The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offseason could have looked a lot different than the roster appears right now as wide receiver Mike Evans was an impending free agent and the two sides could not agree to a contract extension prior to the 2023 season. He would eventually sign a two-year, $41 million extension in the offseason but almost was catching balls somewhere else.
While appearing on the NFL Network, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans discussed how he almost left the team and had two different teams he was considering joining.
“I mean, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking Houston, Kansas City. I love Pat Mahomes’ game. I’m thinking those two teams. And I’m obviously thinking the Bucs.”
The Houston Texans were looking for an impact wide receiver as they eventually traded for Stefon Diggs while the Kansas City Chiefs were able to continue adding talent with Hollywood Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy. However, Evans ultimately decided to return to the Tampa Bay Bucs thanks to his wife.
“It was really her decision, is the reason why I decided to stay. She loves this place, and I obviously love this place, but she gave me the go-ahead like ‘we should stay here.’ I’m not saying I would have chose somewhere else, but I was gonna hit free agency, and then, we were at dinner; she said, ‘I think we should stay in Tampa.'” h/t Sporting News
Evans still has been one of the best wide receivers in the entire sport so it will be interesting to see how he does in the 2024 season.
What will Mike Evans do this season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Mike Evans has been a superstar receiver since being selected with the seventh-overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. Last season, he finished with 79 receptions on 136 targets for 1,255 yards (15.9 yards per catch) with 13 receiving touchdowns. He continues to be an amazing wide receiver as he was tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns and ninth in receiving yards.
With Baker Mayfield back at the quarterback spot for the Bucs as well, Evans is not trying to create chemistry with a new quarterback. The most consistent wide receiver should get 1,000 yards and 10+ touchdowns for another season and continue to be a top-10 wide receiver, even in his age-31 season.
About the Author
Vincent Pensabene graduated from Saint Leo University in 2019 with a B.A. in Sport Business and has focused on the media side of sports. He writes for multiple publications and is interested in the reasoning of why things happen. Feel free to follow him on social media @TalkVinTalk and discuss all things sports.
