Mike Evans has played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers up to this point after the teams selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. But it sounds like his future with the team is now very much in question as he is set to become a free agent this offseason.
According to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mike Evans are “far apart” on a potential extension and Evans is “trending toward” becoming a free agent this offseason.
“The #Buccaneers had a soft deadline today to get an extension done with Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans, but both sides remain far apart, sources say. Tampa Bay is set to take on $7.4M in 2024 dead money by not getting a deal done today,” Schultz said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
The #Buccaneers had a soft deadline today to get an extension done with Pro Bowl WR Mike Evans, but both sides remain far apart, sources say. Tampa Bay is set to take on $7.4M in 2024 dead money by not getting a deal done today. @BleacherReport
Talks will continue, but my… pic.twitter.com/fNJJFuRceH
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 19, 2024
“Talks will continue, but my understanding is Evans is trending toward becoming a free agent, barring an unexpected change in discussions,” Schultz continued.
This is obviously some pretty shocking news as Evans has been a focal point of the team’s offense throughout his entire career, and the NFL world had a lot to say about it.
Not directly Evans himself (stop asking, he’s leaving TB because he wants HUGE money, we can’t afford him) but the more big names that make it to actual free agency, the better chance one of our tier of impactful WR loses the game of big money musical chair spots & signs cheap https://t.co/eyoZETnfuM
— Greg Cover 1 🏈 (@GregTompsett) February 19, 2024
If he brings down his initially reported asking price, the Chiefs have to bring Mike Evans in. He would be seamless fit and a true difference making WR1 that this team hasn't had in over 2 years. https://t.co/rMLzCOiIN5
— 🗣🎙‼️ (@LanceTHESPOKEN) February 19, 2024
Glazers aren’t going to pay, open market is going to out price them. https://t.co/JEJ8W8gOfH
— Tampa Bay Bucs (@BuccoBruceNews) February 19, 2024
#Browns should go after him for sure! https://t.co/anTGnJZzhZ
— Dawgs Digest (@DawgsDigest) February 20, 2024
Come on man, what’s happening?!? Why aren’t we signing him yet? You want him to go to free agency and be on a different team next season ??? 😞💔 #GoBucs https://t.co/hyCZTCtv2V
— CHAMPA BAY (@bucsnationx210) February 19, 2024
The Chiefs should be interested in Evans but I think the price is going to be way too high. https://t.co/orybrEF8mf
— Robert 💔💔 (@RobertRaymond46) February 19, 2024
If and when Evans does become a free agent, he will certainly be one of the top receivers on the market.
