When Tez Johnson, the 22‑year‑old rookie from Los Angeles, caught a 45‑yard strike from Baker Mayfield on October 20, 2025, the stadium erupted; minutes later his teammate Kameron Johnson added a 17‑yard reception, giving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a 30‑19 victory over the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium. The two first‑year wideouts instantly christened themselves the “Johnson and Johnson brothers,” a nickname that spread like wildfire among fans.
Background: A Reception Crisis Builds
The Buccaneers entered Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season with a receiver corps that looked more like a marching band than a professional offense. Injuries had already sidelined three of the starting trio—Mike Evans (hamstring strain, Week 2), Chris Godwin (high‑ankle sprain, Week 1), and Jalen McMillan (separated shoulder, Week 3). The situation turned dire when rookie Emeka Egbuka, who had racked up 487 receiving yards and four touchdowns in the first two games, went down with a hamstring injury midway through the 49ers matchup.
With those four starters out, Mayfield—now 29 and in his eighth NFL season—found himself throwing to a patchwork of veterans and rookies: 32‑year‑old Sterling Shepard, seventh‑round pick Tez Johnson, and undrafted free‑agent Kameron Johnson. The odds were stacked against them, but the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard had been plotting deep‑ball concepts all week.
Game Details: How the ‘Brothers’ Took Over
It was a brisk Sunday evening, and the Buccaneers held a 23‑19 lead with 5:47 left in the fourth quarter. On 3rd‑and‑14, Mayfield escaped a near‑sack, scrambled for a first down, and faked a pump‑fake that froze the 49ers safety. He then launched a high‑arching pass that found Tez Johnson streaking down the sideline. The 45‑yard reception not only sealed the game but also turned into the first NFL touchdowns for both Johnson brothers.
Earlier in the second quarter, Mayfield slipped a 17‑yard dart to Kameron Johnson, giving the rookie his own inaugural score. The Buccaneers finished with Mayfield completing 28 of 34 attempts (an 82.4 % completion rate) for 338 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. His average depth of target jumped from 7.4 to 9.0 yards—a 22 % increase from the previous season—thanks largely to the deep‑ball schematics Grizzard planted.
- Mayfield: 338 passing yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs
- Tez Johnson: 45‑yard TD, 3 receptions, 64 yards total
- Kameron Johnson: 17‑yard TD, 2 receptions, 34 yards total
- Buccaneers total offense: 452 yards, 4 first downs in the 4th quarter
Player Spotlights: The ‘Johnson and Johnson’ Story
Tez Johnson entered the league as the lightest player on an NFL roster—154 pounds—and fell to the seventh round (259th overall) despite a prolific senior year at the University of Oregon (1,074 receiving yards, 7 TDs in 2024). At 5 feet 9 inches, he is 51 pounds lighter than his teammate. Yet his size didn’t hinder his ability to outrun safeties; it actually helped him slip through coverage like a whisper.
Kameron Johnson, a 6‑foot‑1, 205‑pound native of Tampa, arrived as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He announced his presence early in the season with a 54‑yard punt return against the Atlanta Falcons, a play that still gets replayed on the Buccaneers’ social feeds.
Both players laughed when asked about the nickname. “We’re the Johnson and Johnson brothers,” Tez told Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “He’s a little beefier, I’m the little dawg, but we’ve got each other’s backs.”
Reactions & Immediate Impact
The fan reaction was instant. Merchandise sales for jerseys #18 (Tez) and #11 (Kameron) jumped 347 % on the official Buccaneers store within 24 hours. Team marketing director Angela McClain confirmed the surge, noting that the “Johnson and Johnson” moniker has become a rallying cry on social media.
Medical staff led by Head Team Physician Dr. Timothy Kremchek remain optimistic about the returning veterans. Evans and Godwin are slated to be back by Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints on November 3, while McMillan and Egbuka may miss at least three more contests. In the meantime, the Johnson duo is expected to shoulder a larger share of the passing game.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Tampa Bay’s Offense
With the receiving corps thinned, Mayfield’s confidence in down‑field aggression has risen. If the injuries persist, the Buccaneers could continue leaning on the speed and route‑running of Tez and the physicality of Kameron. Analysts from ESPN and The Athletic have already projected that the Johnson pair could log over 1,200 combined receiving yards by season’s end if they stay healthy.
Meanwhile, the coaching staff faces a strategic dilemma: should they keep the deep‑ball focus that generated the recent TDs, or revert to shorter routes to protect the rookie’s health? Grizzard hinted at a hybrid approach, mixing quick slants with occasional bomb‑drops—an offensive recipe that could surprise opponents expecting a limited‑options attack.
Regardless of the path, the Buccaneers have turned a crisis into a storyline that fans can rally around. The “Johnson and Johnson” nickname may soon be more than a clever pun; it could become a brand that defines Tampa Bay’s 2025 season.
Key Facts
- Date: October 20, 2025 (Week 6)
- Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Final Score: Buccaneers 30, 49ers 19
- First NFL touchdowns: Tez Johnson (45‑yard) & Kameron Johnson (17‑yard)
- Injured receivers out: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Johnson duo’s performance affect the Buccaneers’ upcoming games?
With veterans Evans and Godwin projected to return by Week 9, the Johnson brothers will likely remain a focal point of the offense. Their speed and chemistry give Mayfield a reliable deep threat, which could keep defenses honest even after the starters are back.
What led to the Buccaneers’ wide‑receiver shortage?
A cascade of injuries began in Week 1 with Chris Godwin’s ankle sprain, followed by Mike Evans’ hamstring strain, Jalen McMillan’s shoulder injury, and finally Emeka Egbuka’s hamstring pull on October 20. The cumulative effect left the team without four of its top pass‑catchers.
Why is Tez Johnson considered a notable draft story?
Despite posting over 1,000 receiving yards at Oregon, his 154‑pound frame made teams hesitant, dropping him to the seventh round (259th overall). His performance this week proves size isn’t the sole determinant of NFL success.
What changes did offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard make for the 49ers game?
Grizzard dialed up more vertical routes, targeting the deep ball to exploit the 49ers’ secondary. That strategy raised Mayfield’s average depth of target by 22 % and set the stage for the game‑sealing Johnson TDs.
How quickly did merchandise sales react to the Johnson brothers’ nickname?
Team marketing director Angela McClain reported a 347 % spike in jersey sales for numbers 18 and 11 within the first 24 hours, indicating fans immediately latched onto the “Johnson and Johnson” branding.