For Bucs wide receiver Russell Gage, 2023 will be a make-or-break season for him in Tampa Bay.

After signing last March to a three-year, $30 million deal, the expectation was that Gage would be the team’s No. 3 receiver. It was a wide receiver room that he said before the 2022 season opener “is probably one of the best groups – maybe ever.”

Unfortunately, in Bucville, this was not the case, and the assembly of the team’s top four receivers – Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, and Julio Jones – was not the “Fantastic Four” some thought it would be.

While some of this was due to the offense stalling under former Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich, it extends to not seeing the group at full power.

Bucs WR Russell Gage Working To Get Back To “Full Speed”

Now, Russell Gage does not have to be “Mister Fantastic,” but he would serve the Bucs’ offense just fine by being “Human Torch” and providing a spark.

Bucs WR Russell Gage – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Gage is firmly back in the mix at the position and is now getting ready to be fully healthy and make an impact. This starts by getting back on track health-wise and proving his worth after reworking his contract.

Much of his tenure with the team has been injury-riddled. During last year’s training camp, he suffered a hamstring injury that sapped some of his speed and playmaking ability. This resulted in a career-low 8.4 yards per reception and his lack of creating separation on his routes.

Gage’s season also ended on a scary note after he was taken off the field on a stretcher in the Wild Card game against the Cowboys and was later diagnosed with a concussion. The injury bug has continued to bite throughout the offseason, as his hamstring injury has nagged him.

He has been trending upward, however, and Bucs head coach Todd Bowles recently provided an update on the sixth-year wideout.

Russell Gage Is Reintegrating Himself Into the Bucs’ Offense

It also sounds like Russell Gage loves the new offense that he will play in this season. He has taken well to not only learning it but naturally applying it to his play style.

Bucs WR Russell Gage and WRs coach Brad Idzik – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Discussing his progress in this regard, Bowles added that “he’s been learning it. He’s a cerebral player. He’s been learning it pretty [well], so we feel comfortable that way.”

For Gage, it is a very different situation on the offensive side of the ball. His quarterback will go from Tom Brady to either Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask. A new offensive system and new cast members in the receiving room mean that he will have to reintegrate himself. It seems that he is taking it in stride.

“It’s great to be back,” Gage added. “[Being] out here working with my brothers, learning a new system. I think the biggest thing though, for me, is understanding and building that chemistry with my quarterbacks.

“Definitely learning the system, the plays — where they want me to be. The timing of everything, that’s essential, and that’s crucial to any offense. That’s the biggest thing for me right now, trying to get the rhythm and the timing down of the plays and where they want me to be at the right time.”

The popular sentiment around AdventHealth Training Center is that offensive coordinator Dave Canales has helped to energize the Bucs since being hired. Not only has he done so with his personality, but by hitting the update on an offense that was archaic.

Imagine going from a bulky Windows 95 computer to a sleek Windows 11 laptop. This is a pertinent comparison to the system overhaul the Bucs’ offense has undergone, with plenty of additional features and nuances that should generate bigger plays – and more points.

“I really love the offense,” Gage added. “You know, honestly, it’s something that I am used to. I remember being in [Atlanta], and we took over the Kyle Shanahan offense, and I see a lot of similarities in that. A lot of deep shots and a lot of quick game. I’m actually pretty used to it, and I really like it. There are going to be a lot of explosive plays, but [Canales is] also a take-what-they-give-you type of guy. I think that’s really essential for our offense moving the ball down the field.”

Russell Gage Needs To Create Separation – On The Field And Depth Chart

There was plenty of excitement about Russell Gage joining the Bucs as a free agent from Atlanta last spring. He was coming off two productive seasons with the Falcons. In 2020, Gage had 72 receptions for 786 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up with a similar line in 2021, recording 66 receptions, 770 yards, and four touchdowns.

Bucs WR Russell Gage and OC Dave Canales – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

The hope was that his skill set would fit in Tampa Bay as a slot receiver who could create separation from opposing defensive backs. As Pewter Report’s Josh Queipo pointed out when grinding the tape of Russell Gage last June, the slot role fits him best.

“Over Gage’s four-year career, he has developed a reputation as a short yardage, move-the-chains type of receiver. This has been due to two reasons. First, Gage has spent the majority of his reps in the slot. Of his 1,393 career passing snaps, over 60% have been from the slot. Secondly, Gage’s usage has been mostly relegated to shorter chain-moving routes.”

Bucs’ receivers will be shuffled across the line of scrimmage to utilize their versatility this season, but having Gage as an effective slot receiver would allow him to play to his strengths. Gage is undoubtedly excited about his upcoming role and getting down the field with the ball in his hands.

“That’s going to be big for me because I’m a create separation type of guy,” Gage said. “If it’s quick game, I create separation, catch the ball, and now I have room to run. It’s going to tailor to me a lot.”

The Bucs’ wide receiver room beams with young talent. With a goal of getting younger and faster, Trey Palmer, Deven Thompkins, and Rakim Jarrett fit the profile and are waiting in the wings.

Not only does Russell Gage have to create separation on the field, but now is his time to separate himself from younger receivers who – like him – are doing everything to be in the team’s future plans.