3 Million Reasons Mike Evans Keeps The Streak Alive
January 4th, 2025
Yes, the NFL is a business.
That’s why the Bucs sent three consecutive short passes to lunatic Antonio Brown and asked Ronald Jones to block for him as the 2020 season closed in a game the Bucs won 44-27.
Brown had a cash incentive on the line.
Jones? Pffft, all he had was 978 yards rushing and a hunger for 1,000.
Brown earned the Team Glazer loot and then paid legal bills, Joe presumes, and bought himself a phony vaccine card.
(To further insult Jones, Tom Brady took a knee on the final three snaps following the three throws to Brown.)
Money matters in the NFL and some coaches will help players get their incentive bonuses.
That brings Joe to tomorrow when Mike Evans has $3 million on the line, per USA Today and NBC.
Evans has 65 catches, 915 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. That leaves him just five catches and 85 yards short of hitting a $3 million bonus that triggers when he totals 70 catches, 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Oh, and those 85 yards would tie him with Jerry Rice for the All-Time record of 11 consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more yards receiving.
Would head coach Todd Bowles have the stones to sit Evans before he got the record of the bonus money?
Suppose the Bucs jump out to a 24-0 halftime lead and Evans has 3 catches for 38 yards. Would Bowles dares to insist on his star resting for the playoffs?
The Joe typing here doesn’t think Bowles would dare do it. However, it’s at least worth noting that Saquon Barkley is sitting out tomorrow with the NFL’s all-time, single-season rushing record on the line, and Ravens 1,000-yard receiver Zay Flowers went down with a knee injury this afternoon.
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January 4th, 2025 at 9:19 pm
He deserves the record and the bonus. He has been the ultimate teammate and one of the few great WRs without being a diva. I was the first to say he would make the HOF when was in his 3rd season.
Have a great game Mike!!!
January 4th, 2025 at 9:39 pm
I would wager that Evans would forfeit the $3 M if he was guaranteed hitting the 1,000 yard mark. Sure, the money’s great, but I believe the record is more important to Mike.
January 4th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
If we play on monday for a third straight playoff game i will puke
January 4th, 2025 at 9:48 pm
Just a guess, but I expect that he will probably sit out the second half. Hopefully, he gets his numbers before then.
January 4th, 2025 at 9:50 pm
If they don’t allow Mike to get the record, there will be an uproar in the streets of Tampa. It’s one thing to deny Ronald Jones. It’s another to deny Mike Evans.
January 4th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Todd Bowles >>> 3 million
January 4th, 2025 at 10:31 pm
The Joe typing here doesn’t think Bowles would dare do it.
^^^^
He may not dare do it but he might be told to do it. Let’s hope ME13 gets the 1K and my cynicism is unwarranted.
January 4th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
It’s only gonna happen while the game is close.
Need to him a go route or two early to make it more likely. Hated that they didn’t get him another 10-15 yards last week.
January 4th, 2025 at 10:59 pm
I always thought that was wrong how they did Ronald Jones like that. AND how they did with Rachaad White last year.
January 4th, 2025 at 11:18 pm
As a fan, 1st win the game. 2nd the record. If they win, the record should take care of itself, Mike is a big part of this team winning usually.
January 4th, 2025 at 11:22 pm
Was Jones unliked among the Bucs? Would explain soooo much
January 4th, 2025 at 11:29 pm
My money aside because I am betting on Evans to have 80+ and a TD, they better do everything to get him over. We all want him to have that record! Longest streak in NFL history, Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend and HoFer, Mike Evans!
I have full confidence that Coen and Baker will be reaching into their bag to get him some early chunk gains. If he doesn’t get it, it will make last week look terrible.
January 4th, 2025 at 11:40 pm
I fear IF Tampa wins we will play Monday Night. Seems like ESPN gets the 4/5 match-up in NFC every year and that’s where Tampa has been past 2 years. If Rams win tomorrow we will be in the same boat and we know how Tampa plays on prime time. Bowles said it himself he hates late games so I’m sure if Tampa takes care of business tomorrow that’s where we will be. Hope I’m wrong cause HATE MNF playoff games. Less rest if ya win on top of Bowles/Baker aren’t good in prime time games.
January 4th, 2025 at 11:57 pm
Depends who the opponent is. If it’s an NFC East team you can pretty much bank on it. If it’s the Packers it’s a decent bet it will be Monday night.
Monday night games bring a lot of buzz.
Remember: Network suits don’t think like you and Joe. They are only concerned with eyeballs. Games could be 50-point blowouts but if they get eyeballs, they will consider the game a great success.
January 5th, 2025 at 12:00 am
Who cares what bowles hates- yall Baker WON last years 1st gane n dang near won 2nd vs cruddy lowdown cheatun lions
He is 2 for 2 in wuns on 1st game playoff games and 2 f I r 2 in soooo clise 2 win in nxt one
THIS ISCYEAR HE WiNS WINS WINS AND SO BUCS WIN BUCS WIN BUCS WIN!!!!
January 5th, 2025 at 12:02 am
P.s. Baker wont let Mike Not get his records n cash! Even selfish Tom did it against coaches wishes 4 Gronk, remember yall and Baker CARES a lot more!!!!!!!
January 5th, 2025 at 4:29 am
Good question. What will Todd do. Baker has been trying hard to get Mike his record and I think there would be some friction if Mike is pulled. On the other hand, if we are winning by a large amount of points in the 4 quarter, Mike would probably forego the record knowing the possibility of injury. Thinking Mike will get the ball early and hopefully before the 4th quarter has his 1000 yards.
January 5th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Monday night play-off will go to the NFC #4 and #5 seat. The Rams have stated that they plan on resting their starters. If the Rams lose to the Hawks and we beat the Saints then we will be the #3 seat and will not have to play on Monday night. We then would face either the Packers or have a rematch with Washington.
January 5th, 2025 at 8:08 am
I’m going to take some heat for this.
But, I don’t care.
Mike hitting the record is more important to me than us going to the playoffs.
When I look at how consistent Mike has been over the last (and mostly “lost”) decade… When I look at how many different QBs he’s maintained that consistency with… When I look at all the other diva WRs in the league… When I look at how humble Mike is ON and OFF the field…
It just makes me want to see him hit the 1K yards mark and worry about the playoffs later. And if he gets the 5 catches as well… even better! It’s well-deserved money as far as I’m concerned.
Yes, I want us to go to the playoffs and I’d love to see us make it to the SB.
I think we can do it if the entire team stays focused and comes out hungry for victory in each game.
But given how up and down we’ve been this year, I think it’s a long shot.
On the other hand, Mike is and always has been, a team player. He’s been humble about it. And 1K yards and 5 catches are totally doable today.
Go Mike! GO BUCS!!
January 5th, 2025 at 8:17 am
Mike gets 85 yards today we win, no questions about it.
January 5th, 2025 at 8:17 am
i think we are under estimating Mike’s desire to get that $3m bonus…Let’s get him in the slot and design some chunk plays for him off of play-action.
Go Bucs!!
January 5th, 2025 at 8:42 am
He will hit his numbers today and ensure he is a first ballot hall of famer. Come2win I felt the same way in his 3rd year. Remember how he was referred to by the Joes as KY during that time. SMH!
January 5th, 2025 at 9:05 am
Bucs have already learned the lesson twice playing with fire with their Wrs… if we get a comfortable lead we pull him and many others
January 5th, 2025 at 9:06 am
If we are to suppose the Bucs are up 24-0 at halftime it would be a good bet Mike will already have the record.
January 5th, 2025 at 9:11 am
ME13 is already a candidate for Canton. I just want the win over a PITA rival today, so If he gets the record fine, if not, shrugging my shoulders. As far as playoffs go, the Bucs are still crippled on D by injuries. Talk about bad luck, they’ve had plenty! Go Bucs and 10-7!!
January 5th, 2025 at 9:58 am
Just feed him early and get it over with. The Bucs should easily beat the Saints. If they can’t or squeak out a win, its not going to matter much in the playoffs.
January 5th, 2025 at 10:02 am
Baker has some serious incentive money on the line today also!
January 5th, 2025 at 10:03 am
New Orleans has a lot going for it playing the Bucs today.
The Bucs are playing at home against the saints. The saints kinda own Tampa in Tampa. That’s a big Bucs Nono.
The saints are playing a no name quarterback. That’s a huge saints advantage, against a 2nd string lawnchair group as they may get lost on the field repeatedly today in the Tampa 2 lawn chair zone package they are making famous.you know the one, where everyone wonders what happened to everyone?
Also the saints could care less as they have little on the line. Tampa must play as their playoffs are on the line. Oh, by the way, they are.
A few blown zone coverages because coach will be ultra conservative and we are crying wait till next year.
I’m calling 23-21 saints on a last second Hail Mary, and everyone wondering what the heck happened, again. Like Deja vu all over again.
January 5th, 2025 at 10:13 am
It’s 17 games so it doesn’t matter to me. Baker will make sure he gets it. All I care about is another NFCS Title and get in to the playoffs. How many years was this team always talking Draft by Halloween??
January 5th, 2025 at 10:14 am
Saquon Barkley should be looking for a new team.
As would Mike Evans if the Bucs did him wrong like that.
January 5th, 2025 at 10:17 am
A lot of fear mongering in these comments.
Everyone is talking about the Saints and their determination.
No on is mentioning the Bucs drive and determination.
Blowout. Bucs win.
January 5th, 2025 at 10:40 am
@Unbelivable::Well he would have had another 30-40 last week if he knew how to turn his freaking head around when the ball is coming and he needs to be hitting the smelling salts during the playoffs because we can’t afford any bone-headed blunders especially from a vet.
January 5th, 2025 at 11:42 am
I want Mike to get the record and keep the streak alive. However, we need a healthy Mike Evans for the playoffs if we win today. My guess is they feed him early, hopefully Baker doesn’t through picks trying to force it to him.