Benjamin Morrison’s Time Is Now: Rookie CB Gets Crucial Opportunity in Bucs’ Playoff Push
It’s been a rollercoaster rookie season for Benjamin Morrison, and now the ride is hitting a pivotal stretch. The second-round cornerback came into the league with high expectations - and for good reason.
His tape at Notre Dame was loaded with instincts, ball skills, and lockdown coverage, including a standout performance against Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. But after flashing early in the season, Morrison’s year has been a mix of promise, struggles, and injury setbacks.
Now, with the Bucs’ playoff hopes on the line and their secondary in flux, Morrison is stepping into the spotlight.
A Season of Highs, Lows, and One Big Opportunity
When Morrison was drafted, the Bucs believed they were getting a future starter - a polished player who only slipped to Day 2 because of medical concerns. Early on, he looked the part.
Morrison showed flashes against the Jets and Eagles, playing with the kind of confidence and physicality that made him a standout in college. But that momentum hit a wall.
After a tough four-game stretch and a hamstring injury that’s kept him sidelined since Week 11 against the Bills, Morrison is now being called upon to fill a major void. With Zyon McCollum landing on injured reserve and out for the remainder of the regular season, Tampa Bay is turning to its rookie to help stabilize the cornerback room opposite Jamel Dean.
Trust From the Top
Head coach Todd Bowles isn’t sugarcoating the situation - he’s putting his faith in the rookies, and that includes Morrison.
“[I have] very high confidence in both of them,” Bowles said earlier this week, referring to Morrison and fellow rookie Jacob Parrish. “They’re not rookies anymore.
It’s late in the season right now. They both can play.
They understand the system, and they’ve got to go out there and play.”
Parrish has had his moments, but Bowles’ comments signal a real belief in Morrison’s upside. Despite limited snaps this year - he’s only played more than 70% of the defensive snaps once, during the Week 11 loss to Buffalo - Morrison has shown enough to earn this shot.
Of course, that Bills game wasn’t flawless. He gave up a 43-yard touchdown to Tyrell Shavers, who ended the day with 90 receiving yards.
But that game also came during a stretch when Morrison was clearly battling through his hamstring issue.
Now, he’s healthy. And the Bucs need him.
Big Targets, Bigger Test
This week’s matchup doesn’t offer much of a soft landing. The Panthers may be struggling, but their receiving corps is built to challenge corners physically. Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker all stand at 6-foot-3 or taller - a trio of big-bodied receivers who have helped Bryce Young find a rhythm late in the season.
That means Morrison’s return comes with a clear assignment: hold up on the outside against size, timing throws, and contested catches. It’s a trial by fire, and Carolina will likely test him early and often.
A Three-Game Audition With 2026 Implications
This final stretch of the season isn’t just about plugging a hole - it’s a legitimate audition. Defensive pass game coordinator George Edwards sees a player who’s ready for the moment, even if the path to this point has been uneven.
“He’s been here every day, he’s been attentive, he understands what we’re trying to get accomplished,” Edwards said. “From that aspect of it, I think whenever his number gets called, I think he’ll be prepared for it and be ready to go.”
Bowles echoed that sentiment, pointing to Morrison’s improved health and readiness.
“I think he’s finally healthy, so you’ll probably see the real Benjamin Morrison that we drafted,” Bowles said. “He had a couple weeks to take in some things mentally and get physically right, so he’s probably in the best place he’s been in this year.”
The timing couldn’t be more important. With Jamel Dean’s future in Tampa Bay uncertain - he’s set to hit free agency after taking a pay cut this season - Morrison has a real chance to stake his claim as a long-term starter. The Bucs will face the Panthers twice in their final three games, giving Morrison a direct shot to prove he can match up against big receivers and deliver in high-leverage moments.
If he rises to the occasion, the Bucs may have found their CB1 of the future. If not, cornerback could climb near the top of Tampa Bay’s offseason priority list - whether in free agency or the 2026 NFL Draft.
But for now, the focus is on Sunday. Morrison has the stage. Now it’s time to see if he’s ready to own it.