Four landing spots for Mike Evans this offseason

One of the premier wide receivers in the league has entered a pivotal point in his career; Free Agency! For the past 10 years he has resided in Tampa Bay where he produced 1,000 yards each season since coming out of Texas A&M. A feat that not many playmakers have achieved and yet even being one of the consistent performers, he has been underrated and only once Tom Brady arrived and won the Super Bowl for the Buccaneers. Only then was recognition for Evans as one of the elite wide receivers was given to him.

Despite entering his age-30 season and experiencing quarterback uncertainty post-Brady, Evans has maintained his status as one of the NFL’s elite receivers. He finished his latest season with 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns, marking his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard campaign—a record-setting achievement. 

With a Free Agency market where there are not a lot of top-level wide receivers, Evans will be top on a lot of teams’ lists who will be wanting to have his service, but what teams would need him and would he be interested in a potential move there? This article will delve into the intricacies of Evans’ contract situation, his performance, potential team fits, and the financial landscape that could shape his next move.

Here is a short list of potential landing spots for the Pro-Bowl wide receiver.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Evans will give priority to the team that drafted him. Since 2014, he has been a cornerstone of the Buccaneers’ offence. Back in 2018 he signed a five-year, $82.5 million extension, and would probably look for a similar contract. The wide receiver knows the organisation in and out and after the team’s loss in the divisional round, he expressed his desire to stay with the Bucs and did set a deadline for an extension before the season started which did not come around.

There is no doubt of question about his loyalty as he has expressed his love for the franchise and the fans. It’s a mutual appreciation for Evans as he is a fan favourite and a community figure as he’s developed a bond with the Tampa community and has done many outreaches to them. That’s only considering the loyalty factor, there’s also the importance of Evans for the Bucs. He’s the WR1 for them, Quarterback Baker Mayfield has often opted to find him when looking down the field compared to other playmakers and to his stats could make the Buccaneers more inclined to meet his contract demands to ensure they retain a player of his calibre.

But while there is mutual interest on both sides…would it be possible considering many different obstacles. For instance, while the Bucs have cap space ($48.7 million), it may not be enough to retain Evans. The Bucs have 15 free agents which include key players such as Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr. who will be expecting a big contract. That will bring a lot of decisions on who the Bucs will want to pay, considering that Mayfiled may seek more than $40 million a year after his great play this season. If the Bucs consider giving a significant amount of their cap space to Mayfield over Evans, he may have to consider his options as he is looking for long-term security. While he’ll be entering his 30s, there are concerns about long-term productivity even though the last decade has shown otherwise. Perhaps the team is willing to make the commitment to Chris Goodwin as WR1 as he’s already tied down on a long-term contract.

Many franchises are trying to strengthen their wide receiver depth or add a new WR1. Evans meets the description and will be able to earn a large deal, so the Bucs will need to think wisely about how much to commit to their 2014 first-round pick. Losing Evans would be a huge blow to them since he represented consistency. He has proven that regardless of who is at quarterback or who is the offensive coordinator, he will produce big plays for them, whether it is Brady or Josh McCown.

Carolina Panthers

An interesting choice could be their NFC South rivals, Carolina Panthers. Of course, one major appealing factor is the arrival of Panthers new Head Coach Dave Canales.

With a desperate need for a top-tier receiver to bolster their lacklustre passing game, Evans’ record-setting performance and ability to win contested catches could provide a significant upgrade to the Panthers’ receiving corps. The team’s ample cap space of over $28 million offers the financial flexibility to pursue Evans with a competitive contract. 

Moreover, Evans’ existing relationship with Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales, under whom he had a productive 2023 season, adds a layer of familiarity and mutual respect that could sway his decision. Joining the Panthers would not only support the development of young quarterback Bryce Young but also provide Evans with the opportunity to take on a leadership role and be a central figure in shaping the team’s offensive identity.

It may not be particularly tempting to Evans, who likes to win significant games. However, he lobbied hard for an extension last summer, so cashing in big again may be appealing.

That is one of many challenges as there are other teams vying for Evans’ services, concerns about his age and long-term fit, and the financial commitment required must be carefully considered by the Panthers before making a move.

Washington Commanders

Expectations are soaring for the Washington Commanders’ wide receiver corps heading into the 2023 season. With a formidable starting trio comprising Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel, along with the anticipation of Dyami Brown’s growth under the leadership of his former college quarterback Sam Howell, optimism abounds.

However, much like other positional groups, the wide receivers have failed to live up to expectations. Some players aren’t capitalising on their opportunities, while others aren’t seeing enough targets, resulting in a dip in overall production.

This presents a significant challenge for the team. Adding to the urgency is Samuel’s impending free agency, prompting discussions about making a bold move in free agency to make an immediate impact, aligning with the aspirations of Josh Harris’ ownership group. Evans, is perhaps the solution here for the Commanders.

Regardless of the quarterback throwing to him, Evans consistently delivers strong performances. His combination of size, exceptional ball skills, and polished route-running poses a formidable challenge for opposing cornerbacks, making him a highly coveted target in free agency.

While enticing Evans to join the Commanders amidst competition from other contenders presents a formidable challenge, having influential figures like Magic Johnson discussing the ownership’s ambitious plans could potentially sway his decision in Washington’s favour.

The substantial cap space of over $73 million affords them the financial flexibility to make a competitive offer to Evans, who has previously attracted interest from the team. However, securing Evans won’t be without its hurdles such as the team’s level of competitiveness in the NFC and whether it can make it to the Playoffs and if Evans would be swayed in the slightest to join the NFC East over staying in the NFC South.

New York Jets

A team that could help Evans contend for a Super Bowl right away is the New York Jets, a team that attempted to trade for Evans back in November which the Bucs rejected. While the Buccaneers are still good, there perhaps a couple more pieces away from contending and the Panthers and Commanders are nowhere near competing. But the Jet’s have a Hall Of Famer quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and this could give Evans a chance to be paired with another Hall Of Fame QB and go and attempt to replicate the Tom Brady run in Tampa. 

Even as Evans reaches the age of 30, his performance remains stellar, establishing him as a perennial force in the league. With an impressive track record of consistency, Evans continues to defy expectations, showcasing his enduring prowess as one of the league’s premier receivers. Despite the departure of Tom Brady last year, his performance remained stellar, solidifying his stature as a key offensive weapon for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The prospect of pairing Evans with rising star Garrett Wilson in the Jets’ receiving corps presents an enticing scenario, potentially providing returning Rodgers with one of the most formidable duos in the NFL.

However, the Jets currently find themselves constrained by a projected $4 million in remaining cap space, as reported by OverTheCap. While this may seem limiting, strategic moves could enhance their financial flexibility. For instance, restructuring the contracts of key players like inside linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams could yield a significant increase in cap room, potentially freeing up an additional $20 million. Moreover, restructuring Laken Tomlinson’s deal could add another $8.5 million to the Jets’ financial arsenal.

While the prospect of Evans joining forces with Rodgers and Wilson sparks excitement, the Jets’ pressing needs on the offensive line may temper such aspirations. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen whether this tantalising vision will materialise into reality or remain an elusive dream for Jets fans.