The Mike Evans situation is not one that most Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans want to think about less than 24 hour before the start of their 2023 season.

Evans has been a Buccaneer for his entire career and has kept some terrible teams together during some difficult times. The prospect of his departure is hard to stomach.

With the extension deadline come and gone, both parties have finally realized what has been inevitable for a while now; Mike Evans is going to become a free agent.

This is a difficult realization for the fanbase, but it isn't totally unprecedented. 

Contrary to popular belief, this doesn't mean that Evans won't stay with the Bucs. It just means that this season is going to play a massive role in determining whether or not the Bucs will be in a position to keep one of their most important players over the past decade.

The money situation in Tampa is tight. With mountains of dead cap space due to a present-focused approach for the past few years, the Bucs had to pay up at some point, and it is going to take some wheeling and dealing from the front office to keep a competitive team on the field for the next few years.

There are a lot of variables that will go into this next year.

Key Bucs players not named Mike Evans are inching closer to new contracts of their own. Antoine Winfield is a must-sign player. Tristan Wirfs makes some sense as a target for sooner rather than later. Devin White might also force Tampa's hand. What will happen with Baker Mayfield? What if Evans slows down?

Unfortunately for the Bucs, this has now become a waiting game where Mike Evans has a lot of control. A great season could make him an impossible free agent even if the Bucs prioritize him.

One way or another, the Bucs are in a tough spot. Evans playing well likely pushes him out of Tampa forever. Evans playing poorly could put the Bucs in a position where they roll the dice on keeping him but still risk overpaying.

Either way, there will be a lot of eyes on Mike Evans this season. The rumors are sure to be totally rational.

Buccaneers have impossible decision to make with WR Mike Evans

It won’t be easy for the Buccaneers.