New leaders emerge in Tampa Bay Buccaneers' receiving corps. With Evans gone, Godwin and McMillan aim to recapture elite form, fueling optimism.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter the 2026 season with a new No. 1 receiver for the first time in 12 years following Mike Evans’ departure.
Evans signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers, embarking on what the future Hall of Famer called a new "challenge."
The rest of the Buccaneers' receiving corps -- Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan -- remains intact.
At the NFL's annual owners meeting this week in Phoenix, Arizona, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles expressed his optimism in his wideouts in an interview Monday with Pewter Report.
"I'm just happy he's [Godwin] going to be healthy coming in this spring. I don't think he's had a good spring the last two seasons, he's been trying to come off of injury, so it's important," Bowles said. "I think it starts us off on a good foot, and I think you'll see the Chris that we've all seen in the past, getting 1,000 yards."
Godwin was limited by injury his past two seasons, rehabbing from a brutal lower leg injury suffered in Week 7 of the 2024 season. His numbers dropped, totaling only 83 catches for 936 yards in 16 appearances across the two campaigns.
Prior to his injury, Godwin racked up three straight seasons of 1,000 yards or more, while serving as one of the NFL's most consistent wideouts.
McMillan also dealt with injuries last season, keeping him to just four appearances. McMillan suffered a neck injury in training camp, which sidelined him for the team's first 14 games.
In Week 17, McMillan got back to old form, exploding for nine receptions for a career-high 114 yards. This is a promising sign for McMillan, who might enter the season as Tampa's WR3.
In his rookie campaign, McMillan had a similar end to the season, catching his stride in the final five games. McMillan hauled in 24 catches for 316 yards and 7 touchdowns over the Buccaneers' final five games, helping them win a fourth-straight NFC South title.
McMillan tallied 50 or more yards and a touchdown in five straight contests, a milestone that has only been achieved by one other rookie in NFL history, Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
Bowles spoke about his excitement of having McMillan back, crediting 6-foot-1, 192-pounder for playing bigger than he is.
"He doesn’t have a 6-5 frame, but he plays like he’s 6-5. He has a very good catch radius," Bowles said. "With Chris coming back, and him coming back not just at the end of the season along with (Emeka), we feel like we got a good three."
Second-year receiver Emeka Egbuka rounds out Tampa's current receiving trio, entering his sophomore season after an impressive rookie campaign.
Egbuka totaled a team-high 938 receiving yards on 63 catches, while adding six scores. The Bucs' No. 19 overall selection burst onto the scene, recording 282 receiving yards and four touchdowns in his first four professional bouts.
For his efforts, Egbuka was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month in September, becoming the first Buc to win the award.
Despite losing Evans in free agency, Godwin's experience, alongside Egbuka's and McMillan's youth, should provide the Bucs with a formidable passing game on the outside.
Second-year wideout Tez Johnson will also have an increased role after finding the end zone five times last season.
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