As NFL free agency approaches, longtime Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans doesn’t appear to be changing his zip code.
Then, on Monday, nine days before the start of the 2024 free agency period, the two sides struck a deal to continue working together, with Evans signing a two-year, $52 million deal with $35 million guaranteed, his agent Derrick Gilmore said. he said. He told ESPN’s Adam Schefter..
His $26 million per season average is the fourth-most among wide receivers in the NFL behind Tyreek Hill, Davante Adams and Cooper Kupp.
Evans, 30, will make his fifth Pro Bowl appearance in 2023 after catching 79 passes for 1,255 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns.
Evans has had at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of his 10 NFL seasons since being selected by the Buccaneers seventh overall out of Texas A&M in the 2014 draft.
He also scored his fifth double-digit touchdown, his third in the past four seasons.
And Evans did so despite playing his first season with Baker Mayfield, who had a renaissance season in Tampa Bay, and with the Bucs looking for an answer at quarterback following Tom Brady’s retirement. , improving his chemistry with the team’s longtime ace pass catcher.
Mayfield, 28, was selected to his first Pro Bowl while posting career highs with a 64.3 completion percentage, 4,044 passing yards, and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
The Buccaneers (9-8) won the NFC South and embarrassed the Eagles in the Wild Card Round before losing to the Lions in the Divisional Round.
Now, the Buccaneers must try to acquire Mayfield, who is also close to becoming a free agent and several other teams are reportedly interested.
