While some might have expected a drop-off in Mike Evans’ production last season, considering he turned 30 years old and didn’t have Tom Brady as his quarterback anymore, he proved the doubters wrong with a stellar 2023 campaign.
Evans caught 79 passes for 1,255 yards and a league-high 13 touchdowns, re-setting his own NFL record by starting his career with 10 straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving.
Those numbers clearly showed that Evans enjoyed having Baker Mayfield as his quarterback, but after Mayfield’s career year on a one-year deal with the Bucs, he’s set to hit free agency next week.
After signing a new two-year contract extension Friday to remain with the Bucs, Evans was asked if he considers Mayfield an “elite” quarterback.
“Absolutely,” Evans said. “It’s on record that I’ve played with many quarterbacks throughout my career, so that doesn’t matter. Whoever the quarterback is, he’s an NFL quarterback. But, yeah, me and Baker, we have a really good connection. I think he’s an elite quarterback.”
Evans also made it clear that he wants Mayfield back as his quarterback next season, so we’ll see if the Bucs are able to make that happen before he hits the open market in a few days.
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