NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers really let Mike Evans walk out the door after the season? No new contract has been signed and it appears that the Bucs are willing to roll the dice with their best receiver. Not a good sign.
Evans, despite the emergence of Chris Godwin, is still the Bucs’ best offensive weapon. Heading into their Week 11 contest against the San Francisco 49ers, Evans has caught 43 passes for 737 yards and 6 TDs with an average of 17.1 yards per catch. His base salary this season is $13M this season but with his production, he’s worth the money.
But does letting him walk signal the end of the Bucs as we know them and open the door for the official rebuild? The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have young talent at the position but not one receiver outside of Evans and Godwin is performing. So, that begs the question of whether can they actually afford to let him leave, especially for nothing. While Godwin has shown flashes of being a No .1 receiver with Evans gone, can he carry the team? Here is where the Bucs must be smart.
Not only is Mike Evans a free agent following this season but so is QB Baker Mayfield. If it all falls apart, the Bucs will be in search of a new WR and a new starting QB. Things are not looking too good on the Bucs side.
Then you begin to break it down to possible destinations and that’s when the Bucs should begin to get nervous. Every team in their division is in dire need of receiving help. The Carolina Panthers with a young QB could surely use Evans’ abilities and leadership to help with the growth of Bryce Young. The same goes for the Falcons but they don’t have a reliable QB either.
Will Mike Evans Leave The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Chicago Bears are another team to keep an eye on as well as the Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Cleveland Browns. There will be a ton of teams ringing the line of Evans’ agent.
But will Evans look to remain loyal to the team who drafted him in 2014 or will he look to win another Super Bowl and be a team’s missing piece and go after the bag?
Evans still has the speed to blow past defenders and with his 6-5 frame, he’s still able to jump when he has to go over top. Evans will be at his best with a QB that’s capable of extending plays and getting him the ball in his sweet spots. Mayfield has had his ups and downs but so far, he and Evans have developed great chemistry. Can the Bucs or will the Bucs be willing to bring both back?
Letting Mike Evans walk out the door with nothing in return is a big no-no. There were reports that a deal was trying to be ironed out but at the last minute before the start of the season, that deal was pulled. Evans is betting on himself. And according to Spotrac, Evans’ Market Value is 4 years for $93M.
