The Green Bay Packers may not be the only team in the NFC to agree to a massive trade this off-season. Aaron Rodgers being dealt to the New York Jets shook the league, however, there is one more team who is rumored to be on the brink of a trade.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers May Need To Trade Wide Receiver Mike Evans Before It Is Too Late
As things stand, Mike Evans will likely leave the Buccaneers after this season.
Having reached an impasse regarding an extension of his contract, the greatest offensive weapon in the team’s history is likely to play his final season with them in 2023.
In 2018, Evans signed a five-year, $82 million contract that will expire at the end of this season. The Buccaneers have not made any progress in extending Evans’ contract despite the fact that he turned 30 just a few days ago.
According to reports, Evans is attempting to reach an agreement similar to that signed by Rams receiver Cooper Kupp, who signed a three-year, $80.1 million contract in which $75 million of that was guaranteed as well as a $20 million signing bonus.
With the Mike Evans likely done with the Buccaneers, and the Buccaneers knowing this, a trade all of a sudden seems more likely than just letting him walk in 2024.
Could The Green Bay Packers Trade For Mike Evans?
This isn’t the first time Evans has been rumored to be a trade candidate this off-season. According to David Latham:
Recently, NFL.com’s Mark Sessler published an article identifying the biggest offseason priority for every team in the league. When it came time to talk about the Chiefs, Sessler said that the team needs to trade for a big-time wideout, and highlighted Mike Evans as a possible trade target.
“Justyn Ross is a 6′-4″ item of intrigue, but Kansas City rests in a unique spot. Player development is king, but trading for a plug-and-play star – maybe Tampa’s Mike Evans or this column’s oft-mentioned DeAndre Hopkins – would keep the Mahomes Machine a step ahead of the Bengals and Bills.”
While a DeAndre Hopkins trade has been discussed at length, this is the first time we’ve ever heard Mike Evans mentioned in this type of talk. There is a chance that Sessler is blindly speculating, but NFL analysts typically hear whispers from around the league that inform this type of guesswork.
The Buccaneers only went 8-9 with Tom Brady last year, so it’s safe to say that they’re only going to be worse in 2023 with everybody one year older and Baker Mayfield under center. Mike Evans might not be the unstoppable force he once was, but he’s still a good player and should be able to fetch a decent return on the trade market.
Of course, the only way the Buccaneers go through with this is if they admit that this just isn’t their year. Only time will tell if they have enough self-awareness to make this decision, but for what it’s worth, trading Evans after June 1st will free up $14.5 million in cap space.
Following the Aaron Rodgers trade, the Green Bay Packers certainly have the draft capital to target a name like Mike Evans. At 30 years of age, Evans is coming off a year in which he recorded 77 receptions and 1,124 yards receiving, along with six touchdowns. With Watson, Doubs, and Reed, this offense would be able to reach a whole new level with the addition of a weapon like that.
It also needs to be noted that the Packers are clearly willing to commit to a big contract. Their interest in trading for star running back Jonathan Taylor showed as much.
Stay updated with the latest developments surrounding Mike Evans’ potential move from the Buccaneers. For more insights and updates on the Green Bay Packers, head over to Green Bay Packers News and be the first to know about all the team’s latest happenings and trade rumors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What team was Mike Evans on before Bucs?
Before joining the Buccaneers, Mike Evans played college football at Texas A&M. He gained recognition as a Consensus First-Team All-American for his outstanding performance, setting a school record of 1,394 receiving yards on 69 receptions. In 2014, Evans was drafted by the Buccaneers in the first round as the seventh overall pick.
Is Mike Evans the best receiver?
While Mike Evans has consistently surpassed 1,000 receiving yards every season, he is not frequently regarded as the top wide receiver in the NFL. Despite his impressive statistics, other players tend to receive more recognition for the title. However, Evan's consistent performance makes him a valuable asset for any team.
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