An extension for Mike Evans has been under consideration for much of the offseason in Tampa Bay, and finalizing one would prolong his tenure with the team and generate immediate salary cap benefits. Talks could produce an agreement in the near future. 
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes that an extension for the Pro Bowl wideout could be worked out by the end of training camp. Doing so would be beneficial for team and player given the $23.69MM cap hit he is set to carry for the 2023 season. Mutual interest is believed to exist to strike a deal in this case, something Evans recently confirmed.
“Finishing my career with one team, that would be awesome to do that,” he said. “I’m sure they want that, and I want it as well. Hopefully we can get an extension. Would be good for both parties.”
Evans is entering his age-30 season, but his remarkable consistency makes him a logical candidate for another new deal. The former first-rounder’s five-year, $82.5MM pact proved to be a worthwhile investment as Evans continued his career-long streak of recording 1,000 or more yards in each campaign. Flattening out his 2023 cap hit while ensuring he will remain with the Buccaneers as they begin the post-Tom Brady era at quarterback would provide stability for the transitioning team.
Still, Tampa already has one $20MM-per-year commitment at the WR spot with Chris Godwin; no team has two such deals at the position. Any Evans extension would also eat into the more than $27MM in cap space Tampa is currently scheduled to have next year, spending power which will be welcomed after dealing with a league-leading $75MM in dead money this season.
For the time being, at least, Evans will be counted on as a focal point of the Buccaneers’ offense as the team sorts out its situation under center. It remains unclear whether Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask will earn the Week 1 starting job, but either passer will no doubt lean heavily on Evans during the season. Whether the latter has a new deal in place by the start of the campaign will be a key storyline to follow in the coming days and weeks.
Despite never having a first team all pro nod, Evans is secretly one of the most productive WRs of all time.
He should cross the 85 TD threshold this year which is more or less a guarantee HOF nod. Only 1 player that has 85 isn’t in (that won’t for sure get in like Gronk or Gates) and that is Hines Ward.
Hines was also a great blocker.
That is true but how many yards per game did that really add in for value?
I like Hines as a player but if we are having a conversation about great WRs during his playing time it’s a long way before we get to his name.
9 consecutive seasons of 1000 yards is pretty wild.
Mike Evans should look further afield. A Todd Bowles team isn’t going anywhere. NYJ doomed their franchise by bringing him aboard and keeping him so long.