Evans isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Dolphins, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports. Per Smith, coach Todd Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network that neither Evans nor LB Lavonte David will face Miami in the team's final exhibition contest. However, the duo's absence is not injury-related, rather it's a case of them getting the night off, like a 'veteran' day in practice. Evans' next game action will thus occur when he lines up in Tampa Bay's starting lineup against the Commander on Sept. 8.
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Status
ACTIVELatest Mike Evans news
Team
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Birthdate
8/21/1993 (31)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'5", 231 lbs
Draft Info
2014: Rd 1; Pk (TB)
Birthplace
Galveston, TX, USA
Position
WR
College
Texas A&M
Experience
11 seasons
Career History
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2014-Present
(10 seasons)
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Evans isn't in line to play in Friday's preseason finale against the Dolphins, Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' official site reports. Per Smith, coach Todd Bowles told the Buccaneers Radio Network that neither Evans nor LB Lavonte David will face Miami in the team's final exhibition contest. However, the duo's absence is not injury-related, rather it's a case of them getting the night off, like a 'veteran' day in practice. Evans' next game action will thus occur when he lines up in Tampa Bay's starting lineup against the Commander on Sept. 8.
Evans' chemistry with Baker Mayfield has been evident early in the Buccaneers' training camp, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Evans displayed plenty of rapport with Mayfield right out of the gate in their first year playing together in 2023, posting a 17-297 line while also recording a touchdown apiece in the Buccaneers' first three regular-season games. The veteran wideout, who re-signed with Tampa Bay this offseason, wasted no time flashing the same chemistry with Mayfield early in training camp with several impressive catches over the first trio of practices, and he's in line to once again serve as no less than a co-No. 1 receiver alongside Chris Godwin in 2024.
Evans and the Buccaneers reached agreement Monday morning on a two-year, $52 million contract that includes $35 million guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Reports a few days earlier suggested Evans would hit free agency, but he ended up re-signing with the Buccaneers instead and will continue playing for the team that drafted him seventh overall in 2014. He'll turn 31 in August, having topped 1,000 yards in a record-setting 10 straight seasons to open his career, including 2023 when he had his most catches (79), yards (1,255) and targets (136) since 2018 while tying for the league lead in receiving touchdowns (13). The Buccaneers can now focus on re-signing their other prominent free agents, including QB Baker Mayfield, S Antoine Winfield and LB Lavonte David.
Evans plans to hit free agency for the first time in his career, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. While Evans and the Buccaneers remain in contract discussions, the veteran pass catcher wants to explore his options. Thus, it does not mean his time in Tampa Bay is over, but rather, that he plans on hearing from all teams before making a decision. The 30-year-old has been with the team for all 10 years of his NFL seasons and is coming off a campaign where he recorded 1,255 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Buccaneers appear committed to re-signing Evans before the start of free agency, even if there is a financial strain on the team's cap situation, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports. "He's an unprecedented player. We want him to be a Buc for life. We're working towards that," general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday at the NFL Combine. Licht admitted the team would probably have to "strain a little bit" to reach a deal palatable to Evans, who's coming off his 10th consecutive 1,000-yard season. The perennial Pro Bowler also recorded 13 touchdowns in 2023 -- tying for the league lead. "Mike did a heck of a job and he came to work every day," coach Todd Bowles said. "He has been very consistent, very dynamic, yet he's very humble off the field. He's one of my favorite players. I have a lot of respect for Mike and everything he does..."
Evans was in the familiar position of leading the Buccaneers in receptions, receiving yards and targets, and he rounded out his afternoon with touchdown grabs of one and 23 yards. The big-bodied receiver now has four touchdowns in his last three contests, and he's been at Sunday's yardage tally or higher in three of the last four contests overall. Evans, who's now just 150 yards away from his 10th straight 1,000-yard campaign, next takes aim at the division-rival Panthers in a Week 13 home matchup.
Evans led the Buccaneers in receptions, receiving yards and targets by a wide margin, and he narrowly missed out on a two-touchdown day due to a rare second-half drop in the end zone. However, he more than made up for it, not just with his 22-yard scoring grab late in the third quarter, but via his standout yardage total as well, which qualified as his second highest of the campaign. Evans has now scored in three of the past four contests and therefore carries ample momentum into a Week 11 road showdown against the 49ers.
Evans led the Buccaneers in receiving yards on the afternoon, but his volume was down overall on a day when Baker Mayfield spread the around to seven targets. The veteran wideout gained a big chunk of his yards on a 53-yard grab in the fourth quarter that was originally ruled a touchdown before replay determined Evans had been down before breaking the plane of the goal line. Evans' yardage total was his highest since Week 2, and although his two-game touchdown streak was narrowly snapped, he could have a good chance of getting back in the end zone in a favorable Week 10 home matchup against the Titans.