The Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up to defend their crown as the reigning champions but teams can never have too much firepower, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans could be a perfect trade target.
Every season, there are a host of players who don’t finish on the team they started with. Kansas City could take advantage of that to snag big-name potential before the trade deadline.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans Could Be Trade Fit for Chiefs
Mike Evans a Consistent Target
Evans, 30, has posted nine consecutive 1000-yard seasons and has seen his catch total rise in each of the last two seasons. And he could very well reach those numbers again this coming season, even with Tom Brady finally retiring for good this offseason. He is heading into the final year of his five-year, $82.5 million contract.
The 6-foot-5 playmaker caught 77 balls for 1,124 yards and six touchdowns. The scores were a disappointment after back-to-back seasons with at least 13 touchdowns. He did record just one reception for 31 yards in the Bucs’ 31-9 win in Super Bowl LV.
Contract extension talks between the two sides have gone cold.
#Bucs will not get Mike Evans' contract extension done before the start of training camp next Wednesday.
Both sides are still negotiating.
The goal is to get it done before the end of camp.
Deal could be similar to Chris Godwin's 3-year, $60mil extension ($20mil per year). pic.twitter.com/AQxSLZptqf
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) July 20, 2023
Former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield is set to take over at quarterback for the Bucs. He went 2-8 as a starter with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams last season.
If that trend continues, it could make sense for Tampa to move Evans instead of extending him.
Jones might not fit a youth movement in Tampa at first glance. But an argument can be made that, since defensive linemen typically age better than wide receivers, it would still be a sound investment for the Bucs. Of course, Evans doesn’t think Tampa is rebuilding given their circumstances in a weakened NFC South.
Still, if their season goes awry early, the Chiefs could benefit.
Proposed Trade: Mike Evans for Chris Jones
Jones has stayed away as he seeks a new contract following a 15.5-sack season in 2022. But the Chiefs are not looking to meet his asking price leaving the two sides at a stalemate with Jones saying he is willing to sit out through Week 8.
Head coach Andy Reid has said that he has had no communication with the one-time All-Pro.
What Will Happen to the Top NFL Holdouts, Contract Disputes?
The Chiefs surely want him back. But, if the two sides get to the middle of the season and still feel like there is no resolution together in sight, they might want to consider their options rather than making a strained relationship even more so with a franchise tag next offseason.
Chiefs WR Room Full of Unproven Options
Second-year man Skyy Moore is listed atop a depth chart full of inexperienced but talented options opposite Valdes-Scantling. Behind them are Justin Watson, Richie James, Justyn Ross, and rookie Rashee Davis.
The Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce connection is the straw that stirs the drink. Kansas City could still stand to improve their ingredients in their title defense. Last year’s squad leaned on veterans Marquez Valdes-Scantling and JuJu Smith-Schuster at wide receiver but the latter signed with the New England Patriots in free agency.
A duo of Evans and Kelce would give Mahomes a combo that rivals Kelce and Tyreek Hill, though it would look very different.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
