“The Talent Was Always There”
October 13th, 2025
Tez Johnson was ready again to contribute.
Joe has to believe when it was announced people started running to the bathroom to heave.
Bad enough Mike Evans was out. Bad enough Chris Godwin was out. But now Emeka Egbuka, who has been having a rookie season like very few other receivers have ever had, was out with a bad hamstring.
Who was Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield going to throw to?
Turns out the Bucs had that covered. The bottom two receivers on the depth chart, Kameron Johnson and Tez Johnson (no relation) didn’t just step up, they both scored touchdowns in the 30-19 win over the 49ers. Take away their contribution and the Bucs lose.
After the game, Bucs coach Todd Bowles said he always had faith in the Johnsons, so long as they know their jobs.
“Tez and Kam really stepped up tonight,” Bowles said. “[They] came into their own. The talent was always there, just understanding the offense more. Those guys can play.”
Not only do Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and his staff deserve massive credit for finding these guys — Kam Johnson played football at tiny Barton College — but Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and his staff deserve equal amounts of roses for having these guys ready to play.
It was borderline panic time for the Bucs when Egbuka went down. But, like good teams do, two guys were ready to step in and contribute, Kam and Tez Johnson, who had 4 catches for 59 yards last week.
“We feel like we are very deep in that room,” Bowles said. “[We] cannot afford to lose any more, but we feel like we are very deep in that room, and I thought those two guys did a hell of a job tonight.”
Great job by Kam and Tez Johnson. But props also should go to Licht and Grizzard for doing their parts.