Jalen McMillan enters the 2026 season with an opportunity to take on a larger role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense following Mike Evans’ departure to the San Francisco 49ers.
The young receiver’s path to this moment has not been easy. During a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, McMillan suffered a serious neck injury that included three fractured vertebrae and two herniated discs. The injury limited him to just four games during the 2025 season.
“I had to sit in my bed and wonder, is my neck going to heal properly,” McMillan told reporters at OTAs. “As soon as I got the chance to play again, I knew I couldn’t look back and there was no time to be nervous.”
McMillan returned to action in Week 14 against the Atlanta Falcons and quickly showed what he could bring to Tampa Bay’s offense. Two games later, he recorded the first 100-yard game of his career, catching seven passes for 114 yards against the Miami Dolphins. He finished the final two weeks of the season with 12 receptions for 178 yards.
“I don’t take any contact for granted, so life has been good,” McMillan said.
The Buccaneers’ confidence in McMillan is also based on what he accomplished before the injury. During his rookie season in 2024, he totaled 37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. Seven of those touchdowns came during his final five games of the season.
That scoring streak tied Mike Evans and Jimmie Giles for the most touchdowns during any five-game span in franchise history and matched Ja’Marr Chase for the only such run that year.
With Evans gone, Tampa Bay is looking for stability on the outside. Chris Godwin remains in the slot, while Emeka Egbuka is expected to see significant work at Z receiver. McMillan now has an opportunity to establish himself in a larger role.
Head coach Todd Bowles has consistently praised McMillan’s resilience and work ethic throughout his recovery. As the Buccaneers continue adjusting to changes across the roster, McMillan’s development will be an important storyline heading into the season.
Tampa Bay’s plans following Evans’ departure will depend in part on whether McMillan can successfully transition into a regular role, something that was already beginning to take shape before his injury shortened the 2025 campaign.
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