What Joe Is Hearing About Mike Evans
February 28th, 2024
Contract talks update.
So on the first day of the combine that the Fourth Estate was allowed into the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, Joe decided to do some gumshoe journalism.
That is, Joe used his feet yesterday to talk to folks he trusts about what is going on with Mike Evans. To be clear, none of the two trusted sources, very respected journalists, have any affiliation with the Bucs.
First, Joe heard what the greatest wide receiver in Bucs history is seeking in terms of dollars (and maybe some cents). And this may be why Evans hasn’t re-signed with the Bucs yet.
Joe heard Evans is looking for an annual figure north of $25 million, but not too far north. The max on the range Joe heard Evans desired would make him the second-highest-paid receiver in the NFL, tied with Davante Adams.
Also, Joe thought surely the Houston Texans were to be a player for Evans if he hits the open market two weeks from today when the free agency dinner bell rings. Joe was told emphatically by a source with knowledge of the situation that Houston will not make a run at Evans. They are good with their current receiving corps, at least good enough to pass on a bidding war for Evans.
So there you have it. Now Joe knows Evans’ demand — not unfair — and at least one team that will not make a play for him.
Todd Bowles Sits Down With The Sage And Joe At The NFL Scouting Combine
February 28th, 2024 at 3:03 am
As long as Baker is slinging it to him, all good
February 28th, 2024 at 3:12 am
We have a huge LB issue to focus on….so Im wanting a new C, move Hainsey to LG, but we also need a Safety/CB hybrid who can also return punts….Cooper Dejean, yall know I see something there….hmm, yeah theres FA, but we have to afford guys. And we need a true run up the gut RB…
Cooper Dejean
Jeremiah Trotter Jr.
Audric Estime (probably have to trade up)
Thats where im at unless something changes my mind….
February 28th, 2024 at 3:29 am
Just pay the man. He’s earned it and it will not hurt us at all I the long run. Very interesting to hear about Houston, of course it’s BS season.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:09 am
Thank you for the Houston info. Good to know. Evans needs to be paid. And we need Baker too.
Unfortunately, there are many hungry teams looking at Evans and Baker.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:24 am
Like your picks Max, but who’s blocking? Need a C and LG. Hainsey is a great backup or average starter at best. Need to get one in FA and one in the draft. Build the trenches.
1st – Best available DE/OLB (trade back for extra 3rd)
2nd – C (Von Pran UGA or Frazier WV)
3rd – S (Top 5 safeties gone after this rd)
3rd – RB (Run on RBs here – Need power back like Estime)
4th – TE (Need #1 TE – Bell from FSu could be that guy)
6th – ILB (pushing this down if LVD returns but I love Trotter 2nd rd)
Have to get a Shaq replacement with our first pick — unless there is a stud OL they feel they must have like JPJ.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:26 am
Just don’t want to see Evans anywhere but Tampa. Even worse — KC, NFC South or elsewhere in the NFC.
February 28th, 2024 at 4:42 am
In agreement with Bucs Guy and Max. And I don’t want to see Evans go to KC and other NFC teams either. I wasn’t worried this morning, and now I am worried again that we might really lose him. That will be a sad day if we do.
February 28th, 2024 at 6:00 am
What does north but not too north mean, $28 mil $30 mil. I think $28 to $30 is fair for Evans. People say oh Evans drops a lot of balls. To me it’s the production. 10 years with a 1,000 yards or more No receiver in NFL history has reached that goal from the start of their career. Not only that but, you have to stay pretty healthy over the years to accomplish this also. I mean just like RBs, receivers get hit a lot
February 28th, 2024 at 6:01 am
If the Bucs can get close to Evans ballpark..he stays. But look for the Texans and Panthers to make offers MIke might not be able to refuse. Remember, this is probably his last big contract. And who can blame the man for taking the money and running. I surely will not.
February 28th, 2024 at 6:03 am
Houston has a second year QB. It would be better to pair him with young receivers he can grow with. As good as Evans still is, teams look for younger players, not guys seeking to cash in on their last contract. Vegas paid big bucks to Adams, and it didn’t work out. Evans might not have the demand he thinks.
February 28th, 2024 at 6:15 am
Dumb fans say, “Pay the man! Whatever it takes ” Then don’t understand why we can’t sign any other players when we don’t have cap room.
February 28th, 2024 at 6:27 am
Joe I am not doubting in your abilities to get to (Sources) especially after your experience with Baker’s minion at the Senior Bowl. But I always find these nameless journalist source ones a bit amusing. Mainly because I doubt they were privy to the meetings and exactly what terms were discussed.
Go Bucs!
February 28th, 2024 at 6:30 am
After all the Fourth Estate just does not have much in the way of trust these days.
Go Bucs!
February 28th, 2024 at 6:44 am
Let him chase a ring in kc or money elsewhere. Best of luck
February 28th, 2024 at 7:03 am
Let em walk. Stroud already looks good throwing to rookies. Receivers don,t make QB,s look good. JFF scrambled to buy time to find ME after the DB,s got tired. Sucka lost the Lions playoff game letting a ball go through BOTH hands. Baker found rookies open. He don,t need old Mikey. Baker taught the youngsters to stay humble and keep working hard during the big head induced slump.
February 28th, 2024 at 7:40 am
I believe we can kick the can down the road a bit for ME13
February 28th, 2024 at 8:11 am
Mike can make a QB look better. He is the “exception to the rule”.
Go Bucs!!!
February 28th, 2024 at 8:23 am
I don’t believe anything being said this time of year.
All the GMs are putting out major smoke screens over the next few weeks…
There will be several teams bidding on Mike Evans.
February 28th, 2024 at 8:42 am
Evans is very entertaining, but he’s not the second best receiver in the league to deserve the second highest salary.
Realistically, he’s not even top 10. Let him walk, sorry to say.
February 28th, 2024 at 9:40 am
DOVANTE ADAMS!!!! …. Should have known
Does anyone know the correlations between Adams and Evans?
Both drafted in 2014
Evans leads Adams by 1K Receiving
Adam leas Evans by 1 TD Receiving
Mike is crushing everyone in his draft class (OBJ, Watkins, Cooks) EXCEPT Adams. They are neck and neck. Athletes are competitive. They keep tabs. Evans wants a bigger contract than Adams just to win.
February 28th, 2024 at 9:43 am
Jefferson @ MN will be getting a new deal close to 30 million per season and will become the highest paid WR.
Would not doubt for a minute that Canales gets the money/ big money to add another 1000 yard WR to go with the one he already has. Panthers have a running game that was ranked @ 20 w/ close to a 1000 yard rusher and with Evans could turn the Panthers around quickly. Might not get the guy he prefers but he’s going to get somebody. Perhaps Higgins or Pitman if not Evans.
If Bucs don’t find a way to move up from averaging 20 points a game this season they will be left behind.
February 28th, 2024 at 9:45 am
With ME13 abilities it would be criminal for any team not to make a run at him. Especially how far the Texans went. ME13 would deff help take them to the next level. JOE the Texans are blowing smoke I’m not a betting man but if I were I’d bet they do make a run at him.
February 28th, 2024 at 10:27 am
Shocking that the people claiming Evans wanted 35M a year were lying
February 28th, 2024 at 10:31 am
Great work as always, Joe.
February 28th, 2024 at 10:34 am
Tough spot for Bucs.
Great player, guy, Buc, playing awesome.
By the averages, you pass on paying a receiver his age this kinda money.
Mike ain’t a statistic though.. he’s making his own history.
Go Bucs!!!
February 28th, 2024 at 10:46 am
They are in the ballpark and will get a deal done. Mike does want $25 million but I think the team is going to convince him that he also wants a 4 or 5 year deal to offset the cap hit. This team will remain intact, and I think they are going to improve it with the draft. Looking for insight on JPJ and Barton at center, as well as insights on Chop, and that Robinson guy from GA. Stock up the trenches as those are the positions you get your team toughness and physical play from. This team has a bunch of young talent and with playoff experience.
February 28th, 2024 at 10:59 am
Father time is undefeated. Better to let him go too early than too late. To pay a wr that much at his age is a poison pill. If you’re gonna pay that much give it to Pittman if he ends up on the market.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:19 am
Sorry but no affiliation with the bucs but they know what Mike is asking? They are just journalists that don’t even cite inside sources about Houston.
Why would Houston who made it to the playoffs in the rookie season of their phenom QB have no interest in a veteran WR that could propel them forward and be a role model and teacher to their younger receivers?
Makes zero sense. Now maybe price is an issue ( but only someone inside the Houston organization would know how much) but they are good with the recievers they have ? Highly unikely.
February 28th, 2024 at 11:29 am
Brandon Says:
February 28th, 2024 at 6:15 am
Dumb fans say, “Pay the man! Whatever it takes ” Then don’t understand why we can’t sign any other players when we don’t have cap room.
_______________
I’d say they are more emotional about it than dumb.
They’re definitely not realistic to the big picture.
February 28th, 2024 at 12:56 pm
The other Robinson is from Missouri. Based on their 1st 2 interviews it looks like they are looking at a later round edge player. Neither JPJ or Barton have trie 1st round grades. Rakestraw and Brian Thomas JR are the only 2 true 1st round grades I see still possibly being available.
Regardless of if Mike returns, I think Thomas at 26 would be stealing.
Darius Robinson would help MOST because it would be plug and play on the interior. Chop might need some development.
Rakestraw would be my pick of they do indeed trade Davis. Assuming Mike is back of course AND he is still available.
Otherwise I agree with trading back, because Im sick of late round flyers simply on UPSIDE alone. Blake Corum is my favorite RB. Dallin Holker at TE.
It seems like Licht would be ok trying Goedeke at LG again, and it might actually work out with Wirfs being over there now. They are great friends and would work well together. This leaves an Amarius Mims pick interesting. Or Tyler Guyton.
February 28th, 2024 at 1:01 pm
Im assuming Licht goes back to the well with C. Might even trade for a good one again. It should be priority 1A in FA. An edge rusher like Uche or Armstrong have so much upside it’s ridiculous. Neither have had a chance to start, similar to acquiring Shaq. At ILB I resign Shaq and look HARD at pairing him with another veteran like Wagner. Those 2 together would be fun. There are so many young studs at C and S I feel they will develop.
February 28th, 2024 at 1:44 pm
Houston never made sense for Evans, coaches lie, teams lie, players lie, media lies, but the film never lies
Looking at Houston’s scheme, and film Evans didn’t fit what they were doing.
February 28th, 2024 at 1:48 pm
North of 25 million is too much for an aging WR who will be turning 31 very soon. He has limited upside and that doesn’t factor in injury. If he thinks he can get more money elsewhere, then good luck and enjoy your last contract. We need to keep Baker, we need to resign Winfield and we need to fortify both the O line and the D line. That’s where we need to spend the money. Go Bucs. Cheers.
February 28th, 2024 at 2:15 pm
I bet that the Chefs would take a swing for Evans…
February 28th, 2024 at 2:27 pm
Give Baker and Mike matching 3-year-$75m contracts. They are a package deal and can match money and time. That will give us enough to extend AWJ and Wirfs. Draft the remaining holes in the roster
February 28th, 2024 at 5:13 pm
Godwin is making $20m/year.
Christian Kirk is making $20m/year.
If you don’t think Evans is worth more than $25m/year, you’re dumb.
February 28th, 2024 at 5:29 pm
@Brandon
Almost 60 million and we have no cap space. lol
February 29th, 2024 at 12:14 am
I don’t mind paying Mike $75 mill over 3 years
But we have to trade Godwin for a WR2.
We cannot have $50 million tied up in 2 WR’s
It isn’t workable without have another position group as total garbage.
February 29th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
Too Much!
Anything over 18mil, they should let him walk. Too many other holes to fill and a solid WR is possible to get in the draft. With Godwin, a draft pick from this loaded class and the other WR’s already on the roster they can do without him.
Beef up the O-line, add another RB and run more smash mouth.