NASHVILLE — Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans is in agreement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a two-year, $52 million contract ahead of free agency.

Evans has spent the first 10 years of his NFL Career with the Bucs, and now returns despite interest from several teams.

According a report from Dianna Russini, the Tennessee Titans were one of the teams hoping to land Evans in free agency.

Multiple teams had Mike Evans on their free agent WR board and were hoping to land him in free agency. Based on several team sources: Titans, Rams, Chiefs, Patriots, Giants, Panthers, Falcons, and Jaguars.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 4, 2024

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Titans prioritizing WR

Evans is no longer an option for the Titans in free agency. But what does their reported interest say about the upcoming offseason?

For me, it confirms expectations that acquiring a premier wide receiver will be a priority for Ran Carthon and new head coach Brian Callahan. Whether it be through free agency or the draft, the Titans need to find a dance partner for DeAndre Hopkins and another reliable weapon for Will Levis. Ideally, the Titans could find a weapon that is a long-term solution for their problem.

With Evans off the market, maybe the Titans pivot to a Hollywood Brown, Calvin Ridley, Gabe Davis, or Darnell Mooney (who the Titans have already been linked to). But even those players are not as big of a swing as Evans would have been. Maybe Tennessee goes even bigger and tries to land Tee Higgins or Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade.

Options will also be plentiful in the 2024 NFL Draft, especially with the Titans holding the seventh overall pick.

Now we know that wide receiver is a priority and the Titans are prepared to commit resources to a solution. Evans got $26 million per year with $35 million in guarantees. If Tennessee was “hoping to land him in free agency,” they’re likely willing to spend.

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