Report: Buccaneers Make Surprising Wide Receiver Cut

In a shocking turn of events, the Buccaneers' have decided to move on from their most productive receiving during the preseason.

It appears as though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are cutting ties with wide receiver, Tyler Johnson. 

Here's a big and surprising cut: Bucs are waiving receiver Tyler Johnson today.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 30, 2022

Johnson was a fifth-round pick (161st overall) by the Bucs in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was a star at the University of Minnesota. During his senior season there, he set a number of season records for the Golden Gophers, including receptions (86), receiving yards (1,318), and receiving touchdowns (13).

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Despite sliding all the way to the fifth round, Johnson was viewed as a potential impact player for the Bucs, and someone the front office and coaching staff were very high on. 

In a limited opportunity, Johnson showed plenty of flashes during his rookie season. Including a massive first down conversion vs. the New Orleans Saints in the Divisional Round Playoff Game. 

In 2021, with the Buccaneers' receiving corps decimated by injury, Johnson was thrust into a more prominent role. It was an opportunity that many predicted he would take advantage of. 

Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. 

In his expanded role, Johnson showed an inability to create separation, a propensity for dropped balls, and a tendency to play apprehensively when running routes over the middle of the field. It was a frustrating season for those who had big expectations for Johnson, and surely for him as well. 

READ MORE: Former Buccaneers First Round Pick Released by Buffalo

So it was a pleasant surprise for Bucs fans, when this preseason, Johnson was undoubtedly the team's most dangerous weapon at the wide receiver position. Johnson produced 11 catches for 133 yards, over the course of the preseason, including six catches for 73 yards in the team's first game vs. the Miami Dolphins. 

Based on his improved play, many (myself included), expected Johnson to have all but locked up a spot on the Bucs' final-53 man roster. 

Tyler Johnson has been the Bucs’ best receiver throughout this preseason. Encouraging to see, no question, but he’ll need to prove he can do it when the real lights come on this season. #GoBucs

— Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers) August 28, 2022

Based on his talent, and improved play throughout training camp and the preseason – even with so much competition at the wide receiver position – the Bucs' decision to waive Tyler Johnson is a surprising move. 

Greg Auman of The Athletic, not only broke the news of the Bucs intention to do so, but also offered some logical insight related to the timing of the news.

Part of me wonders if Bucs making it known that WR Tyler Johnson has been informed he's being waived might get another NFL team to realize value and send Tampa Bay a late-round pick. That's the logical reason to get news out there five hours before deadline.

— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 30, 2022

We'll be monitoring the situation closely over the next few hours to see if any other news breaks relating to Tyler Johnson's departure from the team. 

Is this good news for Scotty Miller? Deven Thompkins? Kaelon Geiger? One would have to assume it is. The bigger question is, which (and how many) of those players are going to benefit from this surprising move by the Bucs. 

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