Through the first five weeks of the season, Emeka Egbuka looked every bit the first-round pick the Buccaneers hoped he’d be. The rookie wideout came out firing-25 catches, 445 yards, five touchdowns-and played a key role in Tampa Bay’s 4-1 start. But since then, the production has cooled, and so has the team’s momentum.
Over the last eight games, Egbuka’s numbers have dipped: 29 catches for 361 yards and just one touchdown. And while football is never just about one player, the Bucs have gone 3-5 in that stretch. It’s fair to say the offense hasn’t looked quite the same, and Egbuka’s recent struggles-particularly with drops-have been part of that story.
One of those drops came at a critical moment in Sunday’s loss to the Saints-a would-be touchdown that slipped through his hands. It’s the kind of play that lingers, especially for a young player trying to find consistency in the back half of his rookie year.
But inside the building, there’s no panic. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard made that clear when asked about Egbuka’s confidence level.
“I don’t even think it’s really confidence - he’s a very confident guy,” Grizzard said. “What we’ve asked him to do [as a] rookie gets taken for granted a lot - even from the coaching staff.”
And he’s right. Egbuka hasn’t just lined up in one spot and run a limited route tree.
He’s been tasked with learning and executing all three receiver positions-X, Z, and slot. That’s a heavy lift for any rookie, and it speaks to the coaching staff’s trust in his football IQ and work ethic.
“He’s a guy that came in here from day one and has prepared the right way,” Grizzard continued. “He’s played all three spots.
He’s won games for us. We have all the confidence in the world in him.”
The Bucs haven’t made things easy on Egbuka, either. Injuries to veterans Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, as well as fellow rookie Jalen McMillan, have forced him into a larger role than originally planned.
And as the season’s worn on, opposing defenses have adjusted. They’ve seen the tape.
They know where he likes to work and how the Bucs like to use him.
That’s the challenge for any young receiver-staying one step ahead in a league that adapts fast. But Tampa Bay believes in Egbuka’s ability to adjust right back.
“We’re going to try to get it to him early, often, with the game on the line - which he’s proven he can do,” Grizzard said. “No one’s more upset with him than himself.”
That last part matters. Egbuka isn’t shying away from the rough patches.
He knows the drops hurt. He knows the offense needs more from him down the stretch.
The good news? The Bucs are starting to get healthier. With Evans and Godwin trending in the right direction, and McMillan working his way back, Egbuka may finally get a chance to operate in a more balanced receiving corps-one that doesn’t ask him to carry quite as much of the load.
Tampa Bay’s still very much in the thick of the NFC South race. And if Egbuka can recapture some of that early-season magic, he could be a difference-maker once again.
The rookie’s already shown flashes of being a game-changer. Now it’s about finishing strong.