Bucs Pledge Confidence in Emeka Egbuka After Costly Drop, Vow to Keep Targeting Him

Overview

• Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said the staff has "all the confidence in the world" in Egbuka and plans to get him the ball early, often, and in late-game situations.
• After averaging 89.0 yards over the first five games, Egbuka has produced 45.1 yards per game across the last eight with targets rising from 7.6 to 9 per game and a 40.3% catch rate in that span, per Next Gen Stats.
• Egbuka dropped a potential tying touchdown late in a 24-20 loss to the Saints and said, "I'm on this team for one reason, and that's to catch the ball, and I didn't."
• Tampa Bay has dropped four of its last five games, scored 20 or fewer points in three straight, and is trying to hold off the Panthers in the NFC South race as Baker Mayfield has not reached 200 passing yards in four games.
• Coaches note he has handled multiple receiver spots as injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan increased his workload, with the Bucs expecting healthier options heading into Thursday's divisional game against Atlanta.