Honestly, if you looked at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' wide receiver room halfway through the 2025 season, you’d have seen a ghost town. It was rough. Injuries basically gutted the depth chart. But as we sit here in early 2026, looking back at how this unit survived—and somehow thrived—it's clear that the wide receivers Tampa Bay rostered last year redefined what "next man up" actually means.
Everyone knows Mike Evans. He’s the gold standard. He just finished 2025 by tying Jerry Rice's record with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. That’s insane. But Evans missed six games with a broken collarbone. Chris Godwin Jr. spent a huge chunk of the year dealing with a fibula injury.
So, who was actually catching the ball?
Wide Receivers Tampa Bay: The Egbuka and McMillan Era Begins
When the stars went down, the kids stepped up. Specifically, Emeka Egbuka. He wasn't just a "fill-in." The rookie became the primary engine for Baker Mayfield during that brutal stretch in September and October. He finished the month of September with 282 yards and four touchdowns. In fact, per NextGen Stats, Egbuka led all rookies in passer rating when targeted ($128.0$) during the early part of the season.
Then there’s Jalen McMillan.
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His story is kinda miraculous. He suffered a serious neck injury back in the 2025 preseason against the Steelers. Most people thought his season—maybe even his career—was in jeopardy. He spent months in a constrictive brace. But he made it back for Week 15 against the Falcons.
He didn't just play; he exploded. In Week 17 against the Dolphins, McMillan hauled in seven catches for 114 yards. You could see the chemistry with Mayfield immediately. He’s a long-strider who knows how to manipulate leverage mid-route. It’s the kind of stuff you usually only see from vets like Evans.
The Veterans Who Kept the Lights On
While the rookies were the flashy story, you’ve got to give credit to Sterling Shepard. He’s basically Mayfield’s security blanket from their Oklahoma days. Shepard and seventh-round pick Tez Johnson each logged nearly 500 snaps in 2025. They weren't always putting up 100-yard games, but they were reliable.
Shepard, specifically, played with a competitive edge that the team desperately needed when Evans was on IR. He’s got those "sticky" hands that coaches love.
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The Contract Reality Check for 2026
Now for the part that makes fans nervous: the money. As of January 2026, the Buccaneers are facing a massive crossroads.
Mike Evans is an unrestricted free agent (UFA) this March. His 2024-2025 extension is voiding on March 10th. While his cap hit for 2026 sits at about $13 million due to dead money, the team has to decide if they’re going to pay a 33-year-old receiver another big-money deal. Evans has said he needs time to reflect on his future, much like Lavonte David did.
Chris Godwin's situation is even more complicated. He signed a 3-year, $66 million extension, but his cap hit for 2026 is a staggering $33.6 million. That is a massive number for a guy who has dealt with significant lower-leg injuries over the last two years.
Why the Depth Chart is Changing
If you look at the current 2026 salary rankings for the Bucs' wideouts, it looks like this:
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- Chris Godwin: $33.6M cap hit (High risk, high reward)
- Emeka Egbuka: $4.1M (The bargain of the century)
- Jalen McMillan: $1.5M (The future)
- Kameron Johnson: $1.0M (The special teams ace)
Kameron Johnson deserves a shoutout here. He didn't get many offensive snaps ($105$ total), but he was a weapon on special teams. He averaged 25.4 yards per kick return. His 54-yard punt return against the Falcons in the season opener was the longest for the franchise in a decade.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Group
There’s a common narrative that the Bucs are "Evans and Godwin or bust." That’s just not true anymore.
In 2025, when both stars were sidelined, the offense didn't collapse. It shifted. Baker Mayfield leaned into the quick-game prowess of Tez Johnson and the route-running of Egbuka. The team found out they have a deep, young core that can actually play.
The real issue wasn't talent; it was health. When the wide receivers Tampa Bay fielded were healthy, they were a top-five unit in the NFC. When they weren't, it was a "who's who" of practice squad elevations like Dennis Houston and Marquez Callaway.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason
If you’re following the Bucs' moves this spring, watch these three things:
- The Evans Void Date: If no deal is reached by March 10th, the Bucs take a $13 million dead cap hit. Expect news on an extension or a "thanks for the memories" post around then.
- The Godwin Restructure: Look for the front office to convert some of Godwin's $22 million base salary into a bonus to lower that $33.6 million cap hit. If they don't, he could be a surprise trade candidate.
- Draft Focus: Despite the talent of Egbuka and McMillan, don't be surprised if the Bucs take another receiver in the middle rounds. With Shepard and Evans potentially leaving, they need bodies.
The 2025 season was a roller coaster of collarbones and fibulas, but it proved that the future of the position in Tampa is actually in pretty good hands, regardless of what the veterans decide to do this March.