The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a new chapter of their franchise history books this season in the post-Tom Brady era. There’s obviously no replacing the GOAT, who officially retired for a second (and final?) time after the 2022 season, but the Bucs have no other choice but to try and do everything they can to do so.
Well, this prospect has taken a significant blow after reports emerged that star wide receiver Mike Evans could now be on his way out of Tampa Bay as well.
NFL Rumors: Mike Evans Sets Deadline for Contract Talks
On Friday Evans’ camp came out with a statement regarding the 30-year-old’s future with the squad. Evans has been negotiating a contract extension with the Bucs for quite some time now, but the two sides have yet to reach common ground. As it turns out, the four-time Pro-Bowler has had enough, and he’s now set a deadline for any and all negotiations:
“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. 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,” read the statement from Day 1 Sports and Entertainment (h/t Jenna Laine of ESPN).
Simply put, if the Bucs don’t give in to Evans’ demands, he will leave.
NFL Rumors: Mike Evans ‘Likely’ Playing Last Year With Buccaneers
Evans’ potential departure won’t happen anytime soon, though. He is still under contract with the Bucs through 2024, and unless he demands a trade away from Tampa Bay in the immediate future, Evans will still play for the team this coming season.
However, according to Bucs veteran beat reporter Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, it’s now looking more and more likely that this is going to be Mike Evans’ final season in a Buccaneers jersey:
“With talks about a contract extension at an impasse, the greatest offensive weapon in club history is playing what likely will be his final season in Tampa Bay,” Stroud wrote.
The good news for Bucs fans is that the team can still make sure that this doesn’t happen. As Evans’ statement said, the ball is now in the owner’s court. The front office is well aware of Evans’ contract demands, and it’s now up to them if they’re going to adhere to the same or not. However, after this recent stunning development, Evans has now made it abundantly clear that there will be dire repercussions if the Bucs decide otherwise.
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