Assessing what a Mike Evans contract would look like for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2024 offseason
It's no secret that even after winning the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs still need to go after a few positions in the offseason, and the most important position may be a wide receiver. Luckily, there is free agency and the NFL draft coming up for the Chiefs to try and stack their roster […]
It's no secret that even after winning the Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs still need to go after a few positions in the offseason, and the most important position may be a wide receiver. Luckily, there is free agency and the NFL draft coming up for the Chiefs to try and stack their roster as they prep for a potential three-peat.
When it comes to finding a receiver, last season, the Chiefs took the route of the draft, where they got Rashee Rice, who may be one of the best rookie wide receivers in Chiefs history. However, what's to say they won't try free agency this time, considering the class of wide receivers is pretty stacked, and they have other needs they would like to grab in the draft.
One of the biggest names in this free agency class from a wide receiver perspective is Mike Evans, the greatest wide receiver in Tampa Bay Buccaneers history. Even though he is able to claim that title, there is a chance they won't bring him back. The Chiefs have the opportunity to go and snag him.
A to Z Sports does their Top 105 Free Agency Rankings and Projections every year. This year, Mike Evans comes in as the fifth-best free agent. Here is the writeup from the story on Evans and his offseason:
Evans ranked top-10 in receiving yards and yards per route run and top-15 in yards per catch and average depth of target while leading the league in receiving touchdowns. Evans is able to act as an 'X' receiver volume target while simultaneously still operating as one of the best deep targets in the NFL. An underrated route runner, he was able to display those skills better in 2023, operating in offensive coordinator Dave Canales' system while setting a career-high in yards after the catch. At 31 years old, Evans won't be able to secure a deal of more than three years, but he will be able to maximize his per-year compensation, moving into a tie with A.J. Brown for the fourth-highest APY among wide receivers.
According to A to Z Sports, Evans is projected to have a contract of $75 million, $25 million APY, and $55 million guaranteed. While $75 million is a lot for a guy who turns 31 in August, the Chiefs would be getting the best wide receiver in free agency, and he's a guy who hasn't shown any signs of slowing down anytime soon.
The Chiefs have $15 million in available cap space at the moment, according to Spotrac. However, that will change both ways. They will likely lose some guys and will have to cut some players to free up the space. Then again, they will lose cap space because of other signings they have to make, such as potentially Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed.
I personally do not think they sign Evans, as the Sneed and Jones contracts are much more important. However, that doesn't mean they won't, and it's always good to see it in writing when it comes to what a deal could look like. Evans is legit and would make the Chiefs that much more dynamic on offense.
Chiefs can still add to their wide receiver room without getting star player
The Chiefs still have time.
