Baker Mayfield Sends Strong Message on Buccaneers Rookie Tez Johnson’s Rise
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 26: Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stiff arms Justin Reid #21 of the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter in the game at Caesars Superdome on October 26, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield had high praise for rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson following the team’s 23-3 win over the New Orleans Saints in Week 8.
The former Oregon Duck, a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, has quickly emerged as one of Mayfield’s most trusted targets amid injuries to Tampa Bay’s receiving corps.
As Sports Illustrated noted, Mayfield couldn’t stop praising his rookie receiver.
“Tez continues to make plays for us,” Mayfield said.
“He’s flying around the field, the scramble drill aspect of it, he was LIGHTS OUT. I know he wants that in-cut later in the game back, but other than that, Tez played great.”
In a season where the Buccaneers have relied on young talent to keep their offense afloat, Johnson’s consistency and maturity have stood out.
“You can tell he’s been coached well and that the moment’s never too big for him,” Mayfield added. “He prepares like a veteran.”
Johnson led the team in receiving against the Saints, hauling in five catches for 43 yards, marking his fourth straight game with over 40 receiving yards.
His performance adds to an already promising rookie campaign as he has 15 receptions, 213 yards, and two touchdowns through seven games this season.
His production has been extremely impressive for a late-round pick who’s earned increased playing time due to injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
The rookie has made the most of every opportunity.
From Oregon to the NFL
Before turning heads in Tampa, Johnson was a dynamic playmaker for the Oregon Ducks, where he spent two years under head coach Dan Lanning.
Before catching passes from Baker Mayfield in Tampa, Tez Johnson spent two seasons lighting up defenses alongside Broncos quarterback Bo Nix at Oregon.
Nix and Johnson were brothers on and off the field. Johnson was formally adopted by the Nix family after being coached by Bo’s father, Patrick Nix, in high school, and he’s lived with them since his teenage years.
It’s one of the more remarkable stories in college football, two brothers, raised under the same roof, later becoming one of the most explosive quarterback-receiver duos in the nation.
In 2023, he led the Ducks with 86 receptions for 1,182 yards and 10 touchdowns, followed by another standout season in 2024 where he posted 898 yards and 10 scores on 83 catches.
Johnson capped off his college career as Big Ten Championship Game MVP, torching Penn State for 181 yards and a touchdown in Oregon’s 45-37 win.
Johnson’s Impact on the Buccaneers’ Offense
With veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and second-year wide receiver Jalen McMillan missing time, Johnson’s emergence has been exactly what the Bucs have needed.
His ability to separate quickly off the line and find soft spots in coverage has made him a go-to option in Mayfield’s short-to-intermediate passing game.
Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard praised Johnson’s adaptability: “He plays fast, he studies hard, and he’s not afraid of the moment. For a rookie, that’s rare.”
As the Buccaneers eye a deep playoff run, Johnson’s development could be pivotal and Mayfield’s growing confidence in him could make the difference down the stretch.
“He’s one of those guys who just gets it,” Mayfield said. “When you have a rookie like that, who shows up every day ready to work, you know he’s going to be special.”
Colts Rookie Benched for Disciplinary Violation — Hasn’t Played a Single Snap After Shane Steichen’s Tough Message on Standards
The Indianapolis Colts’ seventh-round rookie wide receiver has yet to see the field this season — and head coach Shane Steichen just made it clear why.
Despite impressing during offseason workouts with his speed and versatility, the young wideout has remained on the practice squad since Week 1, with Steichen citing discipline and execution as the main reasons behind the decision.
“HE'S GOT THE TALENT, NO QUESTION. BUT IN INDIANAPOLIS, EXECUTION IS EVERYTHING. HE MISSED READS, BLEW ASSIGNMENTS, AND DIDN'T MASTER THE DETAILS. AROUND HERE, YOU DON'T EARN SNAPS WITH POTENTIAL — YOU EARN THEM BY PLAYING THE COLTS WAY.”
The rookie in question is Junior Bergen, a seventh-round pick (No. 252 overall) from Montana, who signed a four-year rookie contract shortly after the 2025 NFL Draft. Bergen flashed promise as a slot receiver and return specialist during training camp, drawing early comparisons to former Colts gadget players known for their versatility and intelligence.
However, insiders from the team’s practice sessions revealed that Bergen struggled to learn route progressions, execute assignments precisely, and adjust to the pace and complexity of Steichen’s offense — a system renowned for demanding timing, precision, and mental sharpness.
The Colts waived Bergen on August 26, 2025, only to re-sign him to the practice squad the following day — a move Steichen described as part of the development process rather than a punishment.
“He’s learning,” Steichen said. “But at this level, talent isn’t enough. You have to prove every day that you understand your job and that your teammates can trust you to execute it.”
Bergen has since worked closely with receivers coach Reggie Wayne, focusing on improving his route discipline and timing. Despite being benched from active play, team sources say the 23-year-old has shown steady progress and remains a long-term project for the Colts’ offense.
Still, Steichen’s message was unmistakable: in Indianapolis, consistency and preparation are non-negotiable. “This organization is built on accountability,” he said. “Every player here — whether it’s a Pro Bowler or a rookie — is expected to uphold that standard. Until you do, you sit.”
For Junior Bergen, the lesson is clear. The path back to the field won’t come from talent alone — it will come from mastering the details and earning the right to play the
