Buccaneers Officially Sign Veteran Rival`s Top Starter On a Stunning Deal
Although the primary wide receivers for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, continue to excel against opposing defenses, the team has struggled with its depth at the position.
Injuries have plagued the Buccaneers’ receiving corps, forcing them to rely on players they hadn’t originally planned to use.
To bolster their options for quarterback Baker Mayfield, the team recently signed veteran wide receiver Marquez Callaway to the practice squad on October 16.
Callaway is entering his fifth NFL season, having spent his first four with the New Orleans Saints, a rival in the NFC South.
Buccaneers Officially Sign Veteran Rival`s Top Starter On a Stunning Deal
According to CBS Sports, “Callaway spent the offseason with the Steelers but was released at the start of training camp. He then sought another chance in New Orleans, where he had previously played, but didn’t make it past the final roster cuts. Now, as a member of another NFC South team, he aims to make an impact in Tampa.”
The Buccaneers are currently 4-2 as they prepare for a Week 7 Monday Night Football matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Callaway Went Undrafted After All-SEC Career
After going undrafted, Marquez Callaway earned All-SEC honors as a punt returner at Tennessee, where he recorded 91 receptions for 1,633 yards and 13 touchdowns over his final three seasons.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had predicted Callaway would not be selected in the 2020 draft.
He noted, “He’s a natural pass-catcher with excellent ball skills and adds value as a punt returner, but he needs to refine his routes and demonstrate that he can contribute beyond being an occasional deep threat to secure a spot in the NFL.”
Callaway joined the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2020, where he played both wide receiver and punt returner. In 2021, he achieved career highs with 46 receptions, 698 receiving yards, and 6 touchdowns.
Over his first four seasons, Callaway appeared in 45 games, starting 17, while accumulating 1,312 all-purpose yards and 7 touchdowns.
Buccaneers Have Dealt With Rash of Injuries
The Buccaneers are fortunate to have two former NFL All-Pros and Pro Bowlers in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, who have been standout performers. Together, they’ve amassed 68 receptions for 821 yards and an impressive 10 touchdowns through the first six games, with each contributing 5 touchdowns.
However, beyond these two, the receiving corps has faced significant challenges. Backups Rakim Jarrett, Trey Palmer, and Kameron Johnson have all struggled with injuries, limiting their contributions.
Rookie Jalen McMillan has been one of the biggest disappointments so far. After a standout training camp, McMillan earned the role of the third starting wide receiver following his selection in the third round (No. 92 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. He even scored a 32-yard touchdown in the season opener against the Washington Commanders.
Since then, McMillan has missed two games due to a hamstring injury and has managed only 2 receptions for 27 yards in five games, including a game without any catches on one target in his return from injury during a Week 6 victory over the Saints.
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