Superstar wide receiver Mike Evans has played his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the team selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. But it sounds like the team has decided to allow him to become a free agent this offseason.
According to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not get an extension done with Mike Evans before their “soft deadline” and have decided not to use a franchise tag to keep him in Tampa Bay. As a result, it looks like he’s going to become a free agent.
“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.
If and when Evans does become a free agent, he will undoubtedly be one of the top free-agent receivers on the market as he has been one of the most consistent receivers in the league throughout his entire career as there has not been a single season where he did not eclipse 1,000 receiving yards.
