Buccaneers make a very unexpected move on cutdown day
When it comes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster cuts, the hardest position to predict since Day 1 has been the receiver room. This is because the Buccaneers have their top-4 receivers set in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, and Julio Jones. Then, it was widely assumed -although not guaranteed- Tyler Johnson would claim […]
When it comes to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' roster cuts, the hardest position to predict since Day 1 has been the receiver room.
This is because the Buccaneers have their top-4 receivers set in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, and Julio Jones. Then, it was widely assumed -although not guaranteed- Tyler Johnson would claim the WR5, leaving possibly just one spot open for about a dozen potential candidates.
Well, there's a reason assumptions are looked down upon. And that was reinforced Tuesday when the Buccaneers waived Johnson.
The Athletic's Greg Auman was the first to report the news.
Johnson had an extremely disappointing 2021 season after showing flashes of promise in 2020. However, head coach Todd Bowles talked Johnson up during training camp and the preseason and the third-year wideout looked effective as the fifth option. However, with special teams as the primary focus for the WR5/WR6 spots, it makes sense that Johnson, who doesn't play a ton of special teams, was passed over in favor of whomever the Buccaneers choose to keep.
There's still a chance Johnson rejoins the Buccaneers on the practice squad, but he'll have to clear waivers, first.
Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
