Zyon McCollum is asking for a well-deserved new contract, and the Buccaneers starting cornerback is worth every penny.
The Buccaneers selected McCollum in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. As a raw, developmental player coming out of Sam Houston State, he went through some serious growing pains early in his career, but has since emerged as one of the team’s most improved players.
McCollum went from being a backup early in his career, to taking over as the team’s primary cornerback in 2024 and entering 2025.
His 17 passes defended in 2024 were tied for the third-most in the NFL. He tied for the team lead with two interceptions last season, and added a fumble recovery as well. The expectation is 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, which is one of head coach Todd Bowles’ most coveted qualities in his defensive backs. McCollum can play outside, in the slot, and has taken reps at safety in a pinch. He also was an important special teams contributor early in his career.
His combination of athleticism, versatility, and now, his increased production has made him a key player for the Buccaneers.
Now, McCollum is asking for a contract extension a year early.
Zyon McCollum lets the Buccaneers know exactly what he deserves after rising to starting role
According to Adam Schefter, he even brought his agent Drew Rosenhaus to Thursday’s training camp practice in order to meet with team officials.
McCollum’s rookie contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season, and he’s due to enter free agency next offseason. McCollum is seeking an early investment and long-term security from the Bucs, and frankly, he’s earned it.
At the end of last season, OverTheCap valued McCollum as an $8 million per year player. He’s currently set to make just under $3.5 million in 2025 on his current deal, and a respectable extension at OTC’s value would more than double his salary while still providing the Buccaneers with a tremendous value.
However, that $8 million figure seems far too good to be true. With the ever-increasing cornerback market in the NFL, McCollum will likely receive much more than that.
With his teammate Jamel Dean earning $13 million per year, and McCollum being four years younger and outshining Dean in both production and availability, Dean’s contract may be more of a realistic reference point for a potential McCollum extension.
The Buccaneers have the money to make it happen, and they would certainly like to keep McCollum in Tampa Bay long-term. It would continue the trend of Jason Licht absolutely nailing his draft picks, and rewarding them accordingly with extensions to keep his homegrown talent in Tampa Bay.
The smartest decision would be to pay McCollum now, because with a breakout season in 2025, his asking price will only continue to soar.