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Egbuka’s One-Handed OTAs Catch Goes Viral and Fuels WR1 Expectations

The Buccaneers’ posted practice clip has amplified views that Egbuka could step into a true WR1 role after Mike Evans left, a shift that would change Tampa Bay’s target balance if it translates to games.

Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Overview

  • The Buccaneers posted video this week of Emeka Egbuka making a one-handed, behind-the-back catch during the team’s first OTA session, and the clip quickly spread across national media.
  • Reporters and analysts, including Ian Rapoport, amplified the play and compared it to iconic one-handed highlights, which drove a wave of social and national attention.
  • Egbuka led the Bucs in receiving as a 2025 rookie with 63 catches for 938 yards and six touchdowns, and Mike Evans’ move to the 49ers has left a clearer pathway for Egbuka to see a larger target share.
  • Coaches and reporters note that OTAs are voluntary, non-contact practices, so the catch is an early indicator of form rather than proof of regular-season production.
  • Key factors to watch as the offseason continues are Egbuka’s health, how the staff uses him at the Z position, Baker Mayfield’s chemistry with him, and whether those practice flashes convert into consistent in-season targets.