Since Mike Evans was chosen by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2014 NFL Draft, he has etched his name into the team’s record books, holding nearly every significant franchise receiving record, including career receptions, yards, and touchdowns. With him, the Bucs reached the playoffs again last season, yet fell short of fulfilling their Lombardi Trophy dream.
As the anticipation for the 2024 NFL season builds, the Buccaneers stalwart receiver, who has spent his entire career in Tampa Bay, is reportedly gearing up to explore free agency for the first time in his 10-season career.
Mike Evans is reportedly to enter free agency as contract negotiations fail
Mike Evans’ current contract is set to expire in March, and as of Monday, the Buccaneers and Evans have yet to reach an agreement on a contract extension, as reported by Jordan Schultz. This situation implies that the veteran receiver is increasingly likely to leave the Tampa Bay team.
The #Buccaneers had a soft deadline today to get an extension done with Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans, but both sides remain far apart, sources say. Tampa Bay is set to take on $7.4M in 2024 dead money by not getting a deal done today. @BleacherReport
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 19, 2024
Talks will continue, but my… pic.twitter.com/fNJJFuRceH
The failure to reach an extension means the Buccaneers will incur approximately $7.4 million in dead money against their 2024 salary cap.
While extending the five-time Pro Bowler before the deadline could have provided the Buccaneers with significant salary cap savings, the opportunity has passed. As a result, he will be available for negotiations with all 31 other NFL teams after March.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract situation, his performance on the field remains impressive. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 10 seasons.
Evans’ future with the Buccaneers may be influenced by ongoing negotiations with other key players, such as Baker Mayfield, and Antoine Winfield Jr., who are both free agents. The outcome of these negotiations could shape the team’s roster decisions and potentially impact Evans’ tenure in Tampa Bay moving forward.
Latest on Mike Evans Bucs contract talks
Despite speculation surrounding a potential split between Mike Evans and the Buccaneers, Dianna Russini of The Athletic provided a contrasting viewpoint. Russini’s report suggests that both parties are actively engaged in negotiations with the mutual goal of retaining the veteran player on the Buccaneers’ roster. This indicates that the end of Evans’ tenure with the Bucs may not be as imminent as initially projected.
Today is the day that could save the Bucs some money by resigning All-Pro WR Mike Evans. However, that deal won’t happen today. Look for the two sides to continue to negotiate in good faith as they work towards the start of free agency.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) February 19, 2024
While there’s a commitment to negotiations, the likelihood of tagging Evans appears slim, as noted by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This development adds weight to the possibility of Evans exploring the free-agent market.
Due to his 2023 cap number, Buccaneers WR Mike Evans' projected franchise tag would be $28.4 million – instead of the regular $21.6M – meaning he is not expected to be a tag candidate. https://t.co/0bLVyZZgsm
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 18, 2024
Before the season commenced, Evans was frequently discussed as a trade candidate, and he openly expressed his desire for a contract extension from the team. He set a deadline for the beginning of the season for the Buccaneers to finalize a new deal. However, that did not materialize, and Evans played out the final year of his existing contract.
Should Mike Evans ultimately become a free agent during the 2024 NFL offseason, he is anticipated to emerge as one of the most sought-after targets for numerous teams. His proven track record of success and consistent performance make him a valuable asset in the free agent market, likely garnering significant attention from teams across the league.
