TAMPA, Fla. _ Tyler Johnson has a lot of catching up to do in order to catch passes from Tom Brady this fall. But the Bucs rookie receiver from the University of Minnesota took the first step toward that goal by agreeing to terms on a four-year contract Monday.
Johnson, the Bucs' fifth-round pick (161st overall), is the first known member of the 2020 rookie class to reach an agreement with the team.
Rookies were set to report Tuesday, but over the weekend, the Bucs moved the starting date for first-time players to Thursday.
All contracts are contingent on the player passing a physical once they arrive in Tampa Bay.
Terms of the deal were not released, but the total value is expected to be about $3 million. Last year's 161st pick, Texans defensive tackle Charles Omenihu, signed a four-year contract worth $2.985 million.
Bucs coach Bruce Arians watched Johnson's Outback Bowl performance and was sold. Johnson was the best player on the field, with 12 catches for 204 yards at Raymond James Stadium.
"Oh man, I can't tell you how long I was waiting to see that," Arians said of drafting Johnson in the fifth round. "I was just shaking waiting on that one, because I actually sat here and watched that game (2020 Outback Bowl) here in Tampa with my son. I said, 'I've got to get this guy.' We really wanted him, and we had a high grade (on him). Guys were coming and going, and it was like, 'Phew, we finally got him.' I was really, really excited."
Johnson missed a lot of reps, like all rookies, due to the pandemic. But he will enter training camp competing for the third receiver spot vacated by Breshad Perriman, who signed as a free agent with the Jets. Scotty Miller and Justin Watson also are in the mix for the third receiver spot. Both spent time this offseason working out with Brady at Berkeley Prep.
