What Is Team Glazer’s Role In The Mike Evans Drama?
September 2nd, 2023
If you dig into the words offered by Mike Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, at least on face value it doesn’t appear the hangup with Evans’ getting re-signed is necessarily because of Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht.
Remember, exactly two weeks ago, Licht told Dan Pompei of The Athletic that, “I can’t see Mike playing anywhere else.”
So at least it doesn’t appear Licht is standing in the way of Evans returning for 2024.
Now at the high-wire-act risk of taking an agent at his word — Joe has nothing personal against agents, he just doesn’t trust them because truth, honesty and objective candor with third parties are not considered valuable attributes, virtues or assets in this line of work — Gilmore’s statement noted that the Bucs have until a week from today (one day before kickoff) to get a deal done. Or else!
But Gilmore seemed to praise Licht but not so much Team Glazer. Gilmore referred to Licht and his financial right-hand man, Mike Greenberg, as “professional.” In the next paragraph, Gilmore wrote “… the ball is now in the owner’s [sic] court.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is Team Glazer.
Is that where the hang-up lies? Joe can only speculate.
Look, it’s a reasonable concern for ownership to drop some $50 million (?) guaranteed in a 30-year old receiver. Go research 30-year old receivers. It’s very much a mixed bag. Especially when the team in question, the Bucs, is strangled by the salary cap with several young stars on the cusp of wanting to get paid.
At least for Joe, Gilmore’s word choices were very interesting.
September 2nd, 2023 at 8:09 am
Don’t poke that bear, Gilmore. Bad agency. If this is his most effective negotiating, he should’ve probably picked a different line of work.
September 2nd, 2023 at 8:13 am
Could the issue be tied to Chris Godwin? As long as he stays healthy they will have to pay him after next year. It would be almost impossible to retain both of them unless the Bucs have a young QB on a rookie deal..
September 2nd, 2023 at 8:21 am
I’ve been saying trade him since the end of last season.
Remember JL’s mentorship under Bill Belicheck and hearing those conversations about letting expensive older talent go.
Don’t forget the conversations ME& the GOAT have had about finishing with a Super Bowl contender.
Trade him
He will always be a Buc just as Brady will always be a Patriot
Many other examples of great players at the end of their careers
September 2nd, 2023 at 8:35 am
lol Frozenbrain, Evans played with Mike Glennon, the quarterback doesn’t matter to Mike. I guess the occult of Trask is going to stay permanently butt hurt.
September 2nd, 2023 at 8:36 am
So no deal by next Saturday or what?
September 2nd, 2023 at 8:43 am
FrontFour then negotiations stop during the season, he plays well and they pick back up after the season ends. Non issue here. Mike is a buc icon. Come on folks.
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:03 am
You speculate literally all the time but then a guy comes right out and says it and you soft pedal it to save face with ownership. Incredible journalistic chops guys.
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:11 am
Notice none of this started until they reworked Jensen’s contract to create the needed cash room for the season?
We’ve ALREADY got $24 million locked into a center who will never play again, for a total of $76 million of dead cap for this season. The agent is demanding something like 3 years, $80 million, nearly all guaranteed. (Godwin already making $20 mil per year) Odds are against Evans being a contributor by that 3rd season.
I’m glad I don’t have to make that call
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:22 am
I can’t believe that we’re STILL having this conversation. Once the media gets their claws into something, they won’t let go because … oh ya, until the season starts they have to manufacture news.
Mike Evans has the biggest CAP hit for us this year … $23.7 mil … so it’s in the Bucs’ best interest to get a deal done, either now or at the end of this season (preferably NOW since we’re currently sitting at MINUS $1.7 on the salary CAP & MUST get down to $0 by Sep 10th. Mike’s also confirmed that he’d love to remain a Buc for life, so that’s not standing in our way. He is probably coming up on his last contract & wants to be paid. No brainer; why wouldn’t he?
This is all just posturing in negations; not a big deal. Since JL has been here, I can’t think of a single instance when the Glazers have weighed in on PLAYER personnel matters (coaches yes; players no). They’re not micro-managers like some owners are. This all just comes down to money: Mike wants more; we have less. He’s under contract for this year, so there’s not a true urgency to make a deal. Wish the media would just let it play out and let’s get on to FOOTBALL.
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:33 am
The only way that Evans signs with the Bucs is if we trade away Frozenbrain. I’m told that even Trask is sick of him. Baker on the other hand wants him to stay so that the contributors on this site can continue to use Frozenbrain as a piñata.
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:34 am
Should have traded Evans and White for value this past off-season. Licht should have been stocking picks for the new head coach next season.
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:36 am
Lol
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:38 am
how bout them whining gators!! its a disgrace that UF football is basically on the level with USF. Cant wait to see Ga whoop that azz in JVILLE!! which is Georgia north!!
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:51 am
I honestly don’t get the problem in giving him a three year deal to get us through this reload/rebuild. Give him the raise with the money we will get with Gages eventual release. Thats $10m. We can run out with ME, Godwin and Palmer and have one of the best WR corps in the league, with the exact same investment we have this year. Mike is beloved in the community and one of our only known players. We need to do right by him. There will be plenty of cap space next year when the dead money comes off the books, getting this deal done is a commitment to Mike and the fans.
September 2nd, 2023 at 9:55 am
Mike is under contract for 2023 and the AGENT is putting artificial limits on the negotiations. Let the season start and see how Mike fits the new offense.
Assuming Mike is still a good fit and can continue playing at a high level, then work out something later. The Bucs are under a cap crunch due to Brady, Jensen, and Gage and have big deals due for Whitfield, and Devon White among others. So your choice is either
(1) Let Licht and Greenberg do their job.
OR
(2) Fire Licht and Greenberg and bring in AB to run the franchise to bankrupt it
For all those who several years ago wanted the Bucs to give a big contract to Antonio Brown, think about it.
September 2nd, 2023 at 10:13 am
It is the Glazers money after all, Licht is just an employee. I don’t blame them for not wanting to drop big cash on a long term deal for Evans at this point in his career. It’s possible he could follow in Sapp’s footsteps and go elsewhere for one more big payday.
September 2nd, 2023 at 10:15 am
Love Mike, but business is business. It’s not personal.
30yr old WR’s are not the guys to throw a ton of money at.
If it’s 2yr / 30M fully guaranteed deal…Sure.
Reasonable in length & total value – that allows ME to retire a Buc & eventually wear that yellow HOF jacket in Canton…But not a penny more.
September 2nd, 2023 at 10:25 am
UF, USF, UCF, all the same.. shiz teams
September 2nd, 2023 at 10:35 am
Defense Rules, you need your own blog site or podcast, my man. By far the most consistently insightful and nuanced takes I’ve encountered in any fan-driven comment section. Well stated, once again!
September 2nd, 2023 at 10:41 am
Trade him. He doesn’t care how much fans have to pay for a seat at the stadium. All he cares about is how much money will be in his bank account. He is under contract this year. The Bucs management would have to lose their grip on reality to resign him to a large contract. Trade him while he can still play.
September 2nd, 2023 at 11:11 am
Team Glazer issued the following statement:
“The Evans! Him wants it! The precious….”
September 2nd, 2023 at 11:17 am
catcard he’s just under 15 now and wants a raise. Reasonable.
How much of a raise? How many years?
What if you give the guy 22 mill guaranteed over two on an extension and he gets ~900 yards this season?
I think the high water mark to get a deal done now is 19 per. 3 years 57 mil with 42 guaranteed. Better than a sharp stick in the eye.
The guy is on the wrong side of 30 and his number is unlikely to go up after this season.
September 2nd, 2023 at 12:16 pm
80 mil over 3 is nuts. He’ll never get it from anyone unless he blows up 1400 yards this year.
September 2nd, 2023 at 12:27 pm
Love ME13 and want him to be a forever Buc, but 3 years/$80M is too much.
September 2nd, 2023 at 4:22 pm
#GlazerGangGonnaGiveGreenToGalvestonGuy 🙂
September 3rd, 2023 at 7:35 am
I agree Joe.
But Gilmore is not negotiating with the Glazers directly is he?
So the choice of words tells me Licht and company have simply said no.
Go Bucs!