Mike Evans’ Agent Speaks Out, Backs Up Jason Licht
March 2nd, 2024
So Mike Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, is on the record this morning.
“Mike wants to play with an elite quarterback in an offense that will showcase him — and be paid like a top wide receiver. He doesn’t want to play with a rookie QB. Winning a Super Bowl is a key priority, Gilmore said via Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Sounds the Bucs are a perfect fit, unless you are in the camp that doesn’t believe Baker Mayfield is a top-shelf quarterback.
Joe was intrigued by this Gilmore take because it was in line with what Bucs general manager Jason Licht told the Ira Kaufman Podcast this week.
“I do know that Mike really likes Baker; I know that that’s important to him,” Licht said. “I know when you’re a player of Mike’s caliber, but also at a point in his career, you know, he doesn’t want to mess around with a quarterback he doesn’t trust or know.”
The Evans and Mayfield camps seemingly have gone out of their way to position themselves as a package deal in free agency for Tampa Bay. Joe sees Gilmore’s comments today as another ball thrown in that basket.
The franchise tag deadline is on the afternoon of March 5. The Bucs have not tagged a player this offseason.
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:59 am
““Mike wants to play with an elite quarterback in an offense that will showcase him — and be paid like a top wide receiver.”
Bye Mike.
He obviously doesn’t want to play with Baker Mayfield again.
Plus – he wants north of $25M per season…
Like I have been saying – it’s either Houston or KC.
March 2nd, 2024 at 9:59 am
Get-r-did Jason.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:00 am
So sounds to me that we will end up paying about top dollar for Baker if we want to resign Mike. And maybe we should. I don’t know. But I know that losing both could be a disaster.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:02 am
Bye infamous M1K3. Legend. What you are looking for doesnt exist at Raymond James stadium. Go Bucs!
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:05 am
Who wouldnt want to play with Baker Mayfield
A young Probowl QB.
Theyve made it clear. Bucs dont resign Mayfield, Then Evans is outta here
Hes not gonna spend his last years with some rookie, or a 4th rate Noodle armed back up.
Get Busy Mr. Light. The Bucs future and your career hang in the Balance.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:10 am
Even with Mike, and Baker both coming back the Bucs are not going to be superbowl contenders. They did better then expected last season, but they were one game above .500, and wouldn’t have made the playoffs had they not been in the NFC South. Just because you over pay to keep them, expecting a much better record next year seems like a reach. Drafting a receiver in the first round on the cheap might be a better way to go then signing a 31 year old vet who needs to come off the field after every catch, and needs vet days off during camp, not appearing in any preseason games. I’d rather spend that money on a FA edge rusher.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:13 am
@Marine..I disagree. Mike and Baker are huge fans of each other. Mike is coming off of one of his best seasons ever. The 1000 yard receiving mark is a big deal to Mike. He and Baker hit it after week 13 this past season. They are a package deal. Houston is a possibility but I’m doubtful that will happen.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:21 am
His agent just said it!
You want Evans then you sign Mayfield first!
Have Comprehension skills just fallen off of the map lately?
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:24 am
@ Lt. Dan
Let me repeat the quote from Mike’s agent –
“Mike wants to play with an elite quarterback”
Do you really consider Mayfield “an elite quarterback”?
If you do then we can just agree to disagree… All good in da hood homie.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:25 am
We have other needs than to commit 25 million a season to Mike, and if Dave Canales is this quarterback guru that the nfl thinks he is, how do we know that 2024 Baker doesn’t revert back to his old self? This year was a fluke and our defensive guys should get paid but if Mike and Baker want huge paydays then they should come from somewhere else!
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:29 am
mark2001 … ‘So sounds to me that we will end up paying about top dollar for Baker if we want to resign Mike.’
I hope you’re wrong Mark. Bucs have 5 top FAs we hope to re-sign, PLUS we have to do a new contract for Tristan Wirfs (his current CAP hit of $18.6 mil can’t be lowered without a new contract). If we do $40 mil for Baker, $25 mil for Evans, $20 mil for Winfield, $10 mil for LVD & $5 mil for McLaughlin, that’s $100 mil annual cost right there (not CAP hit; wages). Add in say $25 mil for Wirfs, plus the $20 mil that Godwin makes, $18 mil that Vea makes, $15 mil for Davis & $13 mil for Dean and you’re now up to over $190 mil annual salary for just 9 players. On top of that we’d have to compensate for roughly $42 mil for Dead CAP & Jensen & Shaq, and that’d come fairly close to the $255 salary CAP, before we start counting the other 44 guys on the team.
I understand that we can structure contracts to ‘mortgage the future’, but there comes a point where you just can’t pay your top players THAT MUCH and still be competitive.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:32 am
If u want Mike here, then u better sign Baker…that’s the proposal stated, clear and dry
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:33 am
Yawn.
Bye Princess ME.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:37 am
If I was Evans, I’d go to KC. Hall of Fame Coach who has an aggressive offensive mindset. Hall of Fame QB who will throw me the ball…..a lot. Hall of Fame tight end who is a major a-hole but one that will let me have single coverage more often as well as helping out in the run game which will also benefit me.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:41 am
They’ll tag Winfield. It’s that simple. They’ll sign bake and Mike.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:44 am
The agents comments seem to scream. KC, the only problem with that is they won’t be able to afford signing Evans to a top dollar deal. Which swings it back our way. Stroud had a great rookie year, but he’s no longer a surprise to the league. And honestly, I think we’re closer to the super bowl than the Texans are in a stacked AFC.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:45 am
On one hand it sounds like Evans wants to be signed along with Baker. On the other hand it sounds like he is going to KC. Hoping that it isn’t the latter. We need him here.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:46 am
Get bakers deal done and Mike is back simple as that..lfg go bucs
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:47 am
Is this the same agent Mike has always had? I hate this type of tactic by agents. It’s so tacky and distasteful.
Mike, I hope you’re back with the Bucs but at the end of the day, if you want out, then leave! If your agent is doing this to squeeze more money from the Bucs, it looks pathetic and desperate.
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:52 am
@ Marine Buc
You are so far off and keep thinking that ‘thought
I’ll hit you back up when he’s back in camp wearing the Buccaneers logo!
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:01 am
Anyone who thinks Mayfield’s agent and Evans’ agent are not texting every ten minutes is naive.
They are playing Licht and Licht is playing them.
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:08 am
@ Steven007
Mahomes has already stated that he would restructure his contract in order to sign better receivers…
If KC wants to get it done it will get done.
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:10 am
@ Robb
I hope ME13 stays in Tampa.
But if he wants to play with an “ELITE” QB it won’t be in Tampa.
Mayfield is an OK QB but he is nowhere near “ELITE”…
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:10 am
What Hodad said. Bucs would be better served investing the crazy money Evans wants on FA edge rushers, Oline and corners
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:15 am
Well MIKE seems to think Baker is “elite”, but I don’t know that getting a ton of yards and TD’s is enough anymore, which means KC imo
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:17 am
Bucs check most of those boxes, though I’m not sure Mayfield qualifies as “elite”.
Still seems like KC and Houston are possible targets. Maybe even the Jets?
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:20 am
Well I love my Buccaneers and I do believe that we can be good but if Mike Evans wants another Super Bowl he might as well go to the Chiefs because Baker is not winning a Super Bowl so I guess that’s pretty much what his agent is saying it’s been a hell of you guys want if his agent said he wants to win a Super Bowl he’s not staying with the Buccaneers
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:20 am
Yeah…….it’s a bit premature to call Baker “Elite” after he had one good season.
If Baker does it again……then MAYBE…..but Elite is saying he’s like in the Top 5 ranking in the NFL and that he is not.
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:23 am
It’s not a good sign that the agent is making public statements. I am less optimistic about getting Evans back, even though I believe the Bucs will make (or have made) a competitive offer.
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:26 am
Pretty much Evans is saying that he doesn’t want to play with the Buccaneers anymore if he’s saying he wants to be on a Super Bowl winning team so if his agent is being for real he needs to just come out and say he doesn’t want to be a Buccaneer anymore if all Mike Evans wants is a Super Bowl he should go to the Chiefs or the bills or the Niners cuz let’s be honest I love my Buccaneers but they’re not winning a Super Bowl with Baker Mayfield does anybody else not see that if his agent saying he’s wanting to play for a team to win a Super Bowl he’s basically saying he doesn’t want to play with the Buccaneers
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:32 am
If of what his agent says is true Mike himself needs to come out and just say he does not want to be a Buccaneer anymore I love the man I want him to be a Buccaneer don’t get me wrong but if he’s wanting to win a Super Bowl there’s a lot of other avenues to take
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:39 am
Evans has earned the right to test FA and get top dollar he believes! Hope he stays a Buc but wouldn’t blame him one bit for bolting to a clear SB contender! Anyone who wouldn’t do the same, is not being honest!
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:43 am
Only 1 team wins the SB, I wouldn’t read too much into that. Evans understands signing with KC or SF doesn’t guarantee a damn thing. The AFC is a gauntlet that 4-5 teams could emerge from. NFC is a much easier road.
Baker just had an elite season with Mike. He is enough for Mike, so debating if Baker is elite or not is pointless. Asking if he will revert back without Canales, haha what a joke, Canales isn’t on the field processing and throwing the ball. Baker was playing injured before he left Cleveland and then was with terrible situations after. If Baker didn’t show you he’s a top 12 QB this year I think you need an eye exam or need to watch some other QBs in the league not named Mahomes and Lamar.
The KC thing doesn’t make sense to me. Why pay Evans 26 when you can bring back Jones for 30? Also a stud WR class is sitting there… Rice has a season under his belt, KC could add a 1st round WR and maybe keep Jones. Don’t know how that isn’t option A for them.
Can’t lose Mike, will be painful, can’t believe you “fans” chirping him and wanting him to walk. If I wanted to see a record holding, hall of fame WR walk out the door then I would gladly accept spending FA money on an edge and drafting a WR first round but we are talking about Mike Evans a top 10 WR to ever play. Is he a top 10 talented WR, prolly not even close but the numbers don’t lie.
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:46 am
He wants to play with an elite qb who will showcase him and be paid elite money…..rflmao. Srsly…..rflmao
We had an elite qb who was elite as he ignored mike and only forced him the ball to get 1k.
With the agents statement the only place for him is kc. He just hurt his negotiating power for kc…..and stuck his foot in his mouth for Tampa. Truly moronic statement from the agent of a wr with moronic demands. Send a clear message he is no longer welcome here. He just did the same to Tampa. F him lol
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:46 am
Mike doesn’t want to play with Trask.
I think that’s the message here.
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:55 am
Sounds like Mahomes hes at the top of the shelf and elite.
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:59 am
I’ll say it now” I never had any intention of leaving the bucs! It was a done deal, just a way to jockey for more money, I wanna be paid right. Presser with mike talking as he signs new deal. Cmon man!
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:05 pm
Marine Buc Says:
Bye Mike.
He obviously doesn’t want to play with Baker Mayfield again.
and thats why we the true Buc fans rightfully call you haters. The data coming out of Mike’s own mouth and everyone around him is that Mike thinks highly of Baker but your emotions won’t give in to fact and childishly tries to spin it another way.
the context in english is something you should look to learning. Tha agent’s context lainly stated is not wantingto play for a rookie or newb. That rules out all of haters fantasy of getting another “elite” Qb in the draft . It leaves the bucs, houston and KC in play. It eliminatee Pats, Panthers and a bunch of othr teams that were being talked of.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:07 pm
I think Mike has had the same agent since coming to the NFL. So now he is on the record and some of us are worried. I know I am. It would be terrible to lose Evans. It sounds like KC.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Marine buc says 2st of all u r post name is dumb u shud b posting on the dolphins site cause everything u post sounds like a lover of left handed want a b.never trust a lefty Homie stop posting stupid stuff only a do.phin wud post Homie that language is high school stuff.this message is from an elite fan in tampa
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:21 pm
Yeah cuz yall know everything like usual
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:30 pm
@ Tony
You mad bro?
Your insults as usual are petty and only prove your argument is weak.
Nobody in their right mind believes Baker Mayfield is an “ELITE” NFL QB.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:31 pm
Boss Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:46 am
With the agents statement the only place for him is kc. He just hurt his negotiating power for kc…..and stuck his foot in his mouth for Tampa. Truly moronic statement from the agent of a wr with moronic demands.
Yeah this seems odd for an agent. Obviously once you throw Super bowl out there the defending champions are lit up but then you also say you want top dollar which is the least likely with KC and their cap situation.
seems to me like its a signal for Houston to jump in when free agency comes up. They are more likely to give him everything he wants Including showcasing. Or to the chagrin of Haters here – Mike believes Tampa needs to step up the dollars and can win a SB with Him and Baker
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Baker had Mike with in a stone’s throw of a superbowl in their 1st year as team mates ,didn’t we play most of the best teams in the league with our heads up high I don’t remember any blowouts, so good chance which is what this league is all about chance.so I think baker has all the makings of elite qb I saw all the signs this season add up his accomplishments this past season he is well on his way.he may have been a fill in in pro bowl but elite qb rise to the occasion which mvp& passer comp winner,with a perfect qbr in GB says it all
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Mayfield had a chance in the playoffs to make a statement. With a int early and one to end the game he made it loud and clear. That’s after two must win games at the end of the regular season that he choked in. You can thank the defense.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:45 pm
the chances of KC winning 3 in a row is slim to none so unless u r stupid enough to think kc wins 3 in a row Evans ain’t going g anywhere plus I don’t think Houston needs Mike they have the WR covered why wud they pay him 25 m that’s a happy note tho, get real!
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:46 pm
Sign Baker, Winfield, Wirfs, LVD and the kicker. Trade CGoodwin and CDavis and/or Dean. We can get younger, faster and better value via the draft.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:50 pm
KC doesn’t have the cap space for Mike, unless they’re going to do some restructuring and take the cap hit in future years.
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Sine76 says same old commentary I wud happily say baker made us look above our grad some int r a product of a particular route that didn’t pan out he had 1 of the lowest int’s of all the qb this season.i wud say his playoff was more than elite while it didn’t workout for our SB appearance I certainly think he earned this job for many reasons so we will. NO matter what the haters say is mayfield will b u r future qb get behind the team this season shud b awesome
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:52 pm
I would just tag Mike and be done with all that, Gives us plenty of time to work out a long term deal and just sign Baker to a 3 yr 90 mil deal
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Plus bucs will be like old days bucs with paying them both
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:57 pm
How about within a failed Baker drive within an NFC Championship game.
You guys are ridiculous saying it was close when they needed a TD and 2 point conversion.
Mike has never publicly said he WANTS Baker back. It’s the other way around and the media put words in his mouth. This guy wants to go from 4 to. 40 million in 1 year. What a joke.
PS. Tony Marks is NOT a TRUE BUCS FAN.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Regardless of your stance on Evans and/or Mayfield…..I would like to thank all of you who type in fluent, coherent English. It’s quite refreshing to see and lends a great deal of credibility to your argument whether it’s agreed with by others or not.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:06 pm
BillyBucco Says:
PS. Tony Marks is NOT a TRUE BUCS FAN.
Bowles is a baker fanboi. So is Licht, Buc front office and most fans.
We had a comitte meeting yesterday and voted you off the real fan base
You can continue to post and believe you are fan but its official – you have no standing.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:16 pm
Since76 Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Mayfield had a chance in the playoffs to make a statement. With a int
🙂 Sorry lost since 76. We all saw the game and the first pick so you will forever lose.
Its probably why Evans if he re – signs with the Bucs will do so. He needs to make up for all the Baker passes he dropped and especialy that one in both his hands he played volleyball with.
Guilt is a poweful motivator. I am sure Evans is studying the shape of volleyballs as distinct from American football so as not to make the blunder again. Dont be too hard on him . He is only human.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:23 pm
@ Tony
You have stated yourself that Baker is ranked @ #12-#14…
How is that considered elite?
Baker is a very average (sometimes below average) QB.
You can insult everyone who disagrees with you but that does not change reality.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Tony marks your absolutely right Baker should feel guilty about the way he played. Guilt doesn’t make a player play better. Nice try. Fans of the “team” look at the entire team and not one player. Especially an inconsistent one.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
How many times have we seen the perfect situation for teams throughout the years ? But things didn’t work out for them to hoist the Lombardi trophy. The Eagles were the last. Can we say for sure that the Texans will make it there with Evans? The last time I checked, there’s a certain level of uncertainty in making that statement. Tom Brady only did it once with the Bucs with all of the players that were brought in and the still cap problems haunt us.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Jason Licht is not in a habit of over paying for anything. If he’s going to pay the average of the top 5 salaries of a position with a franchise tag you are going to have to be close to it.
This is certainly some5hing that can be debated although I won’t as it is just an opinion.
Evans is just outside the top 10 and ranked 11.
Mayfield is in the top 20 at 14.
Winfield is top 5 and ranked 4.
If anyone gets tagged it will be Winfield. Deserved top 5 money and will be expected to give top 5 play and effort. Basically give him a taste of what’s coming down the line.
Would Licht have considered Mayfield last season @ 20 million? Doubt it.
It was a cheap QB to bring in to compete and fill their QB roster.
He’ll let Mayfield / Evans set their price and say Yes or No regardless of how popular the decision will be.
Don’t be surprised if Licht makes a deal for their replacement while the two of them are out chasing a pot of gold.
Players will state it’s a business when they chase a bigger deal and that that business can have a downside.
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:50 pm
We are going to sign Mike. They can’t sign Mike until Mayfield signs. Mayfield wants a huge pile of guaranteed cash so he can relax, stop the Jeff Garcia routine and get his passes batted down at the line of scrimmage comfortably into retirement. They have to talk him into a moderate pile of cash that ensures once or twice a game he pulls a Mike Alstott style “fight like hell for two yards” play that gets everyone so jazzed up they forget he gets anything but a fly or a screen batted down at the line of scrimmage (ok, sometimes the screen). All this long enough to execute Bruce Arians unspoken, underrated and undeniably proven strategy (he did it at AZ too) of decent defense plus elite wide receiver core equals top tier free agent veteran quarterback signing who needs a ring.
March 2nd, 2024 at 2:13 pm
KC was garbage last year can we all be real here? They are dangerous in the playoffs, as Mahomes is like Brady in that manner. But mid season they really looked like trash…. Let’s add in that Denver sucked last year and they will be more competitive this year getting rid of Russ.
I think ME knows that our division is the easiest ticket to playoffs in the nfl. Saints, panthers, falcons all trying to figure it out. Bucs are close… with a more establish run game from white, and Godwin being used in the slot – ME will get more room to show off.
A lot of you guys a kooks and whiny. Go bucs
March 2nd, 2024 at 2:13 pm
KC was garbage last year can we all be real here? They are dangerous in the playoffs, as Mahomes is like Brady in that manner. But mid season they really looked like trash…. Let’s add in that Denver sucked last year and they will be more competitive this year getting rid of Russ.
I think ME knows that our division is the easiest ticket to playoffs in the nfl. Saints, panthers, falcons all trying to figure it out. Bucs are close… with a more establish run game from white, and Godwin being used in the slot – ME will get more room to show off.
A lot of you guys are very whiny. Go bucs.
March 2nd, 2024 at 2:17 pm
I think you all are paying to much attention to his exact words. I’m sure Mike’s agent gave Licht a list of quarterbacks he wouldn’t mind playing with, (FA’s or possible trades). Is Baker Elite? No! But he had a way better season than I expected from him. If Baker continues to do well than $40 million a year is the going rate but I’m hoping for less a year with bigger bonus. Look at Geno Smith in Seattle after Canales left. I don’t think Baker wins us a Super Bowl but I would love to be proven wrong. Mike and Baker seem to have a good chemistry along with Mr. Consistent Godwin. If TE play improves and Rachaad White improving every year I think it could be great for the Bucs. I don’t want to go back to my season ending in week 17 anymore.
March 2nd, 2024 at 2:31 pm
“Sounds the Bucs are a perfect fit, unless you are in the camp that doesn’t believe Baker Mayfield is a top-shelf quarterback.”
Baker literally isn’t a top-shelf quarterback.
He’s a career bust that just had a “career year” in which he still was barely in the top 20 QBs in the league — and that in a year when only 9 guys started every game. Out of those 9, Baker was last in scoring and yards.
With two games left in the season, needing to win one of those two to get into the playoffs, Baker choked and had his two worst games of the year.
Then in the playoffs, in the biggest moment of his career, with 2 minutes left and the game on the line, Baker choked.
Mike is saying he actually wants to win another SB by playing with an elite QB. That isn’t Baker, he’s telling the Chiefs to make him an offer. But that makes no sense since the Baker Bois have repeatedly told me Baker is better than Mahomes, better than Brady, better than Brees. LOL!
March 2nd, 2024 at 2:39 pm
Elite quarterbacks don’t like their balls dropped.
March 2nd, 2024 at 2:48 pm
Marine Buc Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:23 pm
@ Tony
You have stated yourself that Baker is ranked @ #12-#14…
How is that considered elite?
sigh……Go look up the word. By any stretch of the English language if you are top 12 in the world in anything thats considered ELITE. Plus come post season It easy to put Baker in the top ten. What good is Dak since he folds every post season? How does that get you ranked above Baker who actually elevated his numbers? Who pays tens of millions just for season numbers without post season? they give out SB rings based on seaso numbrs alone?
ITs time to put all you nitwits in the same David category because you reasoning is no better than him
Baker goes to the probowl but you ciaim as fact he’s average
MIke says he is great and vastly underated but you say as fact he is average
Licht says he has been great and the front office is working to resign him for tens of millions but you say as fact he is average
the entire professional NFL world says he had a great year but you say as fact it was average.
He is top 8 in TDs but another of the nitwit brigade claims he is 20 in scoring
which raises he question WHO ARE YOU IN THE NFL?
NOBODY.
When all the experts say the world is round but theres a bunch claiming no its not its flat then be insulted
You earn the moniker – nitwit.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Since76 Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
Tony marks your absolutely right Baker should feel guilty about the way he played.
nine year old tactic trying to change what I said but if you are nine years old that would explain a lot. Like I said we all saw the first int and as even the commentators said – it was an Evans error so you lose… FOREVER
You are in the minority so you get no vote who is a fan. The entire origanization suports baker along with the whole locker room. So if you are agaisnt the coach, the gm and th players and their consensus then what are you a real fan of?
the logo?
LOL faker “fan”.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:06 pm
Mikes agent Deryk Gilmore supposedly used the phrase “elite QB”. By ANY definition Baker had an elite year statistically “last” year. He lead the team to Division Championship and playoff win but MORE importantly Mike Evans JUST had his THIRD most productive year in a HOF career. So like it or not Baker is “elite” in Mikes eyes and his agents. So people on here saying Baker isn’t “elite” are judging the word “elite” differently. Mike will sign if we sign Baker and if the Bucs step up in money. 100%. KC and Houston are in play but the Bucs are 1 million percent still in play with Baker. Dont get tripped up over opinionated labeling of Bakers ability. Baker is not “elite” in my eyes either but he is in theirs.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:12 pm
@ Rod
He’s a career bust that just had a “career year” in which he still was barely in the top 20 QBs in the league
I agree.
I have Baker ranked #16 and that is being kind.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:14 pm
@ tony
All the insults in the world doesn’t change reality – Baker Mayfield struggles to be a mediocre NFL QB.
Sorry but you can’t convince me that he is in the top #15.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:25 pm
Baker was 1 ZILLION PERCENT an “elite” QB LAST year. NOONE can dispute it. He was top 8 or 9 in every important passing category. Yards, Completions, TDs etc. He was ELITE last year. So was Mike. It does NOT matter if Baker has been elite for his entire career, which we all know he hasn’t been. But he was ELITE last year for the division winning Bucs. So ALL that matters is Mike wants to play with him and people getting their underwear in bundles over “labeling” and defining the word “elite” is an exercise in futility. Maybe Baker and Evans “combo” is the secret sauce that allows Baker to have “back to back” elite QB seasons. And when I say “elite” QB Im using Mike Evans agents definition of Elite. And that is the ONLY one that matters. NOT my own or the other know it all people define the word.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:25 pm
Marine Buc Says:
Sorry but you can’t convince me that he is in the top #15.
🙂 and who are you again?
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:35 pm
@ tony
“🙂 and who are you again?”
I am the assistant to the Regional Manager.
March 2nd, 2024 at 3:36 pm
Agree it looks like Mike and Baker pitching themselves as a package deal to drive salaries for both. The team mortgaged the future for TB, should not do it for ME and BM. There are always options.
March 2nd, 2024 at 5:02 pm
I admit I could be wrong, and I know he makes some wild catches, but it seems like he drops twice as many as he makes. Maybe Mike Evans is a little bit overrated?
March 2nd, 2024 at 5:06 pm
This team have too many needs to put too much money into two top paid positions. Now, we need multiple edge rushers after Shaq’s release. The center/guards area need to be addressed. Middle Linebackers are a need. Safeties and corners could use some upgrades. Hopefully a bruising running back to complement Rachaard White.
I wish Evans would stay, but wideouts can be drafted. Of course it rare to find a rookie to produce like he had. It’s very disrespectful to over look or downplay that. I’m very thankful for Evans contributions for the Bucs.
It’s simply a business move. We aren’t Super Bowl ready yet. We need to remake the foundation again. We are rebuilding now.
March 2nd, 2024 at 5:15 pm
“Look up the word. By any stretch of the English language if you are top 12 in the world in anything thats considered ELITE.”
With that logic every NFL player is elite. This isn’t a participation trophy. By NFL standards Baker isn’t an elite QB. There are probably only 5 or 6 elite QB’s in the NFL
March 2nd, 2024 at 5:35 pm
Joeinmichigan acting like a prom queen again…..
Just can’t get me outta her mouth.
March 2nd, 2024 at 6:21 pm
“Mostly Peaceful Trask Fan Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 11:46 am
Mike doesn’t want to play with Trask.
I think that’s the message here.”
……………………………….
Or any OTHER inexperienced QB, I’d wager. Dude is looking at 13 years, all with 1k yards. I believe in the back of his mind he thinks he can do 15. Would be the equivalent of Brady playing until 45
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:10 pm
Let Mike and Baker go along with Gage. Draft a WR or two this year. Sign a FA QB to battle Trask. Use this year to get right financially.
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:31 pm
Dom Says:
March 2nd, 2024 at 5:15 pm
With that logic every NFL player is elite.
You don’t have any logic so it beats yours. NO way of knowing what the agent thought when he used the word “Elite”.
Nowhere in the dictionary indicates elite means top 5. Thats why it always was silly to focus on the one word and not the whole context. The agent then said not a rookie.
thinking the agent was limiting his client to just the top five is dumb. No NFL agent would do that . Most teams paying top 5 money don’t have the cash to sign Evans to top wr money which tha agent also stated is necessary.
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:43 pm
KC would not pay Tyreke Hill top dollar and they knew what he could do which is so much more than Evans can offer. What makes you think KC is going to pay top dollar for an older receiver that does less than what Hill could do. THIS IS A FACT, they are not going to pay Evans the money Tampa will pay
March 2nd, 2024 at 7:48 pm
If Mike Evans of all players can’t get his payday with us after renegotiating team friendly deals several times, it sends a terrible message to other free agents (our own and others) down the line.
Can’t blame him if he does sign elsewhere because the second any of our players try to get what they’re worth, our fickle fan base freaks out.
Hope Licht gets it done but if not I’ll always cheer for the greatest to ever do it in a Bucs uniform
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:20 pm
He wants a Superbowl…so he’s leaving the Bucs then…because Mayfield IS NOT a ‘top shelf quarterback’.
He’s smack dab in the middle of league starting quarterbacks.
Statistically.
March 2nd, 2024 at 8:32 pm
BYE MIKE!
He got greedy in his old age.
BYE MIKE!
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:11 pm
Yall are JUST FANS BUT REAL BALLERS RESPECT N KNOW OTHER BALLERS..MIKE ALREADY KNOW BAKER IS A ELITE QB TALENT N MIKE HAD HIS BEST YEAR WITH BAKER NOT EVEN BRADY COULD ESTABLISH THE CHEMISTRY MIKE N BAKER HAD…. MIKE TELLING THE GM IF YOU DONT RE-SIGN BAKER THEN IM NOT COMING BACK BCUZ HE IS TRYING TO WIN A RING N BAKER MORE THEN CAPABLE N GETTING 2 THE SUPERBOWL…. Here is a KNOWN FACT in the NFL the Only QBs that is 100% capable of getting to the Playoffs an 4SURE Winning Playoff games r BAKER, PURDY,GOFF, STAFFORD,HURTS….. And the Elite AFC QBs who WIN their teams games an are GOOD are MAHOMES, ALLEN, BURROW BAKER ALL these QBs have got PAID FRANCHIS QB $$$$ N WE SEEN WITH OUR OWN EYES These QBs take their team to the Playoffs n Win games n play Good football……N BAKER IS THE ONLY QB BESIDES MAHOMES TO NEVER GO 1 N DONE IN THE PLAYOFFS N HE IS 3RD BEST OUT OF ALL THESE TOP ELITE PLAYOFFS QBS IN THE ENTIRE NFL AFC & NFC……..
I RESEARCHED N PULLED UP THE SO CALLED ELITE QBs PLAYOFFS STATS WIN n LOSSES n TD to INT RATIO N BAKER is 3RD Behind MAHOMES N ALLEN n TD to INT in the PLAYOFFS and 2ND to MAHOMES in NEVER BEING BEAT IN THE 1ST ROUND….. THIS is for the NON KNOWLEDGEABLE FANS who just REPEAT THAT FALSE MEDIA HATE N NARRATIVE about BAKER when it comes to THE PLAYOFFS N BIG GAMES HE IS A WINNER N PLAYS HIS BEST n have Better NUMBERS than these QBs they say Above Him n They still Got Paid INCLUDING LAMAR,DAK,COUSINS,JONES,HERBERT but BAKER has earned him a 35 to 40 MILLION A YEAR DEAL n dtz A DISCOUNT…….
BAKER deal should be 4 Years 150$ Million 37.5$ Million a Year with 80$ Million Fully Guarunteed dtz fair and team friendly bcuz he could ask for Market Value at 45$Million like Cant Win a Playoff game DAK ASKING FOR…….
QB PLAYOFFS NUMBERS NFC::
GOFF 5-4 /8TDs 3 Ints with THREE—1&Done 1st round exits in wild card round
PURDY 4-2 /6TDs 1 Ints
BAKER 2-2 /10TDs 3 Ints with ZERO–1&Done NEVER Lost In 1st Round
STAFFORD 4-4 / 15TDs 6 Ints with FIVE— 1&Done Lost 5 times in RD 1
DAK 2-5 /14TDs 7Ints with FOUR 1&Done Lost 4 Times in Rd 1
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:13 pm
How many ‘Elite’ QBs are there today?
Exactly.
Yes, may be old school but depending on how one defines Elite (One, maybe 3 or 4 tops?)
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 2nd, 2024 at 10:30 pm
Don’t believe Houston is in play.
They have their 2 starting WRs.
Tape is out on CJ, he probably won’t do as well this year.
Doesn’t Houston play on turf? Big time consideration for an aging WR who wants to break Rice’s record of 14, 1k seasons.
^^mtn^^
Since ’76
March 3rd, 2024 at 12:36 am
It’s Mike’s agent who stated the words: “elite quarterback.”
He didn’t say Mike stated those words, verbatim.
Maybe he’s (the agent) suggesting that Baker is elite, and maybe he isn’t, or is just and being diplomatic about it.
It seems a compromise-interpretation could be: Mike would like to play with a quarterback who can generate a thousand yards+ worth of receptions.
March 3rd, 2024 at 5:45 am
Mike has helped QBs look better for years. Manziel, Glennon, McCown, Fitzpatrick, Winston, Mayfield … His best stats may possibly with Brady. That could be what his agent is referring to.
Evans has had the same agent for all these years and this seems like a turning point for him and us as we wait. I don’t want Mike to leave, but whatever is best for he and his family will be the outcome. Just hoping it is here.
March 3rd, 2024 at 7:06 am
Baker and Mike will be together. They will be even better.
March 3rd, 2024 at 7:43 am
Good thing most of you all with the negative comments about Baker don’t get a say in the matter. Let’s say he’s in the Top have of the league 15th out 32 team. On top of that Baker plays like a beast when he runs the ball. Has the arm to throw the deep ball in the NFL. IF this guy was on the board this year coming out of college. He would be a top draft pick. All of you nobody’s would be going I hope he falls to the Bucs Please let him fall to the bucs. There again that God you frickin idiot arm Chair nobody’s don’t get says. True Buc fans know without Mike or Baker, on this team the bucs don’t win 5 games. I for one do not want that again. Jason please get these to back in the fold. P.Seply back. I hate the negative people on the site
March 3rd, 2024 at 7:43 am
Good thing most of you all with the negative comments about Baker don’t get a say in the matter. Let’s say he’s in the Top have of the league 15th out 32 team. On top of that Baker plays like a beast when he runs the ball. Has the arm to throw the deep ball in the NFL. IF this guy was on the board this year coming out of college. He would be a top draft pick. All of you nobody’s would be going I hope he falls to the Bucs Please let him fall to the bucs. There again that God you frickin idiot arm Chair nobody’s don’t get says. True Buc fans know without Mike or Baker, on this team the bucs don’t win 5 games. I for one do not want that again. Jason please get these to back in the fold.I hate the negative people on the site.
March 3rd, 2024 at 8:39 am
Amen to that Stan! We need both Mike and Baker to remain Bucs. We all know other teams are looking at both of them too.
March 3rd, 2024 at 9:07 am
Marine buc,are you just a paid loser or what?
Baker and Evans both had career years and your upset 😡 because of?
March 4th, 2024 at 9:10 am
They will both sign
March 4th, 2024 at 3:00 pm
I’m thinking all you haters said by Mike. I guess you feel pretty stupid right now
Now that Mike has signed, pretty sure Baker’s going to follow him into Tampa Bay territory