While the talk entering the offseason was about how the Bucs would look to improve the secondary with external additions, much of the improvement begins internally. Injuries to cornerback Jamel Dean as well as safeties Antoine Winfield Jr. and rookie Tykee Smith affected the defense’s ability to make plays last season.
They each missed time, but the one player who remained healthy and played in every game was cornerback Zyon McCollum. Year-over-year, McCollum went from being a spot starter to a full-time starter and started to produce as such. Tampa Bay’s No. 1 corner took time to appear on Wednesday’s Pewter Report Podcast and shared how he believes the team’s defensive backs can come away with more footballs this season.
Head coach Todd Bowles made it clear at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine that he wants ballhawks. That starts by staying healthy but extends to building chemistry and trust on the field.
Zyon McCollum Recognizes Bucs’ Secondary “Fell Short” Coming Away With Interceptions
Zyon McCollum had high expectations of himself entering last season, throwing out the lofty goal of recording six interceptions. After recording his first two NFL interceptions in six games, it appeared he could get there.
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today
Alas, McCollum and the team fell short of taking away the football enough to change the outcome of more games, including during a 23-20 defeat to the Commanders in the Wild Card round. The Bucs’ secondary as a whole had six interceptions, with the now fourth-year cornerback being tied with safety Tykee Smith for the team lead with two picks apiece.
It is hard for McCollum to believe things played out that way.
“Probably would have thought you were joking [laughs],” McCollum said. “Especially after being such a big emphasis for me and everybody as a defense to get those takeaways. It definitely was something where we fell short and something we’re disappointed in, but also, we have an understanding of all the different things we had gone through and all the different pieces that were getting plugged in every single week, the changing of the guard.”
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum and head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
After drafting Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish last month, the hope is that they — along with the returning starters — remain healthy and contribute when they see the field. The influx of young talent will help against injuries, but whoever is on the field needs to step up.
“There has to be an understanding of next man up in terms of everybody who is on the field needs to play like an All-Pro, needs to play like a starter, at least adopt that mindset and really go after the ball,” McCollum added. “When we’re playing together, when everybody trusts each other, then that just frees up the mind to be able to make some big plays like that.”
Zyon McCollum Wants Bucs’ Secondary To “Go Out There And Die For Each Other”
Everyone that follows the Bucs knows that the offensive line room is special.
Why is that?
Because everyone in that room trusts each other.
They are a “Band of Brothers” through and through, spending time in the offseason hanging out together. That chemistry carries over to the gridiron as they band together around a common goal on Sundays. Zyon McCollum recognizes that and wants the secondary to do the same to elevate its play.
Bucs CBs Zyon McCollum and Jamel Dean and CBs coach Kevin Ross – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
“It starts just with cohesion and togetherness within the group,” McCollum said about how to change the status quo entering this season. “I think the safeties, the corners, and the nickels are going to start meeting and being with each other a lot more and practicing together a lot more. There’s going to be a little less division in that aspect. When everybody is trusting everybody next to you, you’re able to play at the high level, to play really, really fast.
“It’s going to be a lot of that cohesion and togetherness is where we need to take that next step from this defense becoming a complete unit. I see in media and in the locker room the offensive line is probably the closest group of guys I have been around since I’ve been playing sports. Us as a team can learn from that. I feel like this is such a close locker room as it is and it’s such a good culture for everybody. Just be themselves and the O-Line, they take it up a notch. These guys will die for each other.”
There is plenty of time for the secondary to follow suit.
Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
OTAs will be starting later this month with mandatory mini-camp being about a month away. Then, things really heat up (literally) in late July during training camp. Each practice serves as an opportunity to build cohesion, but the competition of several players fighting for starting spots will bring the best out of each defensive back.
Ultimately, McCollum wants to see that make guys ready to fight for one another.
“Having that rub off on the rest of the guys and the rest of the locker room in terms of us coming together as a cohesive unit and a group to where we’re willing to go out there and die for each other to make these plays,” McCollum added. “Competition in OTAs and in training camp, that’s always the best in my opinion.
“There’s no better practice competing at a high level, good on good, best on best. When the intensity is at the highest, everybody’s adrenaline is pumping the most. Being able to practice and simulate games like that is going to be a tremendous help.”
Watch Bucs CB Zyon McCollum On The Pewter Report Podcast
Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum was a special guest on the Pewter Report Podcast for a second time in what was also our 1,000th episode! McCollum had plenty more to say during his hour-long appearance about what his goals are this season and how he wants the secondary to improve. Be sure to give it a watch below: