The Tampa Bay Buccaneers almost endured a successful transition period in the post-Tom Brady era with Baker Mayfield. The team looks much quieter in the absence of TB12, but its performance in the latter part of the 2023 season was undoubtedly notable.
The Bucs enjoyed a playoff journey last season, and are preparing to have another successful season. They have already bolstered the offense by re-signing Mike Evans to stop him from hitting the free agency market. The receiver wants his quarterback, Mayfield, to stick to the squad to have a potential Super Bowl run in the upcoming season.
Mike Evans desires Baker Mayfield to remain Bucs QB
Mike Evans is expressing his desire to continue his on-field partnership with Baker Mayfield. He made it clear that he has been in contact with Mayfield during the ongoing negotiations for the quarterback’s extension.
“Me and Baker, we played one season together and I feel like we can build on what we did last year. Hopefully we get him back – he’s a hell of a player. I appreciate [him]. They’re going to handle their process and I trust [general manager] Jason [Licht] and the front office no matter what happens,” Evans said on Friday via NFL.com.
Evans acknowledged his adaptability to various quarterbacks throughout his career. However, he highlighted the exceptional connection he shares with Mayfield.
“It’s on record that I’ve played with many quarterbacks throughout my career, so that doesn’t matter. Whoever the quarterback is, he’s an NFL quarterback. But, yeah, me and Baker, we have a really good connection. I think he’s an elite quarterback.”
Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans is betting on himself. He is putting in the off-season work – hitting the gym and taking care of his mind and body—because he fully believes he can stay at the top of his game for years to come. Evans has set his sights on at least five to six more seasons playing at an elite level.
Evans’ resume speaks for itself. He’s the only player in NFL history to snag 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first ten seasons, a remarkable feat that puts him in the conversation with the league’s all-time greats. Last season alone, Evans led the league in touchdown receptions (13) while racking up an impressive 79 catches for 1,255 yards. That performance earned him his well-deserved fifth Pro Bowl selection.
Baker Mayfield’s Bucs future hangs in balance
Baker Mayfield’s future with the Bucs is hanging in the balance as the NFL’s negotiation period opens. With the QN heading for free agency, the possibility of him being a one-and-done player in Tampa looms large.
Initial talks between the Bucs’ general manager, Jason Licht, and Mayfield’s agent, Tom Mills, have begun. However, an immediate contract extension isn’t imminent. Sources reveal that negotiations have been progressing slowly, without any significant hurdles reported.
The strong connection between the signal-caller and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a major factor in their negotiations. General manager Jason Licht’s dedication to staying available for talks over the weekend shows the Bucs’ desire to bring back the veteran leader who was instrumental in their NFC South championship run. However, Licht emphasized that these extended discussions don’t necessarily mean a contract extension is a sure thing.
Mayfield holds the final decision on his next move and is free to sign with any interested team. Reports indicate that several clubs are eyeing him for the upcoming campaign, making the situation more uncertain. His career-best performance during the Bucs’ successful season saw him achieve personal highs in touchdowns (28) and passing yards (4,044), ultimately leading the team to a division title. This remarkable feat has undoubtedly increased the QB’s market value, contributing to the complexity surrounding his free agency decision.
