Just weeks after he brought his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to training camp in search of a new deal ahead of a contract year, Zyon McCollum got his wish. The Buccaneers signed him to a three-year, $48 million contract extension with $35.4 million guaranteed according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The deal ties McCollum with Lions cornerback D.J. Reed as the 21st-highest paid player at his position. As the cornerback market continues to balloon, the extension could prove to be a bargain for Tampa Bay sooner rather than later.
The Buccaneers selected McCollum in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. A raw, developmental player out of Sam Houston State, he went through growing pains early in his career but has since emerged as one of the team’s most improved players.
Despite the Buccaneers’ starters seeing very little preseason action, McCollum made the most of his limited reps, snagging an interception against Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph.
Per PFSN’s CBi metric, McCollum finished 2024 as the league’s No. 5 cornerback with an 85.21 grade, ranking among the NFL’s elite.
McCollum’s 17 passes defended in 2024 were tied for the third-most in the NFL. He also tied for the team lead with two interceptions and added a fumble recovery. Expectations are that he’ll take another big step in his development this season and continue to rise as one of the league’s most promising young cornerbacks.
He’s proven to be an extremely versatile player, one of head coach Todd Bowles’ most coveted traits in defensive backs. McCollum can play outside, in the slot, and has even taken reps at safety in a pinch. He also was an important special teams contributor early in his career.
That combination of athleticism, versatility and increased production has made him a cornerstone for the Buccaneers’ secondary, and now one of the highest-paid players on the roster.
More Tampa Bay Buccaneers news and rumors