Report: NFL Big Shots Expect Bucs Will Try To Keep Mike Evans
December 24th, 2023
NFL intel.
The Bucs have three more games in the 2023 regular season. There may be a home playoff game, too. Maybe a road playoff game, as well.
Still, it’s not too early to think about the makeup of the Bucs in 2024.
Over at The Athletic, NFL insider Diana Russini worked her network and claims NFL shot-callers are of the mind the Bucs will make a serious effort to try to keep future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans.
Who is saying this? NFL general managers, who very likely have spoken with Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht about Evans.
The Buccaneers are on a playoff push, and though 10-year veteran wide receiver Mike Evans doesn’t want to distract from their season by discussing his contract, he is up for a payday after another productive season. The Bucs are using Evans in a variety of ways, and he has 11 touchdown catches amid another 1,000-yard receiving season.
Evans started the season as an impending free agent after the Buccaneers decided not to extend him, and based on his performance this year, the price may have gone up. Over the last few weeks, I’ve had two general managers not named Jason Licht share that they believe Evans is playing the best football of his career. And the Bucs want to keep him.
Joe could argue this is one of the best seasons of Evans’ great career. And Joe thinks that Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales is responsible for that.
Even Evans said earlier this year Canales has him running all sorts of different routes new to him. And the way Joe looks at it, the results speak for themselves.
Maybe, just maybe, Canales is the kind of guy who is finding ways for a thirtysomething receiver to make plays at an elite level, even though he may not be as athletically sharp as he was five or seven years ago.
December 24th, 2023 at 1:21 am
He is still physically sharp and he’s faster, was clocked doing 21-1/2 mph
December 24th, 2023 at 1:44 am
First ballot Hall of Fame player. Bucs need to make him a forever Buc.
December 24th, 2023 at 2:42 am
A legend in the making. A man’s man. Leads by example. Someone whose actions speak instead of his pie hole. A rarity in today’s world. Walks the walk. The Bucs are lucky to have him. Thanks for the memories man!
December 24th, 2023 at 2:43 am
Wow absolute genious there umm…Diana!
Geez!
Go Bucs!
December 24th, 2023 at 2:59 am
Preseason Ian Beckles said Evans had lost a step or two …
Mike has 2-3 x1000 seasons left. He’s motivated to by his place in the record book. He won’t have an off year due to a payday.
December 24th, 2023 at 3:53 am
Duh
Of course they are gonna TRY to keep him.
It’s not like the jury is still out on his play or anything.
It wasn’t out for me in preseason, but every fan wants to be the, I Told You genius that says he has lost a step.
Did we screw the pooch by gambling on a few million?
God I hope not. At least we now KNOW Baker will get him his yards.
Even at the expense of losing games apparently.
But, BUT, does Mike wanna go play with Mahomes and win another SB, or stay with Baker and tie Jerry Rice’s record?
It pisses me off that he COULD legitimately piss in the face of Licht and CO.
He has every right to do so.
In fact, the fastest way to become a playoff team again is STILL ME13 and CG14.
And Im talking about a winning playoff team, not backing in with a losing record and getting blown out at Home.
December 24th, 2023 at 4:13 am
He’s faster now than when he was drafted.
Desean Jackson inspired Mike to do track and field training.
Tom Brady inspired Mike to become more pliable and leaner.
Tom Brady ran a faster 40 time at the age of 44 than he did when he was drafted.
Mike Evans has said that he is faster now than at 23.
Mike Evans is MORE athletic at the age of 30 than he was at 25.
And he’s noticeably stronger and tougher.
Die hard fans will remember that he used to shy away from hits.
Now, he delivers them.
Mike Evans: 3 years. 75 million. 75 guaranteed.
December 24th, 2023 at 7:37 am
Duh
December 24th, 2023 at 7:46 am
We all know Mike deserved to be paid but the question was how much. He should be paid A LOT more than what he could have got before the season. I love Mike and I like mayfield who seemed hell bent on seeing only Mike just to get him to 1,000 yards. Since then, Mayfield seems to be seeing other players. All QBs need WRs that can make plays and without them a qb will not succeed, just look at Bryce Young who has no one, Justin Fields who has only Moore, and Mahomes who is elite but because his WRs drop the ball they are not 1st seed. If Mayfield is our QB next year (he should be) and Mike is gone then you will see a drop off in Mayfield and he wouldn’t be around a third year.
December 24th, 2023 at 8:19 am
I have a feeling that Baltimore will make a hard push for him. As most people know the Ravens could use another WR, they got a strong arm QB and Evans and their OC have a history.
December 24th, 2023 at 8:46 am
Mike’s not going anywhere. He will retire as a Buccaneer.
Licht will make sure of that. Even if it means ‘overpaying’ to keep #13 – it will get done.
Evans has put himself in a GREAT negotiating position – which continues to benefit the current team.
Bucs said – “we don’t think you are worth $25M per at this stage of your career. Prove it.”
Big Mike just smiled and said – “Here – hold my beer for a minute…..”
December 24th, 2023 at 8:47 am
Do yourself a favor boyz and girlz, and read Licht’s bio on the Bucs home site. ME13 was, if not the first player, one of the very first players Licht drafted. So there’s a special feeling between these two. I will predict both future HOFamers ME13 and LVD will get a much deserved payday and retire as Bucs. Now go out and declaw the Jags, dudes!!!
December 24th, 2023 at 8:48 am
If the Bucs had the money, and we make it to the playoffs they’d sign everyone back. We have young players like Wirfs who need deals too. I think Jason will let them all test the market knowing he can match offers, and get some of them back. Look at it this way tho. Baker says to Evans, let’s keep this going. Both want to be here, less might be more to stay put. Bucs should not bid against themselves. I firmly believe Licht, and Evans want to get a deal done, and Mike will retire a Buc, be in the ROH, and the hall of fame.
December 24th, 2023 at 9:05 am
The Bucs get rid of a lot of dead cap after this season, Mike will be resigning here. I’m not sure why anyone would think the way to get better is let good football players walk for potential draft picks.
December 24th, 2023 at 9:10 am
There’s not a single Bucs fan worth his salt ever thought that Mike was going anywhere. They’ll work it out. Mike Evans is a Buccaneer and will always be a Buccaneer.
December 24th, 2023 at 9:10 am
I would like ME13 to get his 3 yr deal. Also, AWjr31, and TW78!!! Not so much for DW45! He can walk
December 24th, 2023 at 9:18 am
dude is marinating……………..sign money mike
when he’s done he can sit with them:
sapp
brooks
lynch
alstott
barber
evans
selmon (rip)
gotta be careful with jerry jones – he might throw a brinks truck at him
December 24th, 2023 at 9:18 am
Licht better not try to nickel and dime him or he will leave. Evans is the type of player that can make a struggling QB look good. He services will be in high demand.
December 24th, 2023 at 9:22 am
remember when mike was a young hot headed receiver…?
now he’s a pro’s pro…
if you need mike to go down field and get a PI call, he’s got you
December 24th, 2023 at 9:25 am
we don’t need anyone big and important to tell us this, we have Joe
December 24th, 2023 at 10:22 am
mike’s gonna be just fine…
bossman licht is gonna give him the 20 mil per, and then he’s gonna say “here mike, you can have devin’s money as well”… 🙂
making for a juicy payday, and an ear to ear grin for me13
December 24th, 2023 at 10:30 am
TOO MUCH HYPE on ME13 right now….too much.
ME13 reminds me so much of Vincent Jackson…..same big body and speed…….still productive in his later years…..then the follow season, his performance just feel off a Cliff.
I’m happy that Mike is setting himself for one last big payday…..because he deserves it…..
December 24th, 2023 at 10:46 am
“A serious effort”? No. FTS. Sign him, Licht. You gambled, you lost.
If he ends up in another uniform and they say “we made a serious effort,” that won’t be good enough.
Evan’s should be a Buc for Life.
December 24th, 2023 at 11:15 am
Evans resigning means Mayfield, Bowles and Canales will be back
December 24th, 2023 at 2:14 pm
Evans has made Baker look like a decent NFL QB, that’s how incredible he is.
December 24th, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Will ME13 give the Bucs a “home town discount?” Or Will he chase the big $$$$ in FA?????
December 24th, 2023 at 8:34 pm
I mean… duh.
I’ve said this season started. Maybe Diana should just come to me when she wants information lol.