Ronde Barber doesn’t sound worried about the Buccaneers’ receiver room without Mike Evans. He sounds focused on the two young players who can swing the whole thing.
On the Jim Rome Show, the Hall of Famer and longtime Bucs legend pointed to Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan as the real drivers of Tampa’s passing game this season. Barber, who remains connected to the organization as a franchise ambassador, said the offense’s ceiling will be tied to how those two perform.
"Chris is a pro... Replacing Mike is impossible...
But the reality is, this team's gonna go as Emeka and J-Mac go... Those 2 guys...are gonna need to have big years for this team to be really successful in the passing game."
That’s a strong statement, especially with Chris Godwin Jr. back in the mix. Godwin is healthy again after battling multiple injuries that cost him 17 games over the last two seasons, and he still gives Baker Mayfield a proven target. Barber made it clear he respects what Godwin brings as a dependable possession receiver.
But the bigger swing factors are the younger names.
Egbuka, Tampa’s first-round pick a year ago, is expected to be the long-term answer after Evans moved on to the San Francisco 49ers following 12 seasons in Tampa. The Buccaneers are hoping Egbuka and Godwin can form their own version of the Evans-Godwin partnership that worked for years.
McMillan is just as important to that equation. He flashed as a rookie in 2024 when Godwin was hurt, then had his momentum wiped out by a preseason neck injury that sidelined him for almost the entire season. Now entering his third year, he’s expected to be Tampa’s WR3 in 2026 and should get plenty of targets.
There’s another young name in the mix, too. Rookie Ted Hurst has been turning heads in training camp and has even drawn comparisons to Evans. Tampa expects him to make an impact right away.
That depth is part of why Mayfield has so much trust in the group. And it’s also why Barber believes the Bucs’ passing game will rise or fall with Egbuka and McMillan.
Godwin’s role is clearer. The younger two are the variables.
Both have already shown they can flash. Egbuka started his rookie year fast before his production tailed off in the second half.
McMillan showed promise as a rookie, then never got the chance to build on it because of the injury. If they can hold that level over a full season, Tampa’s offense can be dangerous.
If not, the ceiling drops fast.
Barber’s point is simple: the range of outcomes is wider for Egbuka and McMillan than for the rest of the receiver group. If they land near the top of that range, the Buccaneers’ passing attack could be excellent. If they don’t, it could be a long year.
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