Mike Evans Said He Will Do What’s Best For His Future
September 7th, 2023
Plans to play.
Joe thought this Saturday’s deadline set by Mike Evans’ camp to work out a contract extension with the Bucs was highly interesting.
The deadline comes on the very day the Bucs are scheduled to fly to Minneapolis to face the Vikings for both teams’ season opener.
Would Evans be on that plane?
In a statement to ESPN last week, Evans said he did not want to hold out. That’s quite different than saying he wouldn’t hold out.
In talking today to the pen and mic club, Evans sounded as if he happily plans to play this season, new contract or not. He admitted his agent was the person who set the deadline.
“Ownership and management are going to do what they feel is the best for their future,” Evans said. “I’m going to do what I feel is the best for my future.”
Evans also added his agent and the Bucs have been discussing a new contract for a year.
Regardless what happens Saturday, Evans said he plans to have a strong season for the Bucs.
“I feel great,” Evans said. “I’m looking forward to having a great season.”
#Buccaneers star WR Mike Evans has set a saturday deadline for the team to sign him to a contract extension, or else he’ll be playing for a new team in 2024.
“Any player in my position would like to feel solidified, secured. If the deal is done or not, either way we’ll be okay… pic.twitter.com/bCDupRo3Jk
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 7, 2023
September 7th, 2023 at 3:24 pm
Cool.
Just like Devin White.
Shut up and play football…
The rest will take care of itself.
September 7th, 2023 at 3:32 pm
“Evans said, ‘I’m going to do what’s best for my future.'”
As well you should, Mike.
September 7th, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Some Buc fans on this site are so disrespectful. “Shut up and play football” like these human beings are nothing more than action figures for your entertainment. As if he wasn’t being interviewed just because meatheads like you are clicking on articles like these. As if he doesn’t owe it to himself and his family to protect his health and make as much money as he can while he can still play.
September 7th, 2023 at 3:35 pm
Respect, Mike!
September 7th, 2023 at 3:35 pm
The sentimental fan in me hopes we can work it out
September 7th, 2023 at 3:40 pm
“are nothing more than action figures for your entertainment”
that is exactly what they are. the fans pay, they get paid to entertain.
keep the contract stuff to yourself, agent and team.
I think he should get paid! I’m pretty sure he will be cashing checks this year!
If he helps the team through this rough patch he will get his….if he bitches out then he can get it elswhere. I say that with all due respect of course.
September 7th, 2023 at 3:41 pm
One thing about mike I witnessed the past 9 years is he balls out when he’s upset or emotional! This season might be one of his best to prove he’s worthy not just to the Bucs but the nfl world. If that translates to winning games no way we trade him this year
September 7th, 2023 at 3:42 pm
@ Lord Corneliu….
I am with you Bro, not sure I can see ME13 with another jersey….
September 7th, 2023 at 3:43 pm
It’s good that he was so non-committal. Makes hope that the Saturday deadline isn’t the end of it all. Otherwise he could have just said that.
He also continues to include himself in the Bucs season. There’s another quote from Mike where he echoes Wirfs, Whites, Godwins and Carlton Davis optimism that we’re going *to shock people this season that write us off*.
Players are locked in and if this truly is Mike’s last season let’s make it a great one.
September 7th, 2023 at 3:53 pm
100% agree Tarheel. These guys put their bodies and their brain on the line week in and week out. Franchises will cut you in a heartbeat the moment you are no longer useful. Only an idiot would shut and play and not try to secure their future.
September 7th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Pay the man already
September 7th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
30 years active duty Air Force living and working all over the world and currently 10 years working as a civil servant for the Air Force and these “guys and their bodies” will make MORE money in 2 years than I will see in my lifetime. BYE BYE MIKE AND DEVIN! Don’t let the door hit you on your AZZ on the way out.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:01 pm
ANDDDD take your boy Sneak with you!
September 7th, 2023 at 4:07 pm
“Some Buc fans on this site are so disrespectful.”
I hate sissy whiners like you. Is he your family? No.
I could care less about the “future” of a millionaire in an already soft game. (progressively gets worse every year, remember the stupid buffalo bills guy last year? cancel a game over an injury? are you serious?)
I want the action back, I want BLOODSPORT!
Unfortunately it’s never coming back, the downfall of the NFL has already begun, you can’t go up forever.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:10 pm
I understand he is going to to what’s best for him. But there is a contract with his signature on it. Play get paid. Stay home and don’t. Your HOF run may be done. Life is about choices and forks in the road. Care which one you take.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:11 pm
Y’all don’t wanna hear this but the buc org is doing the right thing
September 7th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Lets be honest. Licht is doing what’s best for his job security. The Glazers are doing what’s best for their bottom line. And I don’t fault them one bit. No harm in Mike looking out for #1. No one else is going to.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:25 pm
@ tarhhel
Give me a break dude…
The guy waits until a week before the first game to pull this spit?!?!?!?
Come on man!!!!!
That is the biggest DIVA move in the history of DIVA moves!
SHUT UP AND PLAY BALL!!!!!
THE REST WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF!!!!!
September 7th, 2023 at 4:26 pm
Scotty if you’re bitter about that maybe you should have chosen to be a world class athlete.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:27 pm
The Bucs ARE Doing the right thing!
September 7th, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Trade the Bum.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:29 pm
Last I checked BOTH Devin White and Mike Evans were still under contracts that are paying both players VERY WELL…
Give me a break.
A week before the season starts.
Ridiculous.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:31 pm
Max going beyond disrespectful into being a downright sociopath lmaoooo. The sissy whiners are the ones who b!@#$ and moan about players trying to get their money. What you don’t like them getting paid for their work? You sound like a commie!
September 7th, 2023 at 4:36 pm
Is what it is business nobody is wrong…
September 7th, 2023 at 4:36 pm
The new coach is going to want some new young players.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:57 pm
He also said what’s best for his future is to go out there and “play some good ball”.
No hold out threat, no trade demand. He’s handling this exactly how a professional should. His agent is working for him and Mike is getting ready to play.
September 7th, 2023 at 4:57 pm
Love Mike Evans. And like most fans, Glazer money means nothing to me.
Bring on Thursday night football and put the business on the back burner already!
September 7th, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Timing is definitely poor.
A lot rides on the season.
If we suck, no one is paying ME $28 mill/yr
If we have a good season and so does he…
He still isn’t getting $28 mill/yr
If he can get more elsewhere? Great for ME
September 7th, 2023 at 5:13 pm
Just stop with the hold out talk. Go and listen to the presser. Mike said “deal or not I will play and looking forward to having a good season this year”
September 7th, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Bucs should do like the Patriots… better to get rid of a player a year too early than a year too late. Montana, Unitas, Namath, Rice and yes even Brady changed uniforms.
September 7th, 2023 at 5:15 pm
Scotty in Fat Antonio … Like you I spent a long career flying in the Air Force, but that was my CHOSEN profession. Same with Mike Evans & every other NFL player … this is their CHOSEN profession. Every time they step on the field could be their last time, and they all accept that risk, just like we accepted risks. I still remember watching Daryl Stingley go down back in 1978; he was paralyzed for the rest of his life. Have known a LOT of military guys & gals who suffered a similar fate in combat.
NFL football is BIG BUSINESS, and I don’t blame players for wanting a share of the profits from that business. The better you are, the more you should be able to command (get it while the gettin’s good?). Management may see a player’s value differently than the player & his agent sees it, but hey, that’s why they call it negotiating. Personally I wish they’d keep that side of the business private, but everything seems to ‘go public’ nowadays so why should sports contract negotiations be any different I guess. Sooner or later it’ll all work out.
September 7th, 2023 at 5:22 pm
Class act, as always. Hoping for a great season
September 7th, 2023 at 5:36 pm
@Max
Yeah! Bring back leather helmets and cotton pads!
September 7th, 2023 at 5:39 pm
Marine Buc. Take a seat. Dumbest series of comments. Calling Mike Evans a Diva??? GTF out of here with that asinine nonsense
September 7th, 2023 at 5:46 pm
@ FairMinded
LOL.
Most ironic name in JBF history.
Look here tough guy with a keyboard – I am and always have been a Mike Evans fan. However – I will call him out for acting like a DIVA and causing a disruption one week prior to the first game of the season.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
I think some of you folks have been eating too many paint chips…
Go Bucs!!!
September 7th, 2023 at 5:47 pm
He’s part of the reason I became a Bucs fan. This saddens me to no end. Never thought I’d see this day. Always imagined he’d retire a Buccaneer. Now seems in doubt.
September 7th, 2023 at 5:49 pm
Some Buc fans are “disrespectful?”
Really?
You don’t think a players’ agent coming out in public with a “date-specific ultimautm, or else…” statement is respectful to fans?
WTF?
Do it in private or lose my respect. Doing it in public is using casual fans as emotional tools for blackmail.
Don’t be a tool.
Better yet, don’t be a casual fan.
September 7th, 2023 at 6:07 pm
Totally agree!
September 7th, 2023 at 6:10 pm
Sounds like Mike Evans should play his last year (under a signed contract) with the Bucs, collecting ridiculously fat paychecks, and move on.
“Doing what is best for him”
September 7th, 2023 at 6:29 pm
Mike Evans is all about taking care of business. The money will come for him in time.
September 7th, 2023 at 6:47 pm
Look – Just to clarify.
I appreciate Mike Evans. Everything he has done as a Buc has been amazing.
He is the best offensive player Tampa Bay fans have ever seen…
However – this recent drama and distraction caused by Mike Evans and his agent is 100% WRONG. You don’t announce publicly a contract dispute and call out the OWNERS of the franchise that has paid you over $100 MILLION dollars one week before the NFL season begins.
That’s all.
I am NOT saying that Mike Evans has been a DIVA or plays like a DIVA.
September 7th, 2023 at 7:08 pm
Again,
Over the years, Mike Evans has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the Buccaneers by restructuring his contract multiple times. His efforts have been pivotal in creating the financial flexibility needed for the team to remain competitive:
• March 17, 2022: Mike converted $12.88M of his 2022 salary into a signing bonus. By adding an extra void year, he made room for an impressive $10.304M in cap space.
• September 1, 2021: By converting $11.1M of his 2021 salary into a bonus, he cleared a significant $8.94M off the cap.
• September 5, 2020: Mike took $12.75M from his 2020 salary and changed it into a bonus, freeing up $9.565M for the 2020 cap.
• September 5, 2019: Later in the same year, Mike opted to convert an additional $2M from his 2019 salary into a bonus, paving the way for an extra $1.6M in cap space.
• June 18, 2019: In a generous move, he converted $4M of his 2019 salary into a bonus, making room for an added $3.2M in cap.
Mike’s dedication isn’t just evident in his financial gestures. He has consistently played at a Hall of Fame caliber, always prioritizing the team’s needs above personal gain. It’s time pay the man
September 7th, 2023 at 7:09 pm
Again, Clarification:
Mike Evans’ Selfless Contract Reconfigurations with the Bucs
March 17, 2022:
Converted $12.88M of 2022 salary into signing bonus.
Added an additional void year.
Result: Freed up $10.304M of cap.
September 1, 2021:
Converted $11.1M of 2021 salary into bonus.
Result: Cleared $8.94M of cap.
September 5, 2020:
Converted $12.75M of his 2020 salary into bonus.
Result: Cleared $9.565M of 2020 cap.
September 5, 2019:
Converted an additional $2M of 2019 salary into bonus.
Result: Cleared $1.6M of cap.
June 18, 2019:
Converted $4M of 2019 salary into bonus.
Result: Cleared $3.2M of cap.
September 7th, 2023 at 7:13 pm
Now take the following into consideration:
Reconstructing a contract, especially by converting salaries into bonuses or adding voidable years, can be a helpful short-term strategy for teams to create salary cap space. However, for the PLAYER, there are potential long-term implications to consider:
1. Decreased Leverage: Every time a player agrees to convert his salary into a bonus, they are effectively giving up guaranteed future earnings in exchange for upfront money. This might reduce their leverage in future negotiations since the team can argue they’ve already front-loaded a significant portion of the player’s compensation.
2. Potential for Increased “Dead Money”: If a contract is loaded with prorated bonuses and voidable years, it can lead to significant “dead money” if the player is released before the contract expires. This dead money can deter teams from releasing the player, but it can also make it harder for the player to negotiate a new deal with the team or with others if they feel his cap hit is too high relative to his performance.
3. Risk of Being Underpaid Relative to Market Value: By consistently restructuring and not holding out for a new contract, a player might end up being paid below his market value, especially if he continues to perform at a high level. The NFL is a rapidly evolving market, and salaries increase every year, especially for top-performing players.
4. Job Security Issues: While restructuring often gives players a lump sum upfront, it can potentially weaken their job security in later years of the contract. This is because their base salaries might be lower, making it easier for teams to cut or trade them without significant financial repercussions.
5. Injury Risk: Football is a sport with a high injury risk. By continuously converting guaranteed annual salaries into a signing bonus, a player risks ending up underpaid if they suffer a career-altering injury shortly after restructuring.
6. Misalignment of Performance and Pay: A restructured contract might lead to situations where a player’s performance level and compensation don’t align. This could create feelings of resentment or dissatisfaction, potentially affecting the player’s morale or relationship with the team.
7. Potential for Backloaded Contracts: If a contract is continuously restructured to provide short-term cap relief, it might become heavily backloaded. This means that the player might have a massive cap hit in the final years of the deal, increasing the chances that the team might release or trade him.
In summary, while restructuring can offer immediate financial benefits and demonstrate a player’s commitment to the team, it’s essential for players to weigh these short-term advantages against the potential long-term consequences.
September 7th, 2023 at 7:21 pm
The writing is on the wall, and now we are all aware. The Glazer purse is closing up, and likely wont open for another couple of decades. Gonna need money for Godwin, Wirfs, Winfield, Diva, and Evans. Baker balls out? Mo money. I dont blame Evans or his agent calling out the smoke. This deal should have been done months ago. Sure ME13 may be asking for Kupp money that even Kupp doesnt deserve, but I would bet he would take something closer to what Godwin is getting. Brooks said that they always find a way to keep you if they want you. People act like being 6’5″ and 230lbs has an expiration date when you hit 30. Whatever.
September 7th, 2023 at 7:42 pm
Mike will sit out 3 games and will be traded for a 5th and 6th round pick to the Chiefs
September 7th, 2023 at 7:46 pm
The team has prominently highlighted Mike’s past five consecutive restructures through its media channels. This was positioned as a testament to our proactive efforts to bolster the team’s chances of winning. However, it’s essential to note that Mike and his agent have been quietly seeking a long-term contract renewal with the team over the last two seasons.
In recent weeks, these discussions have been brought to the public eye to proactively manage media narratives. Players and agents, both within our locker room and across the league, especially those considering joining the Buccaneers, are keenly observing how we navigate this situation. The team’s handling of Mike’s contract will undoubtedly send a message about our approach to player relations and our commitment to the roster’s core talent.
September 7th, 2023 at 9:39 pm
NFL organizations love you until they have to make a business decision but nobody seems to care. The great Sapp was a salary cap casualty, he left to have another 10 sack season. There’s no hard feelings just business.
September 7th, 2023 at 9:50 pm
If they let Mike walk I am cancelling my season tickets and will never attend another Bucs game
He isn’t being unreasonable, he deserves everything he gets and then some
3 years, 75 mil, 50 mil guaranteed- let’s go
Rookie QB or not he has given everything of himself for this franchise and this city. In the era of the Diva WR he has been the epitome of class and professionalism – except against Lattimore LOL
The owners must do the right thing and sign the man – he, like Selmon, Brooks, Gruber, David, Barber, are the definition of the Buccaneers
September 7th, 2023 at 10:45 pm
Jeff, you may actually be retarded. And the true sense of the word.
September 7th, 2023 at 11:33 pm
LUVMYBUCS definitely works for evan’s agent 🤣
September 7th, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Pay Mike
September 8th, 2023 at 12:07 am
Mike is at his best when he plays mad.
So get the deal done, but it’s not a bad thing if he’s mad about stuff until then.
September 8th, 2023 at 12:20 am
People saying this “I did this…. Blah blah blah so Mike should shut up and play blah blah blah” nonsense are idiots that don’t understand economics.
Billions of people are not gathering around a TV to watch you type in your cubicle or fix toilets or whatever.
September 8th, 2023 at 4:12 am
Just as I thought.
Slimeball agent convinces player this is what you need to do.
Don’t blame Mike at all. You gotta make hay while the sun shines. Simple as that.
Negotiating for a year? How far apart are they/were they?
Go Bucs!
September 8th, 2023 at 7:01 am
Do you guys really think Godwin, Palmer, Jarrett and Thompkins are distracted by ME?
They might throw up thinking about themselves but I guarantee you they aren’t thinking about Evans.
Nobody on the D is either.
It might distract fans NEED for the Bucs to win but his play will show more, not talking about pay.
September 8th, 2023 at 8:51 am
Mike NEEDS to be rewarded for his loyalty to this team.
September 8th, 2023 at 10:46 am
Mike Evans is the greatest Buc offensive star of all time. His dedication and service to the team and area is unquestionable.
The Bucs have to come up with a compromise to keep Mike here for the remainer of his career. The issue that the team is facing is if you look at it just from football prospective, how valuable is he.
From 2018 to 2021 Mike had double figure touchdowns 2 of those 3 seasons. He averaged 11.66 touchdowns during that time. Last year Mike had 6 touchdowns but 3 came vs Carolina with a rookie CB covering him one on one.
Mike value to the team is as a touchdown producer. He consistantly catches 70-80 balls a season. The agent talks about Cooper Kupp money.
From 2018 to 2021 Kupp averaged 10 TD’s a year. During the same time Mike was catching 70-80 balls a season, Cooper was averaging catching over 90 balls a season and in 2021 he caught 145 balls and 16 touchdowns and almost 2000 years receiving. He clearly was much better than Mike Evans at the time he signed his contract and thats why he is one of the highest paid WR in the league.
Mike deserves to be paid what he is, a top 10 receiver in the NFL as long as he can get over 10 touchdowns a season and maintain the 70-80 catches a year.
Its a “what have you done for me lately” league and Mike did have a sub-par season last year so his agent is pushing hard but the team has to do what is best for them.
His agent may be looking at the top crop WR’s but most of them have put up better numbers than Mike in the last 2 seasons.
Tyreek Hill the last 2 seasons has caught over 110 balls a year and averaged almost 1500 receiving yards the past 2 seasons. Thats why he got the big money.
Mike’s value isn’t as high as these guys but the Bucs are in a delema. He’s had a great career with the Bucs but isn’t as productive as the top of the line WR’s are.
September 8th, 2023 at 11:10 am
Mike should be a Buc for life but not at all cost. the 3year 80 million number that keeps coming up is nonsense for a receiver that will be 31 when the new contract starts.
He is a great player and a great teammate however when he signed his current deal it made him the 2nd highest paid WR in the league and he has gotten paid every penny so far. he has not sacrificed any money.
Resign him to a realistic contract and be smart.