Last week, news broke that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans had set a hard deadline with the organization regarding his future status. The recently turned 30-year-old wide receiver has had nine consecutive 1000-yard seasons with Tampa in addition to four Pro Bowl appearances and contributing to the 2021 Super Bowl team. However, the organization has been reluctant to extend the aging wideout in their post-Tom Brady era while they face one of the worst financial situations in the league.
Unsurprisingly, Evans feels quite differently. He’s set a deadline of September 9th for Tampa Bay to arrive at a contract extension or that his camp will shift their attention to his next team. Evans’ contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023 season and the Buccaneers would find it quite expensive to exercise the franchise tag, meaning that September 9th could ultimately signal the end of his time with the organization after this year.
Full statement by Mike Evans agent setting a deadline of Sept 8 to reach a new deal with Bucs. pic.twitter.com/tG8mHK5pfc
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) September 1, 2023
Why does it matter? In a rebuilding year for Tampa Bay, featuring Baker Mayfield starting at quarterback, many are left to wonder if Evans makes sense as a logical trade candidate before the Buccaneers lose his services for nothing in the spring.
Could the Houston Texans make sense as a candidate to bring Evans back to the state where he dominated as a college football player at Texas A&M? There are multiple angles worth looking at.