Jalen McMillan Says His Surge Came From Learning To Be A Pro
January 6th, 2025
Details turning the corner.
Joe likes to say rookies play like rookies because they are rookies.
It is part of the learning process of entering the NFL. Rookies often have to learn they are no longer playing the East Cornfield State squads of the world.
And from whom did Bucs rookie receiver Jalen McMillan begin learning how to be a pro? Teammates and his coaches.
McMillan’s touchdown grab yesterday, a sweet toe-tapping catch along the right sideline after adjusting when seeing Baker Mayfield was flushed, gave him seven touchdown catches in his last five games.
The last time a rookie had more consecutive games with touchdown catches was Randy Moss in 1998 — seven games.
Impressive stuff. Even more impressive is McMillan, after catching a touchdown pass in his first NFL game, the season opener against the Commandos, went seven games without a TD.
It was like McMillan, who excelled in training camp and underwear football, went into the witness protection program. Even worse, his slump came when the Bucs needed him most: when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin went down with injuries.
So what turned McMillan around? Joe spoke with the Washington product after Sunday’s win. A confident man, McMillan said he had strong support from his teammates, his position coach Bryan McClendon and Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
No one gave up on him, McMillan said.
Rather, his teammates and coaches kept pushing him. And the key, McMillan learned, was consistency. If you work consistently, daily, it will pay off.
McMillan said his recent success is a direct reflection of how he learned what it takes to enjoy success on the NFL level.
“It was all with the help of “B-Mac” [McClendon] and Coach Liam [Coen] and everybody around this building,” McMillan said. “They all believed in me. Spoke strength to me. They spoke consistency to me.
“Every day doing the same thing. I kind of did that in college but now, I’m doing it every single day. Just the same thing.
“You know, it gets boring. It gets boring. And I’m slowly realizing that is what it takes to be successful. Waking up and literally doing the same thing every single day.”
McMillan then told Joe that the support and push to raise his game from his teammates and coaches was a big factor.
“This is a testament to everybody [his faith and the team] and a testament to myself,” McMillan said of how he’s blown up lately. “It is a testament to my mentality and my work [habits].”
McMillan isn’t lacking self-confidence. But he also knows that if not for his teammates’ and coaches’ support and drive for him to be his best, he may still be the struggling receiver who was invisible for seven weeks.
This goes back to what Joe has heard Mayfield refer to several times. When he came to the Bucs he was struck by how professional everyone in the building was, and that they knew what it took to win and went about their business accordingly.
That sort of sounds like what McMillan was describing to Joe yesterday. This is how you work in order to succeed and win.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:42 am
Players also learn that from observing the example set by the HC Todd Bowles-all should realize that.
January 6th, 2025 at 11:51 am
That right there was the Tom Brady effect. This organization did not know how to win or work consistently hard before that.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:01 pm
I’ll never complain about scoring a touchdown. It was an amazing throw and catch. After rewatching the highlights today, I did see Mike Evans wide open at about the ten yard line. That would have been an easier throw and catch and would have sealed the deal on the 1000 yard season. Mike probably would have walked into the endzone as well. I’m not complaining, just making an observation is all.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
Tom Brady effect is still in effect…ie Evans, Godwin, Wirfs, LVD, AWJr, et al
January 6th, 2025 at 12:26 pm
Is this a trickle down effect of Tom Brady coming to Tampa? Something I’d love to know and I’d like to think it is.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:30 pm
I’m no expert, but…
J-Mac is showing signs that he could become an elite receiver a la Mike and Chris.
I hope it happens.
And I hope he keeps working at it every day, because it will if he does.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:32 pm
This is why the Bucs are set up to win for the long haul under Licht and his staff. The culture is night and day here from 6 years ago. There is a winning standard, a professional and hard working standard where everyone pulls the same direction or they get shown the plank.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:34 pm
While I believe in the Brady Effect, keep in mind we still have a lot of players with Super Bowl rings. That rubs off on people. While it’s not the be-all-end-all (look what happened to the Broncos after 2015) it really does help.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:35 pm
We need to resign godwin ye deserves to be a buc for life he’s earned it keep mike and him mcmillan #3 we have to win sunday by any means necessary
January 6th, 2025 at 12:38 pm
Evans commented the he thought J-Mac was one of the best route runners he’s ever been around. That’s pretty high praise. Hopefully he has a great career with the Bucs.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
We only got McMillan because he was dinged up a lot during his final year at Washington. Otherwise, he probably goes in the 1st round.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:47 pm
This is definitely the Tom Brady effect. We didn’t have any winners on this team before. He changed the coaching and player expectations here. We had a piece of the puzzle in Jason Licht and Jason brought the rest of the ingredients in to fast forward that transition of being basement dwellers to competing in the playoffs.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:49 pm
Jets requested permission to interview Mike Greenberg!! Say no or promote him NOW. Glazers have JL become team president make Mike GM Jackie Asst GM! PLEASE!
January 6th, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Good stuff, sounds good, but his rise also coincides with a healthy pair of hamstrings. I think it’s the latter that mattered the most.
January 6th, 2025 at 12:58 pm
Culture people, our team has it, hard to believe the turnaround since the car show days smh
January 6th, 2025 at 1:00 pm
It’s great to see the progress from J-Mac and that includes his blocking. You could see he was extremely upset about the big penalty on him – I feel it drove him to finish hard. I still have hopes that Palmer will keep his head up and keep working to get snaps and make plays – other than holding.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Watched the last few minutes of the game. McMillan has every reason to be confident. He’s talented, and has a bunch of great teachers in his coaches and teammates. I hope he’s also paying attention to stuff unsaid as in cheating and dirty hits. Man, between ME13, CG14, and Otton, they could teach a seminar on it. BTW, LVD was around BB (before Brady). So, were a few of the others. Anywho, Go Mighty Bucs Sunday Night!!
January 6th, 2025 at 1:19 pm
@Lokog… lot of chatter about how much Godwin deserves this, that and the other. Not sure where you were going with your comment, but it’s bad business to overpay a player, no matter how good they are when they are on the field. The problem with Chris, is that he’ll be entering his playing age 29, he’s not built like Mike Evans, he thrives in the slot, and that’s going to be hard on him. He’s now showing a trend for injury. I’m good with Chris coming back, absolutely, but let’s not pay him as if he was injured free all season. We need market value. We have other concerns at defense to address, which will help keep the haters off of Todd Bolwes’ back.
In regard to McMillan, lots of potential, I feel like we’ve seen this before, and then we’re hit with a sophomore slump, but this kid might be different. Good hands, clutch catching, toe tapping, it looks good. Where I would love to see this kid elevate himself is to get more muscle in the offseason. Be nice for him to add 10-15 lbs of muscle to his 6-2 frame. Help with the blocking down field. It would also be a clear indication that this kid means business and he wants to be more than just a WR3.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:20 pm
Palmer is running out of time. Too many mistakes and not excelling on STs. Might get pushed out by next round of rookies. It’s get better or get out in the NFL.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:21 pm
McMillan has shown a lot of potential, but I feel like we’ve seen this before, and then we’re hit with a sophomore slump. I hope this kid is different. Really good hands, clutch catching, toe tapping, it looks good. Where I would love to see this kid elevate himself is to get more muscle in the offseason. Be nice for him to add 10-15 lbs of muscle to his 6-2 frame. Help with the blocking down field. It would also be a clear indication that this kid means business and he wants to be more than just a WR3.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:27 pm
TWO THINGS:
1. That was an amazing TD catch yesterday. The play broke down and those two went total backyard football. Baker-JMAC have awesome chemistry.
2. JMAC already knew a lot about being a pro. His dad was a NBA player and hard ass NBA coach.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:29 pm
Can’t say no to the interview. It’s basically a formality and you don’t want to deny talent from seeking better opportunities. It sets a bad precedent. Greenberg is long overdue anyway.
January 6th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Everybody learns things in different places. Baker got the Mcvey effect at the Rams
January 6th, 2025 at 2:15 pm
This is the Brady effect.
January 6th, 2025 at 4:08 pm
I see a lot of ‘Brady effect’ comments here, and I think that is part of it. But for a receiver having a QB that will die for his team and a 1st ballot Hall of Fame WR to see displaying consummate professionalism every day, every game, everything you need to be a pro is right in front of you. Contrast that with a whole lot of losses in NE since 2020.
January 6th, 2025 at 4:12 pm
No one gave up on him, McMillan said.
———
Why would anyone have given up on him? He was a 3rd round draft pick with only a handful of games under his belt.
Anywho, based on his college tape, I think he’s going to be a very good pro – although he might need to put on a little muscle to level up. Still, when he’s been healthy, he’s mostly looked good – and had a strong finish to the season. He’s got a very bright future.
January 6th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
I was impressed how quickly he learned from his mistake after catching the 4th down hail Mary to help preserve the win and give the Bucs a chance to make the TD throw he caught.
Right after that stupid show off mistake he went to the sidelines and kept pointing to himself and walked up to Coen to apologize and Coen simply pushed him away like no need just learn from it. How many plays later did Baker drop a dime in the end zone for McMillan to make that GREAT catch!!
CG is a very smart, family and team guy. He’s earned over 75 MILLION the past four seasons and he’s worth it. But at some point the monopoly money runs out.
Bottom line is CG is smart, his wife is also very smart and a trusted advisor.
With 75 million in hand CG will make his decision based on his health and desire to put up with all that it takes to rehab totally and come back.
If he still has enough fire in his belly he’ll probably be back, if not I get it and he’ll retire. I’ll respect his decision unless he turns down a Bucs offer for a measley 3 or 4 million more from another team. Now if the Bucs don’t wish to pony up I’ll support Chris going forward but if he leaves for a couple million I’ll b severely disappointed.
January 6th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
Joe did a piece about Culp who went to Washington as well and that the fun n gun system of claps kept receivers from knowing how to communicate on the field. The NFL it’s almost like learning a while new language. I believe that’s another reason it took so long because even Culp is catching passes now. I hope Jalen keeps on improving and blows up during the playoffs.
January 6th, 2025 at 5:35 pm
The greatest acquisition the Buccaneers ever made, in their almost 50 years of existence, was getting TOM BRADY to wear the Buccaneer’s #12 uniform!
Whatever the Bucs spent for Brady’s 3 years of service just times it by 100 that the team got in return (and still multiplying). Right from the start, the organization handed him the keys to the team, and Brady opened the door to immediate success.
He gave the Bucs instant respect, taught how to practice & play the game, and showed how to win at the highest level. The only way you can be a winner is to know how to be a winner. Yeah, Brady was rigid & repetitious in his approach & demanded excellence, and some players stressed out on his approach, but I’m certain each & every player benefitted from this.
Of course, there were professional team leaders in the locker room before Brady walked in the door, such as Evans, Godwin, and David, but they didn’t know how to be a winner. As all good professionals will do, they will try to learn from the best. Just ask Brady; he learned from the best NFL coach of all time.
And now, Baker is in a system & culture that exudes professionalism & confidence throughout the organization. That’s all Baker needed. No one ever doubted his talent & tenacity: he just needed a team to allow him to be himself and give him room to excel, so the Bucs are excelling now. The Bucs gave him that. The Buccaneers is a very successful & respected organization now. Once Brady donned a Buccaneers’ #12 uniform, no more being called the “laughingstock” of the league.
Of course, there is this “Brady effect” that created this winning culture for this team. The team is on “primetime” next Sunday night in a playoff game because the Buccaneers is a fun team to watch. This game is only reserved for teams that will draw a large audience. People love Baker, respect this organization, and turn on the TV to watch this “gunslinging” team. With 5 straight years in the playoffs, the team has a direction now.
This is the Buccaneers’ “golden years” now…Tampa Bay community should be pinching themselves now…you guys really have 2 outstanding & much respected sports teams: Lightning & Buccaneers. From a Brady fan from Maine, enjoy what you have now! And thank Mr. Brady for showing you the way!
January 6th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
That’s true (NFL offenses are like different languages than college).
January 6th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Sly Pirate
Who is his father ? All I can find is that he’s “not known publicly”
January 6th, 2025 at 9:10 pm
Staying on topic,putting Brady aside for now, McMillan is a rookie this year,he excelled in college and proved to be a up and coming possible NFL star,great the bucs got him and with the unfortunate injury circumstances within the bucs team,he is now a highly valuable asset in his position,nice draft pick.we hope everybody stays healthy and keep on winning,now if only we had linebackers and secondary,now Brady this Brady that,winners are born,yup we were lucky to have Brady,now maybe , hopefully we can land Brady as head coach….fingers crossed!
January 6th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
Jmarkbuc,
Jalen McMillan’s dad is Nate McMillan…
Remember him???
He played for Seattle SuperSonics for like 12 years with Sean Kemp & Gary Payton…
He was a decent player as well.
Nate went on to actually head coach Seattle for a few years in early 2000’s…
After that he coached Portland Trailblazers then Indiana Pacers.
He was Atlanta Hawks coach from 2021 to 2023…
January 6th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
The TD the guy stole from McMillan was on him as was that stupid penalty.
January 7th, 2025 at 4:11 am
Lt Dan i saw the same thing, Baker had an easy pass to Evans but chose the harder throw ? I see our RB’s open many times for check downs and Baker doesn’t see them. Hey as long as Baker makes the play is what matters but I think when we start slow it’s because he’s not taking the easy completion.
January 7th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
I agree with Bill. I see the same thing. If Baker sees a total blitz coming at him just quickly dump the ball to the outside…there’s no one out there covering…start with easy completions to start the games, as well….think simple, first.