National columnist confirms growing belief regarding Mike Evans' contract demands
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would very much like to keep Mike Evans in town. Everyone wants it, from Jason Licht to the fans. And even Evans previously talked about his desire to stay in town. But Evans now wants to get paid after staying with the Buccaneers for a decade. and at the age of […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would very much like to keep Mike Evans in town. Everyone wants it, from Jason Licht to the fans. And even Evans previously talked about his desire to stay in town.
But Evans now wants to get paid after staying with the Buccaneers for a decade. and at the age of 30, it's understandable that he's seeking out one last big pay day.
So how big will that pay day be? Recent projections have had his average annual value around $25 million per year. A to Z Sports' own Josh Queipo and Kyle DeDiminicantanio also had an annual contract value at that figure.
For those that question that number, NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha confirmed that annual average is right at what Evans' camp is looking for with a new deal.
5) Mike Evans is going to want a lot of money. The Cincinnati Bengals ended all speculation about what would happen with wide receiver Tee Higgins when they applied the franchise tag to him, so now Evans becomes the top receiver on the open market. Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht said he really wants to keep Evans, but it's not going to be an easy task. The Buccaneers would like to hold on to quarterback Baker Mayfield, and that won't be cheap. Sources close to Evans also say he's looking for something with an annual salary in the $25 million range. That might sound like a hefty price tag for a receiver who turns 31 in August, until you consider his consistency. Evans has produced 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons since joining Tampa Bay in 2014, and he generated 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. Those were better numbers than Stefon Diggs, who is turning 31 in November, totaled in 2023, and the Buffalo wideout has an annual average salary of $24 million. Anybody looking to sign Evans had better be ready to hear that comp.
Evans' price already likely went up with the news that the Bengals are placing the franchise tag on WR Tee Higgins. Higgins would have been one of the top options on the market with Evans.
That also holds true for Michael Pittman, Jr., who is set to become a free agent. However, Colts general manager Chris Ballard said at the combine that Pittman is going to be on the team's roster next year, implying they would follow Cincinnati's lead and tag their star receiver if they needed to. As such Evans could have no competition as the clear-cut top option on the wide receiver market.
The Bucs don't have the luxury of simply slapping the tag on Evans, with Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield, Jr. also having to be dealt with. They also have to address free agents Lavonte David and Chase McLaughlin, both of whom were also big to the Bucs' 2023 success. Given the price tag for the different franchise tags, Winfield, Jr. is far and away the most likely candidate to receive it at $17.1 million.
Which obviously means the Bucs are going to have to find a way to work out deals with both Mayfield and Evans, which is going to be very pricey. Spotrac recently projected Mayfield's contract at $30 million. That will be a pretty penny to lock up both their 2023 quarterback and leading receiver for multiple years if indeed they're looking at $30+ million a year for Mayfield and $25+ for Evans.
However, the Bucs have the 11th most effective cap space in the league and the most in the NFC South per OverTheCap.com. And they have Jason Licht, who always seems to find a way to navigate the cap to his advantage as he proved last year with the Bucs facing a massive cap overage after Tom Brady's retirement.
We'll know soon enough if the Bucs can keep their stars in town, as free agency negotiations begin on March 11.
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