Kameron Johnson Named Special Teams Player of the Week
Kameron Johnson was named the Week 1 NFC Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance against the Falcons in the 2025 season opener. His 54-yard punt return was the longest punt return of the week, and the longest special teams return overall by an NFC player. Johnson played 12 total special teams snaps in the Bucs' win as both a returner and a gunner for a team that was third in the NFC in net yards per punt (44.0).
Jacob Parrish NFL Debut
In his NFL debut, cornerback Jacob Parrish had a standout outing against the Falcons at nickel. He primarily lined up against Casey Washington and the nine times that Parrish was the nearest defender, Michael Penix Jr. never targeted Washington with the rookie's stout coverage. Parrish nabbed several pass breakups throughout the offseason/preseason and displayed his twitchiness and change-of-direction skills in Week One. Parrish is always searching for the ball and utilizes a variety of moves to disrupt releases, evidenced against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He also quickly took down Drake London in the clash for a loss of two, rallying the defense.
"Parrish is a stud," said Baker Mayfield on the Players' Table Show. "He does some things as a rookie nickel that you don't expect a rookie to do. Normally, young guys are like, 'Ok, this is my job, this is my coverage, I am supposed to play this coverage,' and he is over here messing with my eyes showing one thing and bouncing out to another so, that just made it really hard."
Ben Bredeson Intro at Center
Ben Bredeson made his first start at center for the Buccaneers against the Falcons and was the highest-graded offensive player for the Buccaneers per Pro Football Focus with a 71.6 grade. He did not allow a single sack or hit during the clash and gave up a single pressure in his debut in the interior of Tampa Bay's line on 38 pass-blocking snaps. Prior to the Week One season opener, the Bucs made a decision to shuffle the offensive line and the switchup paid dividends. Second-year player Graham Barton moved out to left tackle from center and Bredeson slid from his post at left guard to center. Michael Jordan, a late-summer addition who was elevated from the practice squad for the Week One matchup, filled in at left guard. Bredeson helped anchor the offensive line against a divisional foe and displayed his competitive disposition in the trenches.
Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Emeka Egbuka ability in Pass Protection
With the offensive line shuffle, the Bucs' running backs and receivers played a key role in pass protection, extending time for Baker Mayfield to get the ball off. Rookie Emeka Egbuka helped spark the Irving touchdown in the third quarter. He picked up linebacker Kaden Ellis on a chip and delayed him for Mayfield to get the ball to Irving, who was wide open in the flat. Irving picked up a blitz of Leonard Floyd through the B-gap and allowed Mayfield time to find Sterling Shepard coming across the middle of the field. White also stepped up at the line, saving Mayfield from being sacked and taking a massive hit when Divine Deablo shot up the middle like a missile on a free rush. He looped inside and White met him in the hole, showcasing elite awareness and reaction time to halt the linebacker's momentum.
