The Jacksonville Jaguars were reportedly one of several teams that had Mike Evans in their free agency plans before the wide receiver re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Atlanta Falcons were also interested in Evans.
Instead, the receiver reportedly agreed to a two-year, $52 million contract to stay in Tampa Bay.
That’s a hefty price that the Jaguars may have had a hard time matching. The other negative for Jacksonville is that the rich contract for Evans could continue to push up the already fast rising market for Calvin Ridley, who looks well positioned to be the top receiver to hit free agency.
Jacksonville’s interest in Evans isn’t too surprising. While the team has added a few players to its receiving corps in recent years, there’s not much size at the position with 6’1 Ridley, 5’11 Christian Kirk, and 6’2 Zay Jones at the top of the depth chart. As far back as November, there was talk among Jaguars brass that a taller receiver could be a missing piece for the offense.
The team will have to look elsewhere if it still hopes to add size at wide receiver.
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