The Bucs aren't done signing players to contract extensions just yet. Just a couple of days after inking a four-year deal with Luke Goedeke, Tampa Bay has agreed to a three-year extension with cornerback Zyon McCollum, per Adam Schefter of ESPN. The deal is worth $48 million, including $35.4 million guaranteed.

This come just two days before the Bucs being ">their season on the road.

Contract Breakdown For The Bucs And Zyon McCollum

No player on the Bucs has driven their value up more this year than cornerback Zyon McCollum. On a defense that has largely underachieved, McCollum has been a rare bright spot. Per Pro Football Focus, McCollum has been targeted 36 times in coverage this season, allowing just 17 catches for 286 yards over 329 coverage snaps. That equates to a 47.2% catch rate allowed and 0.87 yards per coverage rep. His seven forced incompletions are tied for sixth in the NFL and his 18.4 snaps per reception is seventh.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

McCollum has played like a shutdown tier-one corner. After years of stagnation, those corners are starting to get paid upwards of $24 million per year. At $16 million per year, McCollum ties DJ Reed as the 21st highest-paid corner in the NFL.  His teammate Jamel Dean is 23rd among corner at $13 million per year.

Zyon McCollum's Career With Bucs

A fifth-round pick in 2022 out of Sam Houston State, he arrived to Tampa's doorstep with size and enough athletic upside to draw a interest. The Bucs dealt a fourth round pick to land pick No. 157 and take him. It has been well worth the gamble.

After having some up and down moments as as a rookie, he became so important to the Bucs in 2023, tallying 68 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and earning more looks from coaches each week. He started several games due to injuries to either Carlton Davis or Jamel Dean, giving him experience on each side. McCollum even played safety in Tampa Bay's wild card round win for the Bucs over the Eagles, showing his willingness to help the team.

Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Photo by: USA Today

McCollum became the full time starter at corner 2024. He played every defensive snap on his side of the field and ranked fourth in the NFL among corners with at least 80% coverage snaps in completion-rate allowed at just 58.7%. He also tied for third league-wide with 17 passes defensed. McCollum recorded the first two interception of his career as well in games against the Lions and Saints.

Entering year four for him going into the 2025 season McCollum has 47 NFL games with 29 starts, 174 tackles, and 27 pass breakups along with the two picks. He becomes mainstay with the Bucs for several years while working with Dean this season along with rookies Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish.

The Bucs have flipped the cornerback room to a group flush with depth. McCollum becomes the headliner of it going into the season opener.