It’s been about a week since news about Mike Evans’ contract situation dropped. We finally have an update on where things are on that front, but it’s not news that Bucs fans are going to be particularly happy to hear. NFL Insider Dianna Russini provides shares the news on X (formerly a.k.a. Twitter):
“WR Mike Evans —who wants to finish his career a Tampa Bay Buc—gave the team a deadline of 9/9/23 to offer a contract extension. While the team values Evans, there are no plans for an extension at this time, per league sources,” Russini writes.
Evans is entering the final year of his current deal with the Bucs. Evans has expressed his desires to play for the Bucs for the rest of his career. However, despite that, and his agent’s best efforts to secure such a deal for well over a year now, it’s looking more like a new era is on the horizon for the Bucs come 2024.
Evans, over the course of his career, has recorded the following stats:
683 receptions
10,425 yards
81 touchdowns
4x Pro Bowler
Super Bowl Champion (2020 season)
In 2022, Evans caught 77 passes for 1,124 yards and six touchdowns. That was all in spite of the struggles he’s had with getting on the same page as Tom Brady in Brady’s final season in the NFL. That speaks to Evans being a model of consistency, as he has played in at least 13 games in each of his nine seasons in the NFL, catching for at least 1,000 receiving yards in each.
Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, said that “Mike will be on the field playing, focused on football. He is very motivated.”
He aims to put on yet another strong season, this time with veteran QB Baker Mayfield commanding the huddle. Evans and the Bucs take on the NFC North Champions – the Minnesota Vikings – this Sunday. If he balls out again this year, the Glazers are not going to be in the good graces of Bucs fans.
WR Mike Evans —who wants to finish his career a Tampa Bay Buc—gave the team a deadline of 9/9/23 to offer a contract extension. While the team values Evans, there are no plans for an extension at this time, per league sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 8, 2023
What's next for Mike Evans? I'm told by his agent…he is focusing on football and "very motivated."
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 8, 2023
