Time is running out for the Buccaneers and Mike Evans to work out an extension before the latter’s self-imposed negotiating deadline. Plenty of progress remains to be made to get a deal done in that span, leaving his future in Tampa Bay beyond 2023 in question. 
The two sides have until tomorrow to reach an agreement on a new pact, with attention shifting to the new campaign after that point. One year remains on Evans’ current deal, and both team and player have expressed a desire to continue their relationship for years to come. When speaking publicly about his financial situation, though, the 30-year-old did not repeat the sentiment that he is looking to continue playing in Tampa beyond this season.
“Ownership and management are going to do what they feel is best for the team and the team in the future, and I’m going to do what’s best for me and my future,” the former first-rounder said, via ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “And right now, that’s just playing some good ball.”
Evans is reportedly seeking a deal similar to the three-year, $80.1MM contract the Rams gave Cooper Kupp after his triple crown winning season in 2021. Evans’ track record of consistent success (highlighted by his nine consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns to begin his career, an unprecedented run in NFL history in that regard) will likely not be enough to earn him such a commitment from the Buccaneers. Signficant cap constraints are present for the now Tom Brady-less outfit in 2023 and the future, so a pricey investment investment in a veteran would need to be weighed carefully against efforts to free up money for the team’s younger core players.
Tampa Bay also has a $20MM-per-year commitment at the receiver spot in the form of Chris Godwin. The 27-year-old was among the Buccaneers personnel who expressed optimism that a deal keeping Evans in the fold would pay dividends for all involved. It is increasingly unlikely that one will be worked out in the immediate future, though, something Evans in acutely aware of.
“Obviously we’ve been working with them for over a year now, trying to get something done,” he added. “Any player in my position would want to be secure… I don’t know. We got a little bit of time left, but we’ll see.”
Apparently, like RBs, teams are putting a ‘cap’ on WR focusing on age and cost. 20M is cost and 28 is age – so being 30 reckon it’s time to look into moving vans!
The numbers change slightly and the reliance is on analytics instead of gut feelings, but this isn’t a new story at all. His 9 straight 1,000+ yard seasons is already an outlier. Could he keep doing it? Maybe. Is it likely? The data says probably not. But combined with wanting a deal like Kupp’s after his own historic outlier season and now you introduce a very high level of risk that could cripple the rest of your team if it doesn’t pan out.
Evans has been hurt part of the past two seasons no?
Well, there’s also the question of what the Bucs are trying to do. Right now it feels like they’re just looking for their future team components for down the line. By the team that team is fielded, it’s doubtful that Evans will still be worth the price of this potential extension. It’ll be a few seasons, at least. Superteams cost money…
Unfortunately for Evans, this would be a contract to recognize past performance, not future production. Not a good situation to be in these days with so much analytical focus. “Back in the day”, it was more likely teams would be more forthcoming with a raise, however short-sighted that may have been, but not now.