Mike Evans, the star wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has signed a two-year contract extension worth $52 million, with $35 million guaranteed. This deal, reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, makes Evans the highest-paid wide receiver of his age on his third contract. The extension comes after weeks of speculation about Evans’ future with the team.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht, who drafted Evans as his first pick, expressed his desire to keep Evans in Tampa Bay for the long term. Talks between the two parties began before the 2023 regular season but were put on hold until after a September deadline. Just last week, news broke that Evans was planning to test the free-agent market. While he remained open to returning to the Buccaneers, he wanted to explore his options.
This move by Evans to explore free agency seemed to have pushed the Buccaneers to make him an offer he couldn’t refuse. The team recognized Evans’ consistent performance and wanted to secure him as a key part of their offense. Since entering the league in 2014 as the seventh overall pick out of Texas A&M, Evans has been one of the most reliable wide receivers in the NFL. He has recorded at least 67 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards in each of his ten seasons.
In the 2023 season, Evans had another impressive year, catching 79 passes for 1,255 yards and scoring 13 touchdowns. These numbers solidify his status as one of the league’s top receivers. Notably, Evans is the first wide receiver in NFL history to achieve 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first ten seasons. He also joins Jerry Rice as one of only two receivers to record ten consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
With Evans now locked in for the next two years, Licht can shift his focus to other key players on the team. The Buccaneers will need to make decisions regarding quarterback Baker Mayfield’s contract extension and the future of safety Antoine Winfield Jr. These moves will be crucial in maintaining the team’s success and building on their recent Super Bowl victory.
Overall, the extension of Mike Evans’ contract ensures that one of the league’s most consistent and talented wide receivers will continue to be a force for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans’ record-breaking performances and his impact on the team make him an invaluable asset. As the Buccaneers look to defend their Super Bowl title, having Evans on their side gives them a significant advantage in the passing game.
