Wide receiver Mike Evans has told the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he will only be negotiating a new contract until the start of the NFL’s week one season. If not completed, this could be his last season in Florida. That’s what his consulting agency said on Friday.
A press release from Day 1 Sports and Entertainment said Evans “wants to be in the next phase of his career with an organization that wants him and wants him to help win the Super Bowl.” The statement continues: “Therefore, we have informed the Buccaneers organization that we will end contract negotiations on September 9, 2023.” A day later, the new season begins for the Bucs with a guest appearance with the Minnesota Vikings.
Meanwhile, the agency said: “We’ve been working to extend Mike’s career with the Bucs for over a year and we want the fans to know that this is not a tactic and that the ball is in the hands of the team owners. Given that, we’re handing it to the Bucs “There’s time until the start of the season to make Evans a Buc forever. And if that can’t happen, Mike’s focus will be 100 percent on football and his future – and where he can continue to have a big impact.”
Evans was the Buccaneers’ seventh pick overall in the 2014 draft and has rushed for at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his nine NFL seasons since – a league record. Evans was selected to the Pro Bowl four times and won the Super Bowl at home against the Kansas City Chiefs with Tampa Bay 2020 after his first playoff appearance ever.
In nine seasons in the NFL, Evans has had 683 receptions for 10,425 yards and 81 touchdowns. Evans signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract extension in 2018 that took effect in 2019. He’s due $13 million in base salary next season after receiving a $1.5 million squad bonus in March.