Mike Evans, His Streak And Staying With The Bucs
August 18th, 2023
Mike Evans and Bucs’ future.
Very insightful feature on Bucs stud receiver Mike Evans, his future in the NFL and in Tampa.
The feature is extremely enlightening from a number of angles. And Joe would expect no less from the author, Dan Pompei, one of the very top NFL writers tapping a keyboard.
If it was all up to Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht, Evans would never wear an NFL uniform outside of Bucs pewter and red (or creamsicle). But Pompei sort of leaves a curious door open when he writes of Evans …
Staying in Tampa is important to him, but it’s not everything.
He wants his name in NFL history books. “Twenty, 30 years from now, I want people to look back and say, ‘He was a bad mother,’” Evans says.
Milestones stand before him.
Well, this has Joe’s noggin working overtime. Evans is in the last year of his contract. Despite what some fans believe, a receiver can only do so much if a quarterback cannot get the ball to him.
Sure, Mike Glennon and Stewart McClown and Ryan Fitzpatrick, bottom-rung quarterbacks each, were able to get Evans the ball. That was when Evans was a young man.
Evans turns 30 next week.
Could it be Evans is wanting to see how Baker Mayfield (Kyle Trask?) works out before he re-signs with the Bucs? If Evans’ cherished nine-year streak of 1,000 receiving yards in a season snaps, is he going to want to continue with Mayfield (Trask?) as his quarterback?
If the season circles the drain and there is a regime change, would Evans want to see who the next coach is before he signs on the dotted line, and get assurances from Licht that the long-time Bucs shot-caller will get a top-shelf quarterback before he re-signs?
Yes, Evans might have the leverage and street cred to demand this.
“I can’t see Mike playing anywhere else,” Licht says. “I hope and think we can figure something out so he can retire a Buc. We want Mike to be here long term.”
It’s a two-way street. And of course, Evans is subject to the franchise tag, so the Bucs can keep him for at least 2024. (Hey, Licht slapped the tag on Chris Godwin twice.)
That’s great that Licht wants to bring the best receiver in Bucs history back. Joe’s curiosity revolves around what Evans wants outside of Team Glazer loot?
Cool nugget Pompei offered about Evans: If Evans has nine touchdown catches this fall, he will be in the top-15 all-time. Only four of the current top-15 are not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yet. Those players are: Antonio Gates, Larry Fitzgerald, Rob Gronkowski and Davante Adams. (Evans is also 19 touchdown catches short of 100, which currently ranks top-10 all-time.) Joe wrote a lot about Evans’ historic touchdown status in May.
Fun fact: Pompei noted Evans was clocked at 22 mph on a treadmill this summer.
On Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List,” he has Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. at No. 2, in part because he was timed running 23.5 mph. Evans said during training camp that he’s faster than ever — at 30 years old.
August 18th, 2023 at 6:53 am
For the longest time, Derrick Brooks was my favorite Bucs player. I think he has been eclipsed by Mike Evans. I hope he stays a Bucs forever
August 18th, 2023 at 7:46 am
Letting an aging 31-year-old receiver dictate who the coach and quarterback will be would be a really stupid long-term decision, something Bucs management would totally do.
August 18th, 2023 at 7:46 am
You’d be hard put to find a Bucs fan who didn’t like Mike Evans……he’s durable….performs consistently well, is a great teammate, loves Tampa…..strong character and future HOF.
Sure, there are those who want the draft pick Mike would bring….but what guarantee is there the draft choice from that pick would equal Mike?
Pay him, keep him.
August 18th, 2023 at 7:46 am
With the QB depth in the draft next year, it’s probably more likely they go with a rookie if this year goes poorly rather than a top shelf QB. Not sure Mike would be down for that or not.
August 18th, 2023 at 7:53 am
The man played on a bottom of the barrel team for so long then got a taste of what it feels like to win, to expect him to accept going backward again is not how a pro athlete thinks or wants. He is no longer the #1 WR Godwin is and Gage is in the mix, both younger not to mention a weak Oline and a scrambling QB limits the down field opportunities. If you recall Joe writing about how the WR last season were running downfield blocking routes versus pass receiving routes should indicate how Bowles wants his O to run. I find it hard to believe that was all on BL since that was the only season we heard of this blocking scheme. Bottom line, Run Mike Run from Tampa before you are no longer a premier WR in the league.
August 18th, 2023 at 8:02 am
Mike Evans has been an outstanding Buc, on and off the field. The kind of guy any organization would want to keep their entire career. I don’t know what Mike wants or what the Bucs are willing to give, but the guy has re-done his contract I dont know how many times to help this team sign other players and to stay under the cap. I would hope the Bucs will re-pay that loyalty and unselfishness with whatever it takes to get Mike to sign a new contract and retire a Buc. He deserves it, the fans deserve it and so does the Bucs organization.
August 18th, 2023 at 8:10 am
If the Bucs are in bad playoff shape when the trade deadline comes both ME and the Bucs should take the trade to a SB caliber team.
I applaud ME’s loyalty and he will always be a Buc even if he finishes his career elsewhere, just like Tom Brady will always be a Patriot along with others in the same situation.
August 18th, 2023 at 8:52 am
Go back to blowing Brady yankee boy
August 18th, 2023 at 8:56 am
Even if ME totals 1K mark and 10 TDs, if the Bucs falter, will he want to play with a rookie, say Caleb or Drake (I mean he would be their best friend), but that is an interesting take
August 18th, 2023 at 9:10 am
If he avoids injury, I’m confident he gets his 1,000 yds regardless of the QB. If we’re playing well, he’ll get his and if we’re playing from behind, we’ll be passing a lot which will pad his stats.
August 18th, 2023 at 9:20 am
SB-LV, Brady will always be a Patriot in the eyes of Patriot fans. I don’t think he feels the same way. Both the Pat’s & Bucs to advantage of him and did him dirty in his contracts, I don’t believe he holds loyalty to either team. I saw him evolve from the ultimate team guy to it’s only a business attitude, which is kind of sad. This will eventually happen to Mahomes and others that just love to play. Look at Roger’s. Brady wanted to retire a Patriot but BB & Kraft had shoved it up his arse. I do believe he is loyal to all his teammates on both teams but management, not so much.
August 18th, 2023 at 9:43 am
Get value for him before his value drops. Nostalgia doesn’t make long term great teams. For the amount of money he’ll need, there are many other pieces and many young receivers.
August 18th, 2023 at 9:57 am
love evans!! all time buc..it was mark carrier, me13 has killed him.
August 18th, 2023 at 10:11 am
I would be shocked beyond shocked if Evans is not a Buc for life, no matter what.
If McCown can throw to Evans for 1000, no doubt Matyfield can, too.
Does anyone doubt Mayfield > McCown FitzGlennon?
August 18th, 2023 at 11:10 am
My Momma thinks we’ve seen the last of Mike. She’s thought this ever since Bowles took over. NE fan is right. The handwriting has been on the wall since Mike has been blocking down field more than in the past. Understandably he wants to go to a team that has capability of helping him get into Canton. My Momma wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs granted him a trade at some point so they can stockpile picks to gab Caleb. Could be sooner than we think.
August 18th, 2023 at 11:44 am
You guys remember when you burnt Mike Evans jersey, because he knelt during the anthem twice?
August 18th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
NE Fan Says:
He is no longer the #1 WR Godwin is and Gage is in the mix,
Bottom line, Run Mike Run from Tampa before you are no longer a premier WR in the league.
Wrong on all accounts, where have you been, Gage is done for the year
August 18th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
Pay the man.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
buccanstopit, my apologies not paying as much attention to Bucs since the GOAT left. He is still not the #1, Godwin is now. I still believe he is a top WR in the right system, the current Bucs system is not the right one. Vegas has the Bucs favored in ONE game this season, NOT the best situation for a aging top WR.
Jeffdieshisgrandpa@ relax puppy.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:05 pm
Sorry jeffDOEShisgrandpa@
August 18th, 2023 at 1:21 pm
LOFL Evans is def still the #1 (or 1A) guy. Russel Gage most likely won’t even play this season, so LOL at claiming “he’s in the mix”.
As for Evans, the reality is a lot of guys have been with 1 team their whole career, and then gone somewhere else the last year or two in the league to chase a ring / money. So I won’t hate Mike if he does too.
But I sure would be bummed about it. He needs to retire as a Buc, just like Lavonte. Those 2, along with Barber and Brooks are my all time favorite Bucs. Would love to see them all retire in pewter and red.
August 18th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
unbelievable, I’ll give you the toss up. 1A or 1B, does it really matter? I never said Gage was a #1 or close I was referring that he would be targeted taking catches from Evan’s. Now that I am aware he is injured that won’t be the case.
August 18th, 2023 at 2:54 pm
NE Fan why are you here Brady is gone you are no longer needed .
August 18th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
ME deserves to catch a TD in a Super Bowl
August 18th, 2023 at 4:01 pm
It is a smart play on all sides to let the season play out. I can see ME13 being a Buc for a few more seasons. I think its fair to say he has been underutilized for a while now. He is often used as a decoy, and really has not been the number 1 option for the last few seasons. If healthy, this guy can sleep walk to another 1000 yard season regardless of quarterback. If featured, he can resurrect Baker’s career, and save Bowles’ job. What is his value? I think its easily what they pay him now, if not more. Great guy in the community, great teammate, and still has a skill set matched by few. Im cool if he wants to throw a percentage of that signing bonus my way for the indorsement when it comes. ME13 is a Buc for life.
August 18th, 2023 at 4:44 pm
NE fan…… go T F away.
August 18th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
I’m not athlete, but I do know personally I was in dramatically better shape at 35 than I was 20. The only issue was recovery time. At 20, I could pretty much do any stupid thing I wanted to and would heal like wolverine, but by the time I was 35, stuff just started hurting for no apparent reason, and a muscle sprain might take a week to heal, when before it took a day. Now in my late 40s, I look back at 35 as a golden age, since everything hurts for no apparent reason and stuff that would take a week to heal at 35, seemingly sticks around for multiple weeks – and I’m not even sure it healed or if I just got used to it.
In any case 30 is no barrier, not anymore. Recovery time isn’t as big of a deal as it used to be thanks to new ‘medicine’ – and I don’t think Mike has shown any signs of getting slower, and very much believe him when he says he’s faster now than he’s ever been.
Get the man a new contract already.
August 18th, 2023 at 11:16 pm
Joe, if you’re gonna say Fitz, Glennon and McClown are bottom rung QB’s you better add Americas crotch grabber Winston to that list. Fitz has a record of 67-98 and the crotch grabber is 38-48…. Those win percentages are pretty dang close and all on the list are career backups. Poor Mike had a real QB for only 3 years and still has great stats. And really Brady was so scared the line was gonna get him killed last year that Evans really only had 2 years with a great QB. Just racking up everything while having these 4 horrible QB’s Fitz, Winston, Glennon and McClown for those years should get him a gold jacket now
August 19th, 2023 at 3:09 am
I think it just might matter more what Licht thinks than some “national sports writer” trying to dredge up some clicks.
Go bucs!
August 19th, 2023 at 5:14 am
NE Fan really has no reason to be on this site anymore and saying Gage is possibly better than Mike when he is done for the year is all the proof you need.
Gage could take roids and not hold ME13s jock strap.
Following Brady to that degree is borderline psychotic.
I’m pretty sure you fit better with Patriots fans.
August 19th, 2023 at 11:30 am
Miller5252
Not defending Winston at all, but you might want to consider total passing yardage into your equation.
Regardless of when or why he got that yardage, the receivers had to catchem for it to count.
August 19th, 2023 at 8:15 pm
@GP I get what you’re saying. I kinda figured that would get brought up or the 5k yards Joe always talks about. But when it all comes down to it….. the only thing that matters is wins.