Buccaneers at a Crossroads: Star Wide Receiver Mike Evans Considers Legacy Outside Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay has less than a week left to secure the future of star wide receiver Mike Evans, as he contemplates his legacy outside of the Buccaneers. Evans, who has spent his entire 10-year career with the team, has given the organization an ultimatum: either extend his contract and allow him to retire as a Buc for life, or let him seek opportunities elsewhere.
According to Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, they have informed the Buccaneers that they will no longer discuss contract negotiations as of September 9, just a day before the NFL regular season kicks off. With Evans entering the final year of his contract, the lack of an offer from Tampa Bay is a disappointment. Gilmore expressed that it is disheartening for Evans to see other teams retaining key players while the Buccaneers have not made a compelling effort to keep him.
This decision comes as the Buccaneers’ roster is filled with promising young players, and Evans himself has recently turned 30. Reports suggest that the organization may not be willing to invest large sums of money at this stage, especially after incurring significant costs during the tenure of retired quarterback Tom Brady. Tampa Bay’s salary cap situation, exacerbated by being over $55 million over the cap at the start of free agency, has forced them to release veteran players and make difficult financial decisions.
Evans’ agent also mentioned that the team is reluctant to have two receivers earning over $20 million per year, with fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin already signed to a lucrative contract. The Bucs are reportedly moving away from big-money deals for players in their 30s, which may impact their position on Evans’ contract extension.
While the franchise-tagging option remains, it would come at a cost of $28.43 million in 2023. This could potentially lead to Evans hitting the open market, where other teams may be eager to secure a talented wide receiver with an impressive resume like his. It’s worth noting that in addition to Evans, the Buccaneers have other Pro Bowl players up for contract renewals in 2024, including linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White, safety Antoine Winfield Jr., and left tackle Tristan Wirfs.
The uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position adds to the complexity of the situation. While Baker Mayfield currently holds the starting role, he signed a one-year contract, suggesting that Tampa Bay could explore other options if Mayfield or backup Kyle Trask doesn’t meet expectations.
Mike Evans has been a reliable force in the league, reaching 1,000-plus receiving yards in each of his nine seasons, which is the longest active streak in the NFL. His 10,425 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns since entering the league in 2014 both rank in the top three among NFL players. His value to the team cannot be overstated, and Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht has expressed a desire to find ways to keep Evans on the roster.
Ultimately, the ball is in the Buccaneers’ court to negotiate a deal that would allow Mike Evans to fulfill his wish of remaining a Buccaneer for life. It is a challenging situation given the financial constraints and impending contracts for other key players. Only time will tell how the crossroads for Evans and the Buccaneers will unfold.
