Bucs News: Jalen McMillan Outshines Egbuka at OTAs, but Context Matters Before Investing
Jalen McMillan is back on the practice field, healthy, and making a statement. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver outperformed teammate Emeka Egbuka at OTAs this past week, according to Scott Reynolds of PewterReport.com, a development worth monitoring, even if one week of spring practices carries inherent limitations.
Reynolds, who has covered the Buccaneers as a beat reporter for more than two decades, was careful to frame his observation in full context. Egbuka, he noted, also had a strong week. The two receivers were competitive throughout the session. McMillan and Egbuka reportedly challenged each other to a third-down catch competition during drills, tying on the day and agreeing to pay the price with push-ups. The competitive dynamic between them is emerging as one of the more interesting subplots of Tampa Bay’s 2026 camp.
What makes McMillan’s performance particularly meaningful is what happened to him in 2025. A significant neck injury ended his season before it ever really began. He missed the first 14 games, returned briefly in Weeks 15 through 18, and finished with 12 catches for 178 yards across just four appearances. It was a frustrating follow-up to a 2024 campaign that had shown genuine promise. The fact that he is moving freely and looking like the best player on the field at OTAs, however early those observations are, is a real data point.
Head coach Todd Bowles addressed McMillan’s situation directly at the start of OTAs, praising his mental resilience during the lengthy rehabilitation process. “He’s come back with a great outlook,” Bowles told reporters.
The Bucs’ receiver room is entering a new era. Mike Evans departed after 12 seasons to sign with the San Francisco 49ers, and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is installing a system that will require multiple receivers to contribute each week meaningfully. The depth chart, as currently projected, has Chris Godwin leading the production for the veteran group, Egbuka stepping into the starting Z role full-time in his second season, and McMillan competing for the third spot alongside 2026 third-round rookie Ted Hurst and Tez Johnson. That crowding is real. Baker Mayfield’s tendency to spread the ball means no single receiver is guaranteed a dominant target share on a weekly basis.
For McMillan specifically, OTA performance has historically been the window in which he has flashed. The question heading into training camp is whether the neck injury has any lasting effect on his ability to sustain that level once contact and game-speed reps are introduced. If the answer is no, the receiver room in Tampa Bay could feature a different standout performer each week, and McMillan is in the mix.