Heading into the 2024 offseason, longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was set to hit free agency, and some wondered if his time with the franchise had finally come to an end.
However, the Bucs and Evans were able to work out a new deal before he could hit the free-agent market, and he’s now under contract with the team through the 2025 season.
In addition to bringing back one the best players in the history of the franchise, Tampa Bay was also apparently able to clear a significant amount of cap space with the contract they gave the veteran wide receiver (via JennaLaineESPN on Twitter).
Per source, the Bucs did indeed restructure Mike Evans’ contract to free up $17.43 million in cap space, as @_MLFootball first reported. They converted his 2024 $21.79 million roster bonus into a signing bonus. This isn’t creating new money to spend though.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 17, 2024
Likely because he plays in one of the smallest markets in the league, Evans definitely doesn’t get as much recognition as he should for the impressive accomplishments he’s had during his NFL career.
He’s been in the league since the Bucs selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, and in each of his 10 seasons in the NFL, he’s finished with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
Obviously, Evans ranks at the top in almost every receiving category in Bucs franchise history, but he also currently ranks third among active NFL players in career receiving yards, seventh in career receptions, and second in career receiving touchdowns.
Evans only needs six touchdown catches next season to become the 11th player in league history to haul in at least 100 touchdown passes in a career.
Whether that accomplishment happens in 2024 or in 2025, it will likely be celebrated by the wide receiver while wearing a Bucs uniform.
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