Bucs WR Could Provide Boost Down Stretch

Like it or not, wide receiver Tyler Johnson was probably the Bucs’ biggest acquisition at the trade deadline – although Tampa Bay didn’t have to surrender any compensation for him after he was released by the Texans. Johnson struggled to crack the lineup in Houston, logging just 29 snaps in the two games he was active for. He didn’t record a stat in his time in Texas and was released on October 25.

After clearing waivers, the Bucs scooped him up and added him to their practice squad. Johnson spent his first two seasons in Tampa Bay and was with the team through training camp. In a deep receiver room he lost out on a roster spot to Breshad Perriman and Scotty Miller with the team citing his special teams impact as the reason.

Bucs WR Tyler Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While it appears there are no immediate plans to elevate Johnson to the active roster, head coach Todd Bowles spoke on Wednesday about his versatility to help at any spot.

“Tyler [Johnson] knows all three spots on the offense with the three receiving spots,” Bowles said. “So if someone goes down, we don’t have to plug in just a ‘Z’ or an ‘X’ or an ‘S’ – we can plug in Tyler and he can kind of move people everywhere. It’ll help if it comes up.”

The experience Johnson has in the system could go a long way to help a struggling Bucs offense. While his versatility to line up anywhere will be key if injuries come up or players fail to do their job. Johnson is focused on just that, doing his job every day with maximum effort and doing whatever he needs to do to contribute to the team’s success.

“Basically my mindset is picking up where I left off,” Johnson said. “I’m grateful be here, blessed to be back. I’m just going to keep coming in everyday, going to work, give 110 percent …. whatever this team needs me to do, I’m going to do it regardless.”

Johnson Had Big Moments For Bucs

Bucs WR Tyler Johnson – Photo by USA TODAY Sports

Johnson doesn’t just bring experience and knowledge of the system, he’s made some crucial plays for the Bucs in big moments. As a rookie, he made critical drive sustain catches during the 2020 playoff run. He has chemistry with Tom Brady and has the big game experience that could be beneficial come the playoffs.

“He’s a guy that’s been in tough times with us,” Leftwich. “He’s been in the good times [and] the bad times with us. He’s a guy that Tom knows well, we all know well. The most important part: he’s been in the huddle in championship games – he’s been in the huddle in playoff games, so he knows what it takes. It’s good to have him back.”

Johnson’s chemistry with Brady could go a long way to seeing him active on Sundays sooner than later. He realizes the opportunity he has and how his past experiences with the team can help him ascend to the active roster and help contribute. Right now Johnson is just focusing on doing his job to make that happen.

“I’m pretty sure that goes a long way,” Johnson said. “My job everyday whenever I come in here is to be where I need to be when I’m supposed to be there. I want to keep putting good stuff on tape and just let everybody know that I want to be out there on the field.”

Is Johnson The Answer For Bucs At WR?

Bucs WR Tyler Johnson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

On a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said the Bucs have remained in contact with Odell Beckham Jr. However, Bowles’ recent comments suggest that bringing someone in and having them learn the system and get up to speed was going to be a tough task. Where Beckham Jr. likely won’t be ready until late November, bringing in someone who has experience in the system was paramount.

“It was important – like I said, we liked him in the summer,” Bowles said. “We liked him in the summer. Bringing in a new guy to learn the system would have [taken] a few more weeks so we needed a guy that already knew the system.”

Don’t expect the Bucs to be in hot pursuit in the Beckham Jr. sweepstakes, as they appear to be set with the addition of Johnson. The third-year wide receiver has made some big plays for the Bucs – from the Saints to the Packers games in the 2020 playoff run, he’s shown he can make plays when the lights are the brightest. And he just might have his number called sooner than later to give the offense a boost down the stretch.

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