Doing Right With Mike Evans
March 4th, 2023
Unknown typist riffs on Mike Evans and rebuilding.
Joe’s heart says “Hell no!” but Joe’s head says “Think about it.”
The gang at Football Outsiders (no byline given) typed a piece for BSPN with outside-the-box moves to help each club.
With the Bucs, this unknown stenographer believes if the Bucs were smart, they’d be shopping the best receiver in Bucs history, Mike Evans.
Why? Well, because Evans still has value.
The biggest player they have to move is Mike Evans, a franchise legend and still very useful player who is hitting the wrong side of 30. Trading Evans before June 1 wouldn’t do much for the salary-cap situation, but it would likely net Tampa Bay useful picks in this year’s draft; he won’t draw as much value as Hill did last year but would still likely earn a pick somewhere in the top 50, at least. Or they could trade him after June 1 and add $14.5 million in cap room. Either way, the Buccaneers could get significant value by moving on from Evans. Moving on from a team leader and franchise legend is hard, but you don’t get much bolder than blowing a team up entirely to position yourself for the future.
Joe wants to puke thinking about this but logically it potentially has merit. Evans is in the final year of his contract. Last year, four top-shelf receivers around the NFL were dealt for at least a first-round draft pick.
Evans said once or twice last year he was fed up with losing after surviving the Lost Decade and he has no desire or intention of putting up with that again.
It seems the Bucs are headed, temporarily at least, for some dark days.
Since 2023 is the final year of Evans’ contract, he could just up and walk out the door next spring and go to a winner. And what would the Bucs get in return? Bupkis.
Unless the Bucs draft Anthony Richardson, Evans is going to be a luxury this fall. If the Bucs do draft AR15, he’s going to need all the help he can get from receivers, so Evans will be highly needed.
Joe’s heart breaks thinking of trading Evans. Joe’s head can’t dismiss it.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:39 am
The 2023 Unknown Buc Fan is here! A head bag season is coming.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:41 am
To have to get rid of Evans would be like a kick in the crotch and we know how much fun those are.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:44 am
I have been following ME since his HS days in Galveston playing BBall.
I was well aware of the story of his uncle murdering his dad while Mike was in the next room before he became a Buc. I think Mike wants to retire a Buc. Maybe it is time to extend him with a hometown discount which means moving some of this yrs cap hit down the road? IDK
I just think that Mike calls this home now, is a father, and doesn’t want to move.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:44 am
As a fan, I appreciate Evans as he’s been one of the greatest Bucs ever, a great player, teammate, leader, and great for the community. As a GM I might consider it IF the compensation in draft picks was sufficient.
That said, I’m sure that Evan’s picked the brain of TB12, learning exactly what it took for him to play to 45 years old. As a WR I know Evans won’t play to 45 but I believe he’s got many more good years left should he choose to keep playing. Some players who retired in their early 30s could have played 5 or more years longer if they took proper care of their bodies.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:44 am
Hc Grover.., you are used to a brown bag.. you wear one every night.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:48 am
Nope.
If they trade Mike, we riot.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:50 am
If they move Mike I won’t watch the games best buccaneer ever you don’t move that ever
March 4th, 2023 at 11:54 am
every player on the team should be tired of losing. i would be very surprised if Evans moves on voluntarily unless the Bucs give him an insulting offer. now I do believe he was tired of the “Hugs for Byron” offense where he where he wasn’t used properly ,IMO.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:58 am
If offered a high Round 1 pick is the ONLY way this should even be a conversation. Bucs will win the division again this season. Sign Evans to a 3 year extension.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
His style of play will leave him like Julio Jones….”IF” healthy, can still produce at a high level but more than likely stays banged up as he ages. Good teams would move him, but not sure the cap benefit of a trade is all that great.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
Trade him ! If he wants to play for a contender.
He will always be a Buc just like Tom and Gronk will always be Patriots!
Lose the silly sentimental crap!
The team is starting from scratch, a rebuilding team that needs all the young players as possible.
Same with Godwin, although he is not in the always be a Buc class as ME
Grow up kids !
March 4th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
Completely up to Mike is the only way it should be
Whatever he wants, we do
Gotta believe he wants to retire a Buc
March 4th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
I don’t think he’s gonna get his thousand yards if he stays
March 4th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
No Effing way – Period. End of discussion!
March 4th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
My immediate reaction is…..hell no…….
Mike Evans is a great Buc…..one of the very best….he needs to stay a Buc and retire a Buc.
There are some players you simply must keep and Mike Evans is one of them…
But…..there’s always a price…..and that price should be very high.
Think of how much this team changes if Evans is gone.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
If the Bucs move or let go of Lavonte or Evans, I will not watch. No joke, there isn’t much left to get excited about and those two have GOT to stay.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:16 pm
I would rather trade Devin White get a low first or high second round pick and use the money to sign David and let him groom the next linebacker. You could sign Lavonte and still have money leftover plus a high draft pick.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Trade him … no need to pay him to preform on a crap team ! Get the draft picks ! It is wasteful to keep him , he will be gone after this year regardless !
March 4th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
Too late to cancel my season tickets???!!!!
March 4th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Making these decisions should always be in the best interest of the team’s long term success. Too often the emotional side of things can cloud the logical business side of things. Good teams move good players before their value wanes. Better a year too early than a year too late. Next year he walks for a payday to a winning franchise and you’ll all say he deserves to go to a winner, and the Bucs get nothing but the feel good ah shucks we did right by him. It should always be team above individual.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
It’s an insane idea. Whoever we have at QB is going to need both Evans and Godwin. I’d rather extend him and try to make him a Buc for life.
I see the argument of trading, but I follow my team for my favorite players. Start unloading franchise icons and my interest wanes. I mean, as much as this is a business, it’s a game. It’s supposed to be fun and loyalty towards iconic players is half the fun. If it was just swapping out nameless, faceless players, I just wouldn’t care, even if they won the SB every year.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:39 pm
Whoever is saying we need draft picks this year is insane. Most analysts are saying this is the least talented draft in over two decades. Nobody wants to stock up on draft picks this year unless they are using them to trade up. Bucs don’t need third tier talent from this draft.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:40 pm
Not fair to Mike to have to make him play for Jameis , then the GOAT and now back to a inexperienced or retread QB
.
Bite the bullet and get out of these season as cleanly as possible.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
Do you really want to go into the season having Godwin and Gage as your # 1 and 2 Wr’s?
March 4th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
Still putting down Trask oh so subtly.
If Evans wants a trade, then do so. He does know how to sulk and has done it in games before.
If he stays he can still do the thing he has always done best; find the first down marker and post up, if he has a chance to go farther cleanly do so.
I think Trask will settle in and be able to move the chains. I like that better than having a splash QB that sometimes gets lucky and makes big plays, Been there, done that already.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:53 pm
For the thousandth time, the Bucs cannot execute a full purge / rebuild. It’s not in the organizational DNA. If people want to watch the Bucs blow formthe next 12+ years, trade Evans. Go ahead.
If you’re wanting value for someone, trade the Diva. Someone might even cough up a 2nd rounder or even a late 1st rounder for him.
March 4th, 2023 at 12:59 pm
Look, we enjoyed 2 beautiful seasons of being on top of the heap. They were glorious. All things that go up most fall either gently or softly. I do believe this team is going back to a BUC LIFE for at least 2 or 3 yrs. Unless Licht performs some kind of miracle. Trask will take his lumps bigtime this coming season.
March 4th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
Gonna be impossible to replace 58.8 receiving yards per game isn’t it?
😂😂👍🏻
March 4th, 2023 at 1:09 pm
We saw what happened last year when the Bucs decided to get rid of a couple of really good veterans in Suh and JPP. They lost Marpet and Cappa. Now with the possibility of David and WG being allowed to leave, Lenny gone, Brate gone, Donny gone, the Bucs will have lost a ton of leadership and continued drop off of the Brady effect. If the Bucs are stupid enough to trade Evans they might as well clean house from top to bottom. Everything they’ve been preaching and trying to build mean nothing if you get rid of possibly the best Buc ever when he’s in his prime. I get the chance of getting good picks, but why take the Bucs back to the fire hydrant of the nfl.
March 4th, 2023 at 1:12 pm
I and others have been saying trade ME and out of the suitors give him the option. He’s a great dude and have gotten very close with him and his family, but it’s time especially at 14.5. I don’t think they will get a ton, but maybe a 3rd rounder and how can they pass up on that? Yes he was a great Buc and maybe future HOF, but it’s time fans to put away the emotional attachment and use common sense !!! He’s not going to be on the team anymore and the Joes need to realize that and I also believe both Shaqs are gone as well. Godwin has the most value and if I was in charge I would do a entire rebuild and only keep Whirfs. They overpaid and looking at these contracts for Carlton Davis and others is absolutely absurd and if they keep CG and Gage that will give the QB two solid WRs and let’s hope Otton gets bigger and more reliable along with White and others. Also Lenny and Smith are going to be gone, but try and get draft capital for some of these players. Maybe even Jensen as well? This draft JL needs to hit because if not it’s going to be a longer rebuild and unfortunately they are paying the price for going all in and it’s now time to realize and rebuild
Yucs to Bucs back to Yuuuucs, but hopefully it will only take 2 years before we can say Bucs again and not 10 years
March 4th, 2023 at 1:17 pm
TRADE MIKE FOR MIKE
Does anyone want to Evans sitting on the sidelines frustrated by being trapped on a rebuilding team?
Trade Mike to a contender. Let him have fun.
IF YOU DON’T, he may demand a trade and you’ll get less.
March 4th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
MIKE and LVD, I don’t care about their age, don’t mess with them. Practically everyone else, maybe, but not them.
March 4th, 2023 at 1:24 pm
You keep him! He doesn’t want to start over on another team. He retires as a Buc and he will understand his value with this team and others that might be interested in his services. He has never been a speed burner, never. Now that he is older you use him differently. Twenty yard curls, fifteen yard outs and thirty yard receptions. Forget about the touchdown bombs that have made him famous. He got lucky this past year against Carolina, that was an epiphany. Use him a little differently, he might still command their top defensive back. Decoys are wonderful deterrents and defenses will probably still put their better defender on him. Signing bonuses can be introduced to minimize cap problems, Mike Evans is a Buc, period. Find other ways to maneuver the space under the cap radar and play some football with cap casualties from other teams that want to play for Tampa. His assignments can change also, hybrid wide receiver slash tight end. Look for the benefits of a future hall of famer instead of thinking about draft capital. He loves it here and sometimes young draft picks melt under the pressure of a new league.
March 4th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
I don’t think Evans would get the haul that people think, mainly because of his age and the fact he only has a year left on his deal. Fans always overvalue their own players, all fans, all teams, always think their guys are worth way more than what they’d actually get on the market.
Considering that, I wouldn’t trade him, since there would be a revolt when people see the haul is something like a late 3rd round pick in 2024.
With that said, I do think there is value in packing a bunch of veterans. I’ve been saying for a while now, the Bucs should at least give Chicago a call about the #1 pick, offer up Jensen, Evans, Donovan Smith and the Bucs 1st to move up to #1. For the Bears, in one trade, they’d give their top young QB a legit #1 WR and fix their offensive line, and instantly become a playoff caliber team. For the Bucs, you can then take your franchise QB. Also, in this situation, maybe they can flip Trask for an extra 5th rounder, maybe. I don’t know if Chicago would do that since the national media would mock them and say they got screwed on the deal, they got a bunch of old players with one year left on their deals, but those same writers would all have them making the playoffs as their ‘surprize’ team. For the Bucs, well, they’re a bunch of old players with one year left on their deals, and it’s not like the Bucs are going to be competing for anything anytime soon. Not unless they pull a rabbit out of their hat and trade for Rodgers and also figure out how to not lose most of their secondary.
March 4th, 2023 at 1:34 pm
I agree Joe. It’s definitely worth throwing his name out there and see what sticks. We need to get younger and faster.
March 4th, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Trade Evans while he still has value for draft picks. The Bucs aren’t going anywhere this year & will probably have a new head coach next year..
March 4th, 2023 at 1:49 pm
Unless this team chooses to change how they utilize Evans talents. They should trade him. They had him running down the sidelines on long developing plays last year. The offensive line couldn’t hold long enough for those plays to develop. So what was the point? Mike isn’t going to beat a corner back with speed. He has to use his body size and height to make the catch on those downfeild throws. Evans bread and butter is the sideline outside shoulder catch downfield. Either the Oline couldn’t protect long enough for the play to develop or our QB couldn’t make that throw anymore. So unless you start using Mike over the middle more often kinda like a Keyshawn Johnson roll. Or trade him.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:06 pm
Mike stays and restructures. The laughable nonsense of trading Evans. Come on Joe. You have to be laughing at the thought of trading Evans for a glorified hamburger instead of a legend retiring a Bucs. Are grown football understanding men actually having this debate?
March 4th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
Trading up for a QBs is a terrible idea, Bucs need to fix the holes this year then grab a QBs next year if we need one. If we reach for a QB this year it will play out exactly like Winston. A QB trying too hard to carry a team that needed more than just a QB.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:11 pm
In other non Bucs news. The Lightning still are in a stink run but Jeannot just landed a few solid punches, had his man a little wobbly and delivered a knockout upper cut. Wow. People across the league taking note of who maybe not to drop the gloves with next time.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
MEs value isn’t that high, we as fans value him far more than other teams would. You might get a 3rd for him.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:15 pm
History shows WR start declining around 30…
The Bucs have gotten Evans best football years out of him…
There is NO guarantee Evans will play well this coming season…
Bucs need Cap relief and capital for the future…
Business wise, it would be for the better for the team to trade him!
March 4th, 2023 at 2:16 pm
Ignorant losing your quarterback is not the smartest reason to go full reboot. Being an average 8-8, 9-8 yes I can understand that but the head coach and gm jobs are not all that secure. Who are these slow people with. Tell josh mccown or Winston that evans was a luxury!
March 4th, 2023 at 2:19 pm
I vote for ME to get 100 receiving TD’s or more all for the Bucs.
The only players with 100 or more receiving TD’s for one team:
Jerry Rice 176
Marvin Harrison 128
Larry Fitgerald 121
Antonio Gates 116
Cris Carter 110
Steve Largent 100
March 4th, 2023 at 2:21 pm
Despite whatever the front office says, the Bucs are rebuilding. From a pure business point of view, it is time to trade him. It’s an ice-cold business, but if you don’t trade him now, you’ll probably get little or nothing going forward. I seriously doubt the next Bucs QB (and Offensive Coordinator) is going to do Evan’s stats much justice.
Trade Value: Evans will probably only yield a middle to late third round pick. His age and contract will limit the return.
It’s professional sports. Fans owe most of their loyalty to teams rather than players, which probably gave rise to the Seinfeld joke about rooter for an owner’s laundry. The front offices know that well, because trading the likes of Evans won’t empty seats.
Like any player I like, no matter where Evans ends up, I hope he walks away from this game with his health and lives the life of a king. That’s what all of use should be rooting for.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Why do fans get emotionally attached to players? I do not care if Evans go or stay.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:23 pm
Extend him or trade him, but don’t let him have his last year on a losing team and then walk for nothing next season.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:27 pm
That’s pretty funny. What will Anthony Richardson do? The guy can’t hit the broad side of a barn and no WR can help him. If ME is so valuable don’t trade him, get a decent veteran QB.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
It’s a business. Gotta do what is best for the Bucs.
Paying our WR corps $50+ mill with no QB is stupid.
This is a rebuild. No one is off the table.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:40 pm
HC Grover Says:
March 4th, 2023 at 2:22 pm
Because we’re human and it’s the only thing that makes it valuable. It’s just a stupid game that I wouldn’t care about if it was just a bunch of nameless, faceless athletes.
March 4th, 2023 at 2:53 pm
I can understand that Sasquatch. I just think out with the Old Pros because times change and we get old. The NFL Rules make it so. That way there are no permanent top winners an the other city teams have a chance if they can start over. Now is the time.
March 4th, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Since we got Canales I think play the QB he wants to play. He seems to have some spunk. Deal him in on the offense and deal Bowles out.
March 4th, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Nononononononononononononoononononononononononononononononoonononononononononononononononononoonononononoononononoonononononoononononononononononononononononononononononono!
March 4th, 2023 at 3:02 pm
Sorry Joe, didn’t mean to break your comment box 😅
March 4th, 2023 at 3:14 pm
Mike evans is irreplaceable because he can make any garbage QB look good
March 4th, 2023 at 3:40 pm
That’s a hell no for me but if the price is right but it’s gotta be really high. Trask or who ever steps in at QB will need ME13 an the rest of our weapons
March 4th, 2023 at 3:40 pm
it should be up to him ; but he may not want to go thru a rebuild. To be fair ,, he might just be better to go to a contender, have good chance of another 1,000 yrd season & a playoff to the SB /
March 4th, 2023 at 3:45 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
March 4th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
Gonna be impossible to replace 58.8 receiving yards per game isn’t it?
😂😂👍🏻
…………..
Um it is over 75 yards per game ON AVERAGE and 75 Receptions per yr for 9 Years straight. Find that somewhere else. I Dare you.
March 4th, 2023 at 3:46 pm
If I’m Mike Evans a trade may not be a bad thing to accept. Go to a team that is already built to win, just needs a very good no. 1 WR, and which is not so cap strapped that it can’t afford to pay him.
For the Bucs, Mike Evans has been great, but it’s not as if the Bucs didn’t get their money’s worth from him. He will leave in the not very distant future due to aging out, and the thing is, as he ages out his performance will decline. Do we really want to hang on to Mike Evans the Has Been, or instead just be happy that we had Mike Evans the great first round pick in 2014.
So a trade can make sense. And Bucs fans – real Bucs fans – are not going to desert the team just because one player has moved on. Otherwise, why the hell are any of the commenters here in this thread even talking about the Bucs, given that the GOAT has already moved on? Really?
March 4th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Sad state of affairs fans.
March 4th, 2023 at 4:18 pm
SB Says:
March 4th, 2023 at 3:45 pm
DoooshLaRue Says:
March 4th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
Gonna be impossible to replace 58.8 receiving yards per game isn’t it?
😂😂👍🏻
…………..
Um it is over 75 yards per game ON AVERAGE and 75 Receptions per yr for 9 Years straight. Find that somewhere else. I Dare you.
________
I won’t argue that, in fact I believe it’s just over 80 ypg……. however, since 2019 he’s only averaging about 66.5 ypg.
He’s declining.
He’s been great but it’s time to get something for him and not time to be sentimental.
March 4th, 2023 at 5:07 pm
Any quarterback the Bucs start would need Evans. Especially Trask.
March 4th, 2023 at 5:16 pm
The Bucs actually have little choice. They have to shop him for a post June 1st trade. His is the biggest cap hit.
That said, Licht should take nothing less than a first rounder, since Mike Evans could mean a championship cto the right team.
And I’m sure Mike Evans would be willing to entertain the idea.
March 4th, 2023 at 5:17 pm
Mike Evans has reconstructed his contract five times to help the Bucs field a more competitive team.
• MAR 17, 2022, converted $12.88M of 2022 salary into signing bonus, adding another void year, freeing up $10.304M of cap.
• SEP 1, 2021, converted $11.1M of 2021 salary into bonus, clearing $8.94M of cap.
• SEP 5, 2020, converted $12.75M of his 2020 salary into bonus, clearing $9.565M of 2020 cap.
• SEP 5, 2019, converted an additional $2M of 2019 salary into bonus, clearing $1.6M of cap.
• JUN 18, 2019, converted $4M of 2019 salary into bonus, clearing $3.2M of cap.
There’s something to be said for a dude who consistently performs at a Hall of Fame level and has NEVER held out for a better contract. In fact, such a dude should be admired and respected by both fans and fellow players alike.
A dude who’s never held out for a better contract demonstrates a commitment to his team and a willingness to work within the parameters of their contract. That kind of loyalty and professionalism is rare in professional sports, where many players are focused solely on maximizing their earnings.
March 4th, 2023 at 5:17 pm
Biggest cap hit of the roster, I meant.
March 4th, 2023 at 5:18 pm
Probably a wise move – we have reached the point of diminishing returns with Mike Evans…
If we can get a late first or perhaps a 2nd and a 3rd round pick for him I would probably pull the trigger on that trade.
Plus – I do think he has earned the chance to end his career on a team that isn’t rebuilding – which we will be doing for the next 2-3 seasons…
March 4th, 2023 at 5:30 pm
In your dreams
March 4th, 2023 at 6:15 pm
Besides they may have promised Canales that Evans and Godwin would be here for a while longer as part of the package. On the other hand they could choose to say “It’s just business.” like the Godfather did. 😎
March 4th, 2023 at 6:34 pm
@ Jimbo
What if I make you an offer you can’t refuse?
LOL!
March 4th, 2023 at 6:44 pm
Out of gratitude and respect the Bucs need to go to Mike and let him make the choice.
Let him decide if he would like to go to a perennial contender or stay here and be a part of some lean rebuilding years.
It’s the right and decent thing for the Bucs to do
March 4th, 2023 at 6:49 pm
U draft Richardson over Hooker you’re an idiot!!
March 4th, 2023 at 7:01 pm
If the Bucs are looking for extreme cap relief – I would trade both Godwin and Devin White…
That would free up @ $20M in cap and probably get us another 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks.
Gotta do what ya gotta do…
March 4th, 2023 at 7:22 pm
Then I would trade back from pick #19 to the mid to late first round and pick up another 2nd or 3rd rounder and another 4th or 5th rounder…
We need to shed high salaries and gain as many young, cheap and healthy players as we can…
Cutting Fournette, Smith and Brate are only going to take @ $16M off of the $55M hole…
We just lost 3 starters and we are still @ $40M over the cap.
March 4th, 2023 at 7:30 pm
Evans will retire a BUC….mark that down on your calendar
March 4th, 2023 at 7:30 pm
He aint going anywhere, f that!!
March 4th, 2023 at 8:22 pm
Trade him to a contender. Mike shouldnt have to suffer thru a rebuild.
Get him a chance to play for a ring.
And us a needed draft pick or 2
March 4th, 2023 at 8:37 pm
Stupid. Don’t trade Evans for a 1st round pick and saving nothing on the cap. Trade Devin White for a 2nd and 3rd while also saving $11M on the cap. He certainly isn’t worth the $15-20M he will want on his next contract.
March 4th, 2023 at 8:49 pm
Weak WR class, so little chance to draft his replacement. Strong DE/OLB, RB, TE and CB class this year. Lucky for the Bucs we need all of those plus a DT.
Look for a QB, WR, G and maybe a T next year if Goedeke/Wells don’t work out. Bucs will also need to look for a K in 2024 if they keep Succop this year.
March 4th, 2023 at 8:54 pm
It should be his decision. He’s earned it. Let him chase another ring to solidify his HOF chances. He won’t have that chance here. If we can get some picks by doing him right all the better.
March 4th, 2023 at 9:04 pm
HOF player, you treat him like Larry Fitzgerald. He retires a Buc, whatever the cost.
HOF! How can you ignore that?!
March 4th, 2023 at 9:13 pm
@ Bucsfanman
Exactly!!
March 4th, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Some of you guys just whine and cry too much. If they move Mike I’m done watching. Oh give me a break and grow a pair. This is a business. I’m a big fan of Mike too. But if the return is right then we should consider it. Mike is getting old for a receiver. And I’m not sure if anyone else has noticed it but the last 2 seasons there has been moments where he kinda freezes when he’s about to get hit. It’s been very noticeable. He’s a big tall receiver and big and tall also don’t typically age well. If we can get a 1st round pick and can send him to a contender to give him one last shot to do something special….. I would like to see it. Cause we aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
March 4th, 2023 at 11:03 pm
Don’t do Mike like that! He’s been the best thing for the Bucs for a long time. He’s only the heart of this team. Something you just don’t touch. Mike is forever a Buc and that’s final. Go Bucs! Diehard season ticket holder who met you your rookie season has got your back. Go Bucs!
March 4th, 2023 at 11:15 pm
Mike has great seats for UFC 285 tonight..2nd row cageside
March 5th, 2023 at 5:13 am
Between the Patriots and the Bucs, I cant figure out who is worse.
March 5th, 2023 at 7:21 am
He has earned his place at the table and should be given the option to stay or go. If he wants to stay, restructure. If he wants to go and compete elsewhere, find out what Elsewhere will offer in a trade.
Mike still has value to this team and for him to stay a Buc these next couple of seasons could cost him Canton. Or not. But that would be my north star with this choice and it should be Mike’s to make. Again, he’s earned it.
Personally, if I’m licht, I just restructure (if possible).
March 5th, 2023 at 7:26 am
There is something to be said for loyalty. Every time the Bucs needed cap relief is seems that Evans was signing an extension to help out. The guy can still play and if he wants to play and retire here let him. Loyalty goes both ways.
March 5th, 2023 at 8:46 am
ME has 81 TDs for the Bucs.
Who else scores as much as him?
He is top 10 All Time in average TD’s per season at his position.
If he were traded this year, and the Bucs do poorly in the red zone, the fans will blame Licht, will blame the coaching staff. But you just can’t replace a wide receiver scorer like that.
March 5th, 2023 at 10:15 am
LakelandSteve,
Didn’t he simply convert his paycheck into a lump sum payment?
Signing bonus.