Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans is among the most notable offensive playmakers who will garner plenty of attention once the 2024 free agency gets in full swing. He’s been one of the most effective offensive weapons regardless of who’s throwing him the football.
His regular-season numbers over the past couple of years are nothing short of incredible, and fans will be curious to know why Evans has been very effective as WR1 last season.
The biggest reason behind his success will not only make Bucs fans happy, but it will also make their rivals jump in excitement for their team’s performance in the upcoming 2024 campaign.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator credited with Mike Evans’ incredible season
It’s clear to everyone that Evans is a talented WR with the physical tools and skills to make tough catches against the best NFL secondaries.
However, Matt Harmon credited the offensive scheme run by former offensive coordinator Dave Canales as a major factor in his getting high receiving numbers:
Mike Evans may just have played his best football in 2023. Set multiple career-highs in #ReceptionPerception all while being wisely asked to run a more diverse route tree. pic.twitter.com/lDLNMMfXJi
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 2, 2024
Canales has only been the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, but he cut his teeth in the pros with the Seattle Seahawks, where he first worked as Offensive Quality Control in 2010.
Under his offensive planning, Evans ran fewer go routes in 2023 and added more slant routes to maximize his efficiency. Canales understood what made Texas A&M product work and maximized his efficiency.
His effectiveness was evident in how he finished his 2023 campaign: his 1255 receiving yards is his best output in five seasons, coupled with a league-leading 13 receiving TDs. His 15.9 receiving yards last year was also the highest in four years.
Will Evans’ production take a hit without Canales out of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
These numbers sound good, but it’s also important to note that the Carolina Panthers poached him from their rivals, adding offensive firepower to a team that desperately needed them.
While fans may be worried with how the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would perform now that Canelo left the building, Bucs Wire’s Luke Easterling gave fans a reassuring statement:
Canales is now the head coach of the division-rival Carolina Panthers, but his replacement, Liam Cohen, comes from the same coaching tree, and should have many of the same concepts and tendencies that helped Evans enjoy such a successful year despite his age.
This revelation suggests that Coen wasn’t just brought over to appease Baker Mayfield into staying with the team.
If Coen manages to keep Evans open, it’s not hard to imagine the 30-year-old wideout to enjoy another strong season if he stays.
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