The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play their 50th season in 2025, extending a rich history that includes two Super Bowl championships, multiple figures inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and countless moments that live on forever in the memory of Buccaneers fans. While the 50th season gives the Buccaneers organization and its fans an opportunity to celebrate all of its significant achievements of the past, it is also an optimistic look forward at what is yet to come for the NFL's 27th franchise.
As the Buccaneers continue to chase championships and set new team records, it will find that the bar has been set very high in many categories. As we prepare for the arrival of Tampa Bay's 50th season, we will be looking at some of the most impressive team and individual achievements over the first 49 years. Today, we count down the top five receiving performances by Buccaneer pass-catchers.
Receiving stats can be ranked by either catches or yards, and both are worth tracking, but yards are generally considered more important. A six-catch, 200-yard outing is generally going to benefit an offense more than a 12-catch, 60-yard performance. For the record, though, the top single-game receptions total in Bucs history belongs to Chris Godwin, who had 15 grabs at Atlanta on Dec. 5, 2021. Next on the list are Earnest Graham with 13 (at Detroit, Oct. 21, 2007) and James Wilder also with 13 (vs. Minnesota, Sept. 15, 1985).
Choosing to rank these games by yardage also gives us a perfect top five, as there have been exactly five games of 200-plus yards in franchise history (so far). Two of those belong to a certain Hall of Famer-to-be who is still on the roster.
View images from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Phase 2 Week 3 Workouts on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025.
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Jalen McMillan #15 and Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Trey Palmer #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 and Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Tight End Ko Kieft #41 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Tight End Devin Culp #82 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Running Back Josh Williams #37 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Center Graham Barton #62 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Garrett Greene #85 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Logan Hall #90 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Jose Ramirez #33 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Outside Linebacker David Walker #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Dvon J-Thomas #73 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Roberts #95 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Calijah Kancey #94 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Tight End Payne Durham #87 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Linebacker Anthony Walker #3 and Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Cornerback Jacob Parrish #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Trey Palmer #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #9 and Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Safety Shilo Sanders #28 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore and Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #83 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Quarterback Kyle Trask #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Running Back Sean Tucker #44 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Running Back D.J. Williams #30 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - May 22, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Phase 2 workouts at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Tori Richman/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Top Five Receiving Yardage Games in Buccaneers History
1. Vincent Jackson, 216 yards, vs. New Orleans, Oct. 21, 2012
The signing of Jackson in 2012 proved to be one of the best free agency decisions the franchise has ever made. Jackson had already recorded three 1,000-yard seasons and been to two Pro Bowls with the Chargers, and he showed no signs of slowing down in his age-29 season when he got to Tampa. Jackson would tack on three more 1,000-yard campaigns over the next three years.
In his Buccaneers debut season in 2012, Jackson set a career-high with 1,384 yards, averaging a league-best 19.2 per catch and scoring eight touchdowns while catching passes from Josh Freeman. During that season, Jackson's high-water mark was a seven-catch, 216-yard outburst in a shootout loss to the Saints at Raymond James Stadium. That broke a Buccaneers yardage record that had stood for a quarter-century.
This game also included the longest reception in team history…but unfortunately the longest non-scoring play, too. Midway through the third quarter, with the home team trailing, 28-21, and holding the ball at its own four, Freeman found Jackson wide open down the left sideline. Jackson rumbled for 95 yards but was caught at the Saints' one-yard line by Malcolm Jenkins. The Saints' defense followed with a remarkable goal-line stand and the Bucs eventually lost, 35-28. Jackson also had catches of 38 and 28 yards in the game.
2. Mark Carrier, 212 yards, at New Orleans, Dec. 6, 1987
Carrier's 1,422-yard breakout season came in his third year, but it was during his rookie campaign that the former third-round pick became the first Buccaneer ever to post a 200-yard receiving game. Prior to that outing against the Saints, the Bucs' single-game record was 178 yards by Kevin House all the way back in 1981.
Like Jackson's game above, this one occurred during a shootout loss to the Saints, though this time in New Orleans with a final score of 44-34. Carrier was Vinny Testaverde's favorite target, accounting for 212 of the quarterback's 369 passing yards on eight receptions. That included a 38-yard touchdown in the third quarter that sparked an ultimately unsuccessful comeback after the Bucs fell behind, 38-10. Carrier had six of his catches for 157 yards during that second-half rally.
3. Mike Evans, 209 yards, at Washington, Nov. 16, 2014
Evans' franchise records, huge games and impacts on the NFL's all-time lists over his first 11 seasons are almost too many to number, but his single-best yardage day came during his rookie campaign. Unlike the two games above, this one was a runaway Bucs victory, with Evans playing a key role.
The seventh-overall pick in the 2014 draft, Evans had plenty of big games on the way to the first of his 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, but he didn't really stand out on the NFL's radar until back-to-back games with 124 and 125 yards in Weeks Nine and 10. Then, in Week 11, he exploded for 209 yards and two touchdowns on seven catches at Washington, sparking a 27-7 victory.
The game was still close at halftime, but Josh McCown found the talented rookie for touchdowns of 36 and 56 yards in the second half to help the Bucs pull away for one of their only two victories that season. Evans accounted for 73% of McCown's passing yards on the day as he averaged 29.9 yards per reception.
4. Mike Evans, 207 yards, vs. Carolina, Jan. 1, 2023
Nine years later, Evans just missed breaking his own top yardage mark and became the only player in franchise history with multiple 200-yard receiving games. This performance also came in a Buccaneers victory, but the stakes were much, much higher and Evans' impact on the outcome was even greater.
Heading into a Week 17 home showdown with the Panthers, the Buccaneers had a one-game lead over both the Panthers and the Saints, with the NFC South very much up for grabs. The visiting team looked like they might shake up the standings when Carolina took a 21-10 lead in the early seconds of the fourth quarter. That's when Tom Brady went back to chucking up deep balls to Evans, who had already caught a 65-yard touchdown pass shortly before halftime. Evans scored twice more, from 57 and 30 yards, with all three on passes down the right sideline.
The Bucs held on to win 30-24 and clinch the division, while Evans caught 10 passes and became the only player in franchise history to put together a game with 200 receiving yards and three scores.
5. Antonio Bryant, 200 yards, at Carolina, Dec. 8, 2008
Bryant's 2008 season in Tampa proved to be one of the biggest anomalies in franchise history, though there was no doubt that he was a very talented player. Originally a second-round pick by Dallas in 2002, Bryant played for the Cowboys, Browns and 49ers over the next five years but had only one 1,000-yard receiving campaign. He was suspended for a substance abuse violation towards the end of 2006 and did not play in 2007 before signing for the veteran minimum with the Buccaneers in 2008.
What followed was an 83-catch, 1,248-yard season that was so promising it prompted the Buccaneers to give him the franchise tag in 2009. After another 39 catches and 600 yards amid injuries that season, Bryant's NFL career came to an end.
His biggest day as a Buccaneer was in Week Eight at Carolina. Catching passes from Jeff Garcia, Bryant racked up nine receptions for exactly 200 yards and two touchdowns. It wasn't enough to stave off a 38-23 defeat, but Bryant did help the Buccaneers fight to the finish. Trailing 31-17 in the fourth quarter, the Bucs got to Carolina's 15, where Garcia made a scrambling throw in Bryant's direction in the end zone. The pass was hard and low and almost out of reach but the receiver made a completely-extended dive and hauled the pass in with only his left hand. That got Tampa Bay within one score but the Panthers eventually prevailed, 38-23.
