Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has spent the entirety of his ten-year NFL career in Tampa. But that may change after reports emerged that could significantly impact his future.
Evans has been the model of consistency throughout his career, recording at least 1,000 receiving yards in every season he has played in the NFL.
He has been an extremely important member of the team from the very moment he was drafted by the Buccaneers. However, this may be changing very soon.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Evans plans to weigh his options in free agency this offseason for the first time in his career.
WR Mike Evans plans to hit free agency for the first time in his career, per sources. Tampa and Evans are in discussions but he wants to explore his options. This doesn’t mean Evans' time as a Buc is over, but he plans on hearing from all teams before making a decision.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 2, 2024
As Russini stated above, this doesn’t mean that Evans will definitely be headed to another team this offseason. But it does mean that he will be receiving offers from other teams for the first time as a professional.
Naturally, many NFL fans took notice of this report and are now seemingly excited for their respective favorite teams to have a chance at bringing in Evans this offseason.
Wrote today for @ArrowheadPride that if Evans actually hits the market, I’d expect the Chiefs to be among his top bidders. https://t.co/lXLCuifpBr
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) March 2, 2024
I would expect the #Jets to get involved. https://t.co/XCFYvsJt6x
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) March 2, 2024
I would expect the #Jets to give the biggest offer.
Not just a good one – a massive one https://t.co/vH8i2n0Wxi
— Nick Faria (@Nick_Faria1720) March 2, 2024
Idk if this is only easy for me to say as someone on the outside, but whenever these exact situations happen, I always think “if I were X (Mike Evans in this EX) I would 100% take less to sign with Mahomes (or Allen)” https://t.co/KwyzccadyM
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) March 2, 2024
He’s a Chief ain’t he https://t.co/rXMXtHqhGE
— RAMEY (@HoodieRamey) March 2, 2024
If Evans does want to leave Tampa Bay for perhaps a team closer to the championship picture, he may very well have a number of interested suitors that fit that bill.
Could the Buffalo Bills clear up cap space to pair Josh Allen with another big-name receiver? Could the Kansas City Chiefs bring in Evans to replace Marquez Valdes-Scantling who was just released? Could the New York Jets entice a player like Evans to come in and catch passes from a returning Aaron Rodgers?
All three of these seem like fits that could make a ton of sense. But Evans could also very well just want to get as much money from the Buccaneers as possible.
Only time will tell. But at the very least this is a very intriguing storyline heading into NFL Free Agency.
