Rookie Tez Johnson Locks Spot on Buccaneers Roster After Preseason Surge

When Tez Johnson, a 23‑year‑old wide receiver from the University of Oregon, earned a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 53‑man roster on August 30, 2025, fans finally got a glimpse of why the hype was real. The announcement came at 10:12 PM EST, after a two‑game preseason that saw the rookie catch 12 passes for 82 yards and add a 34‑yard punt return to his résumé.

Preseason Performance That Turned Heads

Johnson missed the season‑opening preseason game against the Tennessee Titans on August 10 because of a minor ankle tweak, but he made up for the lost snap with a flash of brilliance in the next two outings. On August 17 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he hauled in four catches for 24 yards and sprinted down the field for a 34‑yard punt return that left Steelers’ special‑teams coach scrambling for a play‑call.

Just twelve days later, the Buccaneers hosted the Buffalo Bills at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Johnson was targeted on every snap he ran, finishing with eight receptions on eight targets for 58 yards and a go‑ahead touchdown that capped a 20‑point second‑quarter surge. The crowd gave him a standing ovation – a rare honor for a seventh‑round pick.

Statistically, his 12‑catch haul topped the entire Buccaneers preseason line, edging out veteran Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka. Yet it wasn’t just the raw numbers; coaches praised his ability to slip into tight windows and make defenders miss, a skill that usually takes years to develop at the pro level.

Coaches and Management Speak Out

Head coach Todd Bowles lauded Johnson’s "instinctive route running" during the post‑game press conference at the AdventHealth Training Center. "He reacts like a seasoned pro," Bowles said, gesturing toward the defensive backs who were left grasping at air.

Wide‑receivers coach Bryan McClendon took a deeper dive, noting during the Week 7 press conference on October 15 that Johnson’s "big‑play ability" is exactly what the Buccaneers need to stretch defenses across the field. "When you have a quarterback like Baker Mayfield who trusts his receivers, you see the confidence ripple through the whole offense," McClendon added.

General manager Jason Licht confirmed the roster cut‑down decision, emphasizing that Johnson’s "lightning quickness" translated directly from his three‑year tenure with Oregon (2022‑2024) to the pros, despite his modest 4.62‑second 40‑yard dash at the February Combine in Indianapolis.

Director of player personnel Autry Denson echoed the sentiment, highlighting Johnson’s ability to thrive in «tight spaces» during camp drills – a trait that scouts noted as a differentiator for undersized receivers.

Depth Chart Shuffle and Injury Fallout

The Buccaneers entered the regular season with a crowded receiver room, but injuries have already reshaped the pecking order. Starting veteran Jalen McMillan, aged 23, landed on Injured Reserve after a neck injury on August 29, while proven play‑maker Chris Godwin is projected to miss at least the first month with an ankle issue.

That opened the door for Johnson, who now slots in as the sixth receiver behind Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Trey Palmer (who was released on August 27 and later signed with the New Orleans Saints), and the injured McMillan. ESPN’s roster projection on August 28 listed Johnson at the bottom of the depth chart, but fantasy analysts warned that the depth‑chart label could be misleading – preseason performance often predicts early‑season snaps, especially when the top‑two starters are sidelined.

Off‑field, the Buccaneers trimmed the wide‑receiver count to six for the opening week, down from the eight‑man group they carried in 2024. That decision reflects a strategic shift: the coaching staff wants to prioritize versatility and special‑teams contributions, areas where Johnson excels.

What This Means for the Buccaneers’ 2025 Season

The regular season kicks off on September 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM EST against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. With the Cowboys boasting a deep secondary, Johnson’s speed and route precision could be a decisive factor in the early‑season match‑up.

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen hinted that Johnson may also see time on special‑teams units, particularly as a punt returner. The 34‑yard return against the Steelers demonstrated his knack for finding seams in coverage – a skill that could help the Buccaneers improve field position against high‑powered offenses.

From a broader perspective, retaining a seventh‑round pick on the active roster signals a willingness by the Buccaneers’ front office to bet on upside rather than name‑recognition alone. If Johnson can translate his preseason momentum into regular‑season production, he could become a low‑cost, high‑reward asset that frees salary‑cap space for future free‑agent moves.

Historical Context: Lightweights in the NFL

At 165 pounds, Johnson is among the lightest players to ever make a 53‑man roster in the modern era. The only comparable cases are wide receivers like Steve Smith Sr., who played at 190 pounds, and the legendary Walt Addams, who was listed at 156 pounds in the 1930s. The NFL’s physical demands have generally pushed teams toward larger athletes, but recent rule changes emphasizing speed and space have revived interest in smaller, quicker playmakers.

Johnson’s Combine weight of 154 pounds in Indianapolis set a record for the lightest player ever measured at the event. Critics argued the size would hinder durability, yet his ability to absorb contact during the preseason – playing a full 80‑minute game after a minor injury – suggests the myth of “size equals success” is losing its grip.

Analysts from Pro Football Focus point out that lighter receivers often excel in yards after catch (YAC) metrics, a statistic the Buccaneers have struggled with in recent seasons. If Johnson can sustain that YAC efficiency, he could help close the gap between the Buccaneers’ passing offense and the league’s top units.