Zyon McCollum is in a better position to take on more responsibility in the Buccaneers defense and it can boost the secondary
Zyon McCollum is coming off a down year that featured both inconsistent play and a season-ending injury. He’s ready to bounce back in 2026 and that could feature more responsibility that would help the Buccaneers secondary.
There’s zero question Zyon McCollum, like most of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense, struggled in 2025.
It was a tough year that concluded early due to a season-ending wrist injury. However, the page has since been turned and McCollum is ready to get back to the level of play that earned him his three-year, $48 million extension last year.
McCollum is slated to be one of the Buccaneers’ starting outside corners and he’s currently the best CB on the roster. Therefore, it’s up to him to set the standard and make sure the secondary is doing all the right things both before and after the snap.
There’s also a chance McCollum is moved around a bit more in 2026, due to the questions at the other outside spot and the nickel position.
Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison, and Keionte Scott are all expected to fit into the plan at those two positions to a certain, respective extent. However, don’t rule out the idea of McCollum moving inside when needed. And the best part is, not only has he done it before, but he knows he’s in a much better spot to provide effective snaps.
“I mean, playing safety early on in my career, and a little bit of nickel for me, I see the field differently now,” McCollum told reporters during week two of OTAs. “I understand the defense differently. I’m able to slide inside, I can go back, I can stay outside out corner, and kind of feel at home, no matter where I am, you know?
“And that’s credit to [coach] Bowles. Bowles and I have been getting a lot of work in, and me understanding the mechanics of the defense, and the way that, and why he’s calling it. So for me being able to match up, and all those different type of aspects, we have a lot of guys that can do that.”
Bowles has already talked about using dime packages more thanks to the new personnel in the secondary. There’s definitely a world where McCollum, Morrison, Parrish, Scott, Tykee Smith, and Antoine Winfield Jr. are all on the field at once and lined up in different areas.
McCollum’s ability to play all three positions (outside, nickel, safety) can help Bowles draw up all kinds of plays that allow the Buccaneers secondary to creat optimal matchups. The same goes with Scott, Smith, and Parrish who’ve all shown they can play multiple positions, as well.
When considering all the different things guys can do on this defense, it’s hard to argue against the idea that the Buccaneers have one of the more unique and impactful rosters on the defensive side of the ball. How Bowles puts it all together will be fascinating to monitor as it unfolds.