In 2023, despite the massive shakeup at the quarterback position (enter Baker Mayfield for the GOAT Tom Brady), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South en route to a home playoff victory against the double-digit win Philadelphia Eagles. The fallout of the fantastic season, including a career year from former first-overall pick turned journeyman Baker Mayfield, led to external promotions for much of their staff. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales, assistant head coach Harold Goodwin, and wide receivers coach Brad Idzik now represent much of the top brass for the Carolina Panthers.
Canales, Goodwin, and Idzik form an elite-level offensive coaching trio, with much success coming from last year. Earlier this offseason, Canales and company signed a one-year deal with former Tampa Bay wide receiver David Moore. On Thursday, the Panthers inked another 2023 Buccaneers pass catcher to an agreement, signing wideout Deven Thompkins and reuniting him with his old offensive coordinator in Canales.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Deven Thompkins: Inks Contract with Division Rival
On Thursday, the Carolina Panthers added another receiver to the mix amid the start of team training camp. Carolina will welcome Deven Thompkins to the team after spending the past two seasons as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Originally an undrafted free agent from Utah State, Thompkins landed with the Bucs as a special teams ace.
Ex-Bucs WR Deven Thompkins lands in Carolina … https://t.co/WHRXzx65Jm
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 25, 2024
Thompkins made his NFL debut in mid-December of the 2022 season, returning five kicks for 123 yards. He also returned two punts for 21 yards. Thompkins finished the season with five receptions for 32 yards while returning 12 kicks for 263 yards. The 24-year-old remained with the Buccaneers in 2023, tallying his first career NFL touchdown in a Week 4 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. He finished last year with 17 receptions for 83 yards while remaining the team’s primary punt and kick returner.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Depth at Receiver
The loss of Deven Thompkins and David Moore to Carolina has resulted in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers adding more depth behind the elite pass-catching duo of Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Rotational receiver Rakim Jarrett returns for his second season with Tampa, while last season’s sixth-round pick, Trey Palmer, should operate as the third receiver in certain personnel.
The Buccaneers also added Sterling Shepard via free agency while selecting Jalen McMillan in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Shepard spent his first eight seasons with the New York Giants, but injuries have limited him in the past three seasons. Meanwhile, McMillan hails from the Washington Huskies football program, where he spent the last three seasons. McMilian’s best season came in 2022, snagging 79 passes for 1,098 yards and nine scores.
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