The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent most of their time and resources this offseason retaining their own free agents, but were still able to make a handful of key additions through free agency and the 2024 NFL draft to improve their roster on both sides of the ball.
But what was the best move the Bucs made this offseason?
ESPN’s Seth Walder says it was keeping future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans on a two-year contract extension that was well below what he was likely to get elsewhere on the open market:
Evans’ deal was team-friendly. He signed a two-year, $41 million contract with $29 million fully guaranteed, according to ESPN Roster Management. Though Evans will turn 31 in August, he is coming off a 1,255-yard season and yet his contract lags well behind those of other top wide receivers.
Evans has been the NFL’s most consistent wide receiver since entering the league as a top-10 pick back in 2014, starting his career with an NFL-record 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons.
He clearly wanted to finish his career in Tampa Bay, and both sides were able to work out a deal that ensured that will happen.
The Bucs made plenty of big moves this offseason, but none more important than keeping the best offensive player in franchise history.
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