imagine his height and skill set against typically smaller and slower defenders?!!!!
September 19th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Give Hurst some screens….get him in motion presnap and to generate a head of steam with some shorter to intermediate in-cut breaker style routes and let’s see what the kid can do with ball in his hands ALA Egbuka and Godwin….and even if he is covered deep he has shown the ability to win contested catches. We need to get him involved more in the redzone with his height, too, Joe.
September 19th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Hurst was open deep on a lot of plays, if mayfield looked his way. Look at th all 22. Mayfield just need to make sure he throws the ball out in front of the receivers. He’s been bad at that lately
September 19th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
Build him up through the season so he’s not worn out come December.
September 19th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
JSN and Egbuka shined for Ohio State in the slot
JSN is shining for the Seattle Seahawks in the slot
I believe Egbuka can do the same for the Bucs
Like he did early last season when Godwin was out
September 19th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Ted Hurst will be a Star
He has all of the making of a good WR
September 19th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Trying to get Hurst (and Tez for that matter) targets because there are other good options is a nice problem to have. Sure beats the way the WR have been a MASH unit the last couple of years
September 19th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Hurst Needs to get on the field more. He was good in the limited playtime he got last week.
September 19th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Hurst was on the field a lot against Cincinnati
He wasn’t being targeted
That’s not surprising, considering the hole we dug for ourselves
September 19th, 2026 at 3:25 pm
Bucs Brass are probably more spooked by the Emeka Fallout at the shady end of last season that they want to ensure the same doesn’t happen with Hurst and ease him in real good.
September 19th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Hurst could’ve done better if Fumblelena wasn’t his QB.
September 19th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
I’m expecting Ted Hurst to have a huge game against the Browns !!
Go Bucs !!
September 19th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
The coaching staff is there to hinder the players. Licht and Bowles need to be fired.
Same old story line. Missed communications, players rusty, etc. Blow up the ship and get new coaches.
September 19th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Hodad Says:
September 19th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
Hurst could’ve done better if Fumblelena wasn’t his QB.
LOLOLOLOLOL
September 19th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
BSPN has their rankings of backup QBs up…
They have Daniels as #7! Wow…
But then there’s the fact the writer said he had Browning as his #2 backup last year…
And he has Spencer Rattler at #4. LOL! Rattler made Anthony Nelson look like a future 1st ballot HOF’er last year.
I don’t buy the rankings at all, but still a fun article to read – and say, ‘oh, I remember him.’
September 19th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
For Hurst, he’ll be fine.
The issue was, of course, Baker — not just fumbling, but with all the short passes. Hurst is playing down the field, not behind the LOS, so he wasn’t on Baker’s radar until late the game. Not to solely bash Baker on that, however, as much of it was the gameplan by Zac, to do tons of short passes. Which, BTW, doesn’t make since when you look at the numbers and see Baker was passing short all day AND still holding the ball for over 3 seconds.
Basically yet another awful day by Baker tanked the offense, and the entire time in general. If Baker can manage to have good day vs the Browns, it will be his first good day since week 6 of last year, and should also let us know what type of offense this can be, and who will be getting the ball. Hopefully Baker can actually play like the 3rd highest paid player in the NFL, because it’s been nearly a full year since we’ve seen that.
September 19th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
don’t forget about tez, dudes a firestarter dwarf, should’ve gotten even more action last year, he killed the 49ers. why don’t we throw deep more often, even if it’s just to keep the defense honest, right now they can stack the line and not worry about baker ever going deep- stupid offense
September 19th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Well said JOE of you comment. Chase is one of the most elite receivers in the league and Higgins is a #1 WR on any other team. It’s not if but when the Dline plays like we know it will. They will feast. Vea isn’t washed up. While he did practice at the end of camp he’s not game shape and no one really is. There’s in shape for practice but game time is diff. Baker won’t fumble like that at least for a few games. Wirfs and the oline will get better. Bucs will be fine. Only Bowles haters and baker haters are the ones crying lol
September 19th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
It’s gonna be hard for all these beasts to feast! Then you have Bucky and the other RBs.
September 19th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Not to be overly negative, but I honestly don’t think Zac knows jack. I’m figuring we mop the floor with the brown stains tomorrow. Unfortunately, I have my trepidations. Well, they actually play the game for a reason
September 19th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Let this dude play already.
September 19th, 2026 at 6:13 pm
superb game planning……..
This is how Bowles gets to keep his job despite the putrid results.
Local sports media just run coverage for Licht and Bowles.
The only thing they ever got right was signing Brady.
They’d both be unemployed if not for TB12. He makes losers look competent.
September 19th, 2026 at 6:20 pm
Bowles is such a great coach that he’s 2-8 in his last ten games.
Glazers must have the next contract extension and huge raise queued up already.
31 other teams are clamoring for his services!!!! He’s a guru!!!!
Just wait until the Browns exploit the Swiss cheese scheme.
Can’t wait to see the excuses that are spewed from the Pom Pom squad.
September 19th, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Hurst is a rookie. If he was an Evans like rookie you would see it. He has the measurements but needs to improve his skills. It wait and see how he develops
September 19th, 2026 at 6:47 pm
i get hurst might not be the brightest but he still can get open unlike godwin
September 19th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
hopefully mcmillan will play.
September 19th, 2026 at 8:13 pm
i think coach bowles is under extreme pressure tomorrow…
if we lose to the brown sh!t is really gonna hit the fan, and it’s all gonna fall on coach…
what it he 2-8 in his last 10…?
a loss to the brownies tomorrow could make that seat boiling hot…
hopefully we take the bull by the horns tomorrow and win convincingly, as jacksonville did last weekend…
nothing less would be a good look…
we should be leaps and bounds better than this monken’s scrub squad
September 19th, 2026 at 8:21 pm
the whole 43 snaps thing is kinda wild…
if i had to take a wild guess i’d have said max of maybe 20-25…
so he was pretty quiet and ghost-like out there until that late drive with 3 grabs in a row…
i’m actually excited to see jmac back in action
September 19th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
jmac could create that tipping point for the offense, where it becomes too much to handle for an opposing team…especially a crappy one like the browns…
brady always looked for that one extra offensive weapon to create that tipping point imho
September 19th, 2026 at 8:49 pm
The Bucs have an abundance of riches at the wide receiver position and there is always going to be someone some people are going to think should have played more or been targeted more.
To play more, that means taking another receiver off the field. Who would that be … McMillan, Egbuka or Godwin? I know there are some idiots here that will always say “Godwin” but he friggin’ balled out in the last game – at least when he was targeted. Plus, you’re paying the guy north of $20 million and he’s one of Baker’s most trusted targets.
The Bucs are actually in a good position in the next couple of years if they choose NOT to overpay on contract extensions for wide receivers. There’s somebody already there to take their place who will fetch a much smaller extension sum due to their limited playing time.
I want to see Hurst more. I want to see Tez more. Hopefully, with a full contingent of wide receivers, Robinson will just keep rotating them so that he always has speed on the field.
Then, of course, you need to get Bucky and Kenny the ball, too.
A lot of teams only wish they had this problem!
September 19th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
“Hurst was open deep on a lot of plays, if mayfield looked his way. Look at th all 22”.
It takes more than 2.5 seconds to get open way down the field.
What I saw in the ALL-22 was a QB who didn’t have time to get through his reads. When he tried to create more time, he fumbled. Unless you are suggesting that Hurst was supposed to be the first read on every play, I’m not sure any QB would have had the time to find him on the third read in the progression.
September 19th, 2026 at 10:10 pm
Love Godwin but if they can get outta his money after this year might have to do it. I love having depth at WR but Mauch and possibly Diaby are more important when we have Hurst at X … McMillan at Z and Egbuka can work the slot like Godwin. Maybe I have my Y and Z mixed up, been a long day.
September 19th, 2026 at 10:11 pm
Scott Kirahan… bingo. That’s what I’d be thinking. Baker better get some awareness when he’s buying time or the OL better shape up fast.
I think I know which is more likely.
September 19th, 2026 at 10:40 pm
JMac will be out there this Sunday but it’s not going to take him long to get injured again. Hurst will get plenty of snaps.
September 19th, 2026 at 11:10 pm
This team will never reach its true potential, until we have a new QB, GM & HC!!
September 19th, 2026 at 11:27 pm
Ted was awesome. So were Godwin and Egbuka. And McMillan is back. Oline was better early. Our top 3 CBs and Trotter balled out. Bucky looks good.
Lots to build on if our pass rush can come alive
September 20th, 2026 at 4:08 am
Superbowl: Revenge game. Bucs defeat Bengals.
No that woulld be a good story.