The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have three big-name starters set to hit free agency: quarterback Baker Mayfield, safety Antoine Winfield, and wide receiver Mike Evans. While we still have roughly three weeks until the legal tampering period opens, it’s going to be difficult for Tampa Bay to keep all three players from reaching the open market.
Baker Mayfield is probably the top priority, but it sounds like both sides will come to an agreement before the start of the league year. Antoine Winfield, meanwhile, is a prime candidate for the franchise tag. However, using the tag on Winfield gives Mike Evans a clear path to unrestricted free agency.
While Evans is on the older side, he is still one of the most consistent wideouts in the NFL. During the first year of the post-Brady era, the former first-round pick recorded 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns while starting in all 17 games. Now entering his age-31 season, this will probably be the last time Mike Evans will ever earn a massive contract in free agency.
Mike Evans Likely To Hit Free Agency, Should Have Multiple Suitors
It appears as though the Buccaneers are still going to try to keep Mike Evans from reaching free agency. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports that the two sides are currently negotiating “in good faith” and that this will likely continue up through the start of the league year. However, with both sides reportedly far apart, it appears as though Evans will make it to the open market.
The #Buccaneers had a soft deadline today to get an extension done with Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans, but both sides remain far apart, sources say. Tampa Bay is set to take on $7.4M in 2024 dead money by not getting a deal done today. @BleacherReport
Talks will continue, but my… pic.twitter.com/fNJJFuRceH
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 19, 2024
It’s going to be interesting to see how teams value Mike Evans in free agency. On the one hand, the wide receiver is remarkably consistent, recording 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons since entering the NFL. On the other hand, he’s entering his age-31 season and isn’t getting any younger. Maybe the Buccaneers find a way to re-sign him, but these five teams could easily snatch him up.
Best Team Fits
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots will trade Mac Jones and are likely to invest in the position during the 2024 NFL Draft. However, if they want that player to succeed, they must improve the offensive weapons. Mike Evans would easily be the best receiver on this roster, and the Patriots have the cap space to sign him in free agency. Evans’ ability to get open deep should be a godsend to New England’s next quarterback, and his downfield ability should complement Demario Douglas in the short game.
Carolina Panthers
In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Carolina Panthers need more playmakers. Adam Thielen did the best he could last year, but everyone else left something to be desired. After sharing a division with him for 10 years, the Panthers know exactly how dangerous Mike Evans can be and shouldn’t shy away from him in free agency. Evans and Thielen aren’t the 2007 Patriots, but they still have enough in their respective tanks to support Bryce Young.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears found a great playmaker in D.J. Moore, but they could use another. While Moore does most of his work in the short and intermediate portions of the field, they could use a vertical threat for rocket-armed quarterback Caleb Williams. Mike Evans is exactly who the Bears need, and they should be able to use some of their $70 million in cap space to sign the longtime Buccaneer in free agency.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs won their latest Super Bowl with an elite defense and an offense that could get the job done when called upon. However, if the team wants to go back to being the most deadly offensive force in the league, they’ll need to get someone like Mike Evans in free agency. Rashee Rice is good, but he’s not the type of player who can make the most of Mahomes’ insane ability to reach every part of the field.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are going to have to move some money around if they want to sign Mike Evans in free agency without losing Justin Madubuike, Kevin Zeitler, Jadeveon Clowney, and some of their other key free agents. However, this fit is just too fun to ignore. Zay Flowers looks like a promising young receiver, but he lacks the downfield prowess of Evans. Combining him with Flowers and Mark Andrews along with the reigning MVP in Lamar Jackson could create the most explosive offense in football.
Main Photo: Junfu Han – USA Today Sports
