Jamel Dean Named NFC Defensive Player of the Week
The NFL announced that Bucs' cornerback Jamel Dean was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week for Week Six. In Tampa Bay's 30-19 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium, Dean recorded an interception, a sack, a forced fumble, four tackles (one for loss), a pass defensed and a quarterback hit. He became the first cornerback to record each an interception, sack and forced fumble in a single game since Week Seven of the 2024 season (Cobie Durant) and was the first NFC defender at any position to accomplish that feat in 2025. Dean's sack in Week Six marked the first of his NFL career. After studying the team's pass rushers and watching Antoine Winfield Jr. do the same on blitzes, Dean lowered his shoulder around the edge as he took down Mac Jones, mirroring his teammates.
"On the blitz play, I realized I had one guy to beat and I was just trying to hurry up to get to his hip so I could bend the corner and then once I realized that Mac Jones did not get the ball out in time, I thought, 'This is my opportunity,'" said Dean.
Dean currently leads the team and is tied for fifth in the NFL with two interceptions this season and among all defenders with 15-plus targets this season, Dean's 20.8 passer rating when targeted is the best mark in the NFL, per Next Gen Stats. Additionally, his 42.1% completion rate allowed when targeted is tied for the second-lowest among all qualified players, while his 1.4 average yards of separation per target is tied with Pat Surtain II for the second-best mark in the NFL, trailing only Sauce Gardner (1.3). He becomes the first Tampa Bay cornerback to win the award since Pro Football Hall of Famer Rondé Barber (2012), who claimed the recognition eight times during his storied career.
Throughout the offseason, Dean prioritized catching the ball while on the move using the JUGS machine to help with ball-tracking and the muscle memory has paid dividends. He has helped solidify the back end in 2025, showcasing his ability to crowd receivers along the boundary, accelerate to top speed and sink with outstanding short-area change of direction.
Kevin Carberry on Connection Between O-Line and Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has occupied headlines in 2025 for his improvisation skills and scrambling ability. His jaw-dropping 15-yard scramble from third-and-14 against the 49ers in Week Six monopolized the internet as the Bucs' signal-caller was dead to rights, yet somehow evaded the sack and juked multiple defenders, spinning his way and reaching out his arm to secure the critical first down. His theatrics and ability to extend plays are not a novelty and the Tampa Bay offensive line extends blocks for Mayfield to either take off using his feet or get the ball to his target downfield after being flushed. The tandem has allowed the Bucs to field the best start to a season in franchise history.
"You have to strain in pass protection because yes, Baker keeps plays alive and moves his feet and we have to strain through the down and keep moving our feet in protection and find ways to stay fit," noted Bucs Run Game Coordinator/Offenisve Line Coach Kevin Carberry. "Every inch matters if you could just bump a guy, pass one way or the other or stay firm in the pocket, he will find a sweet spot to either make a throw or scramble, and then I think everybody, not just the offensive line, respects his competitive nature, his demeanor, the way he is with the team … natural gel with Baker and the offensive line."
Bryan McClendon on Tez Johnson's Explosives
Rookie Tez Johnson scored his first career touchdown against the Niners, a 45-yard score off a seam route. The first-year player saw that the safety did not have enough depth, adjusted his route and threw up his hand to signal Mayfield. Johnson's touchdown punctuated the victory and his flip in the end zone encapsulates his contagious energy. He holds Oregon's No.1 and No.2 spots for most single-season catches and Johnson is electric before and after the catch. He can stop-and-start on a dime and has explosive burst in the open field. Johnson can accelerate on command and is a YAC-threat off screens, sweeps and end-arounds. He has added another dimension to the Bucs' offense and is another weapon that defenses have to account for. While Mike Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka have been sidelined due to injury, Johnson has stepped up.
"The first thing that jumped off about Tez when you watched him in college is his ability to create explosive plays," said Wide Receiver Coach Bryan McClendon. "Defenses are way too good to go eight, nine, ten plays in a row without you screwing up something on offense right now and you are not going to be able to score every time. You need guys and are constantly looking for guys right now that can create those explosive plays on their own and that was something that jumped off about Tez. He did it versus everybody, no matter where he was at."
