Mike Evans is set to earn a new contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers which could make him the highest-paid receiver in the NFL.
The 29-year-old has been with the Bucs since the franchise selected him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Since then, Evans has put up an NFL-record of nine successive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards while he was a key offensive weapon as the Bucs won Super Bowl LV.
He is an unselfish teammate who consistently makes clutch plays in critical situations. Ultimately, Evans is the model of consistency at the receiver position - and he could now get paid like a premier talent.
Back in 2022, the Bucs re-signed Chris Godwin to a three-year deal worth $60million (£47m) despite the receiver coming off two torn knee ligaments. The contract Godwin was offered could set the precedent for Evans’ own deal with the Bucs, and he could be eyeing the likes of Davante Adams.
Adams is widely considered the best receiver in the NFL and he was paid like it following a trade to the Las Vegas Raiders ahead of the 2022 season. Adams signed a five-year contract worth $140m (£109m) with $65.7m (£51.3m) fully guaranteed, with his $28m (£21.8m) annual salary only behind Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill record of $30m (£23.4m).
Adams - who arrived in the NFL as a second-round pick in 2014 - teamed up with four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers for much of his career, tallying 9,637 yards and 87 touchdowns heading into 2023. Meanwhile, Evans enjoyed just three seasons with Tom Brady to put up 10,425 yards and 81 touchdowns during his own career.
Evans also had to share the ball with the likes of Godwin, Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski. He is considered by Bucs fans to be the best offensive player in franchise history, and there is a willingness to stay in Florida.
“Mike loves Tampa,” his agent, Deryk Gilmore, told the Tampa Bay Times. “I know the feeling is mutual. His production is the best of all the guys out there…
“The Bucs’ ownership has to love that Mike isn’t even an off-the-field conversation but an on-the-field terror. I’ve got to think they would like to lock him up to a third deal.”
Evans will count $23,698,500 (£18,486,289) against the cap in 2023, and part of the reason he wants to restructure his current deal is to give the Bucs more salary cap space. Meanwhile, Bucs head coach Todd Bowles is keen to lock Evans down with another deal as he heaped praise on the receiver when asked what stands out about the former Texas A&M ace.
“His unselfishness,” Bowles said. “He’s willing to go in there and block, he’s willing to run the short routes, the deep routes, he’s willing to pick for people when he gets a chance. His unselfishness and his competitiveness.”
He added: “Obviously, he’s talented. He’s a heck of a pro and competitor. When you stay with one team and you put up those type of numbers, that says a lot about you from a character standpoint and a talent standpoint. He continues to do it.”
