As the beginning of NFL free company attracts close to, the Bucs have but to re-sign any of their free brokers, however there’s nonetheless time to get a few of their key gamers underneath contract for 2024 and past. One in every of Tampa Bay’s stars has made a requirement that’s more than likely directed in the direction of the Bucs.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz spoke with Deryk Gilmore, the agent for Mike Evans, and the Bucs extensive receiver doesn’t wish to play with a rookie quarterback this season. As a substitute, he needs to play with an elite quarterback. Does that imply Baker Mayfield?
The Bucs’ beginning quarterback final 12 months can be slated free of charge company except Tampa Bay can get him underneath contract.
Simply spoke with Mike Evans’ agent, @DerykGilmore, who says: “Mike needs to play with an elite quarterback in an offense that can showcase him — and be paid like a high extensive receiver. He doesn’t wish to play with a rookie QB. Successful a Tremendous Bowl is a key precedence.”
Evans is… https://t.co/HUC7dmlIWd
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 2, 2024
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
Evans and Mayfield established an awesome relationship on and off the sphere final 12 months. Evans’ 13 touchdowns have been tied for the NFL lead final season, and he led Tampa Bay with 1,255 yards on 79 receptions (15.9 avg.), so the long run Corridor of Famer was undoubtedly showcased within the Bucs’ new offense. That sort of manufacturing ought to proceed in Liam Coen’s new scheme, which is similar to the system that Dave Canales ran in 2023.
Gilmore’s feedback might be taken in a manner that implies that the Bucs had higher not move on re-signing their beginning quarterback and choosing a QB within the 2024 NFL Draft as an alternative. The Bucs had 4 formal interviews with quarterbacks on the NFL Scouting Mix in Indianapolis.
Tampa Bay is placing a full-court press on getting Mayfield re-signed previous to free company, as he’s anticipated to have a number of suitors if he hits the open market. A kind of potential suitors might be division rival Atlanta if the Falcons don’t commerce for Chicago quarterback Justin Fields.
Mike Evans Is In Win-Now Mode
Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
After not making the playoffs for his first six years in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans has gone to the playoffs in every of the final 4 seasons.
And he needs to maintain that streak going.
Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore mentioned that profitable a Tremendous Bowl is a key precedence. Evans has one Tremendous Bowl on his resumé from the 2020 season and want to win one other championship earlier than he retires in just a few years.
Whereas the Bucs might not essentially be thought-about a Tremendous Bowl contender in 2024 proper now, they do have a better path to the playoffs than another groups enjoying within the downtrodden NFC South. And it ought to assist the Bucs’ trigger that they have been tied with the Lions heading into the fourth quarter within the NFC Divisional Spherical of the playoffs.
Tampa Bay might be thought-about a darkish horse Tremendous Bowl contender this season, however the Bucs will probably be nearer than most groups to profitable one other championship, particularly if the group can re-sign Evans, quarterback Baker Mayfield and the opposite key free brokers.
Houston Received’t Be A Suitor For Mike Evans
NFL insider Aaron Wilson, who is predicated in Houston, shared on social media on Saturday that the Texans received’t be within the working for Mike Evans in free company.
INDIANAPOLIS — A number of #NFL sources anticipate an impressive marketplace for #Buccaneers star extensive receiver Mike Evans. And the #Texans, who’ve good, younger extensive receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, should not anticipated to pursue Evans throughout free company @KPRC2 #NFLCombine2024
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 2, 2024
As a result of Evans grew up in close by Galveston and went to highschool at Texas A&M, there was some concern that Evans is likely to be tempted to play for his hometown group. However with C.J. Stroud coming into his second 12 months within the league and Houston having a pair of promising younger receivers in Tank Dell and Nico Collins, the Texans will move on pursuing Evans.
This needs to be seen as signal for the Bucs.
