TAMPA, Fla. — Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and team captain Mike Evans has set a Week 1 deadline to receive a new contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with his representation indicating that Evans will look to play elsewhere in 2024 if no deal is reached. Evans’ representation, Day 1 Sports and Entertainment, said in a release Friday that the wide receiver “wants the next phase of his career to be with an organization who wants him and wants him to help win a Super Bowl.”
“I want to be in camp and practice to help Baker [Mayfield] get ready so we can win this year,” Evans said in a statement. “I don’t want to be a hold out and hurt our team.”
The Contract Situation
Evans is entering the final season of a five-year, $82.5 million extension he signed in March 2018. He is set to make a base salary of $13 million and received a $1.5 million roster bonus in March. His current deal includes three void years for 2024 to 2026. Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, said the Buccaneers don’t want to pay two receivers over $20 million per year. Fellow Pro Bowl wide receiver Chris Godwin is entering the second season of a three-year, $60 million deal with $40 million guaranteed.
Day 1 said in its release that Evans has not received a new offer to stay in Tampa Bay. “We have been working on extending Mike’s career with the Bucs for over a year, and we want the fans to know this is not a tactic and the ball is in the owner’s court,” the agency said. “That said, we are giving the Bucs until the start of the regular season to make him a Buc for Life, and if that cannot happen, 100 percent of Mike’s focus will be on football and his future and where he can continue to make an impact.”
Evans’ Contribution and Ongoing Negotiations
Evans had expressed his desire to stay in Tampa Bay last month, a sentiment also highlighted in Day 1’s release. “It’s no secret that I want to be a Buc for life,” he said. “It’s rare for players to stay, especially this day and age, to stay on a team for as long as I have. I want to just finish here.” But Evans wants a deal that reflects his ability and contributions. He has posted nine straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Buccaneers, making him the first player in NFL history to achieve this feat at the start of his career. Evans is also third in NFL history for most 1,000-yard seasons, behind Jerry Rice (14) and Randy Moss (10). He holds several Buccaneers franchise receiving records, including most career touchdowns (81), career receptions (683), and career receiving yards (10,425).
FAQs
Q: When is Mike Evans’ deadline to receive a new contract?
A: Mike Evans has set a Week 1 deadline to receive a new contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Q: What will happen if no new contract is reached?
A: If no deal is reached, Evans will look to play elsewhere in 2024.
Q: Why does Mike Evans want a new contract?
A: Evans wants a deal that reflects his ability and contributions to the team.
Conclusion
The contract situation between Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has reached a critical point, with Evans setting a Week 1 deadline for a new deal. His representation has made it clear that if no agreement is reached, Evans will explore other options for the next phase of his career. As one of the most accomplished wide receivers in Buccaneers history, Evans seeks a contract that aligns with his performance and value to the team. It remains to be seen how the negotiations will unfold, but it is evident that both sides are aware of the stakes involved. The clock is ticking, and all eyes are on the Buccaneers to make a decision that could shape the future of their star receiver and the team’s Super Bowl aspirations.
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