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Update:
Mike Evans’ agent updates that they will cut off negotiations with the team if a deal is not reached by the start of the season, via Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud.
Mike Evans agent @DerykGilmore says they are giving the Bucs until the start of the regular season to “make him a Buc for life.”
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 1, 2023
Original Story:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans may be witnessing the final chapter of Mike Evans’ illustrious career with the team this season.
The star wide receiver is likely playing his last season in the Bay with the Bucs, according to report by Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud.
Evans, who has been a consistent standout for the Buccaneers, has accomplished a remarkable feat by recording over 1,000 receiving yards in nine consecutive seasons to start his career, already a record-setting achievement.
Evans is set to embark on his tenth season with a new quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and is aiming to extend his record-breaking streak to double digits.
Evans originally entered the league as the 7th overall pick of the 2014 Draft and went on to become a 4-time Pro-Bowler, an All-Pro selection and won a Super Bowl alongside Tom Brady in 2020.
The primary cause of concern in Evans’ camp is his contract situation.
It is believed that the talented receiver is seeking a contract extension that mirrors the recent three-year, $80.1 million deal signed by Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Kupp’s contract included a substantial $75 million in guaranteed money.
Currently, Evans is playing under a contract that pays an average of $16.5 million, with a cap number of $23.698 million for the 2023 season.
Despite his incredible on-field contributions and dedication to the Buccaneers’ community and organization, Evans has not taken a hardline stance in his pursuit of a new contract and showed up to training camp.
However, it appears that his willingness to show up and not complain has not yielded the desired results.
Deryk Gilmore, Evans’ agent, expressed the player’s frustration, stating, “It sickens (Evans) to see players hold out and get rewarded when he does everything for the organization on the field, in the community, off the field, working with other players in the organization.”
With only about ten days remaining until the start of the regular season, negotiations between Evans and the Buccaneers have made little progress, leaving fans wondering if this could indeed be the star receiver’s last hurrah in Tampa Bay.