One more wide receiver is off the Jets’ free agent wish list.
According to his agent Derky Gilmore, the Buccaneers and wide receiver Mike Evans have agreed on a two-year, $52 million contract. The deal includes a $35 million signing bonus.
The Jets were one of the many teams who targeted Evans, 30, this offseason. However, many considered landing the five-time Pro Bowler a long shot because he wanted to remain with the Buccaneers, who selected him seventh overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M.
Last week at the NFL Scouting Combine, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht dismissed rumors that the team and Evans were far apart in contract talks.
“We’re working very hard on that,” Licht said. “On both sides, both ends are, and trust me, we all want Mike.”
It’s easy to see why the Buccaneers would want to keep Evans. He is the only receiver in NFL history to register 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons. He is also the second receiver after Jerry Rice (14) to record 10 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Last year, for the NFC South-winning Buccaneers, Evans caught 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns. In Tampa Bay’s two playoff games against the Eagles and Lions, Evans recorded 19 catches for 195 yards and a touchdown.
With Evans off the board, the Jets will now focus on other free-agent receivers. Gang Green is looking for another receiver to pair with top target Garrett Wilson.
The Jets have been reportedly trying to convince the Raiders to trade veteran receiver Davante Adams. But Las Vegas general manager Tom Telesco told reporters that the team is not interested in trading the six-time Pro Bowl receiver.
A year ago, the Jets signed Allen Lazard to a four-year, $44 million contract, hoping he would help improve their offense. However, he suffered through a disappointing 2023 season.
Lazard finished last season with 23 catches for 311 yards and one touchdown in 14 games. He was also a healthy scratch for three games.
Lazard’s 2024 salary ($10 million) is fully guaranteed. Because of that, the Jets and Lazard must find a way to make it work, at least through the 2024 season.
The Jets will hope the return of Aaron Rodgers from an Achilles tear, who was also his teammate in Green Bay for five seasons, can help Lazard regain his previous form. But the Jets cannot depend on Lazard emerging as their No. 2 receiver again this offseason.
That’s why the Jets receiver wish list could include Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley, Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown, and Bills receiver Gabe Davis.
Following a 2022 suspension for betting on NFL games, Ridley was traded from the Falcons to the Jaguars. He finished the 2023 season with 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns.
With his exceptional speed, adding Brown would be a significant addition to the Jets receiver room. But his numbers with the Cardinals declined the last two seasons after finishing with 91 catches, 1,008 yards, and a six-touchdown campaign in 2021. He registered 51 receptions for 574 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Davis has recently hinted that his days with the Bills are over. Two weeks ago, he posted a video on social media that seemed like a farewell message to Buffalo fans. He averaged 40 catches for 683 yards and seven touchdowns each of the last four years.
The Jets could also look towards the draft to fill their receiving needs. They’re expected to select an offensive lineman in Round 1. But that will also depend on what the team does in free agency.
If Washington’s Rome Odunze or LSU’s Malik Nabers are still available when the Jets select No. 10 in April’s draft, the team would undoubtedly have to consider it. Gang Green could also consider adding Brock Bowers, a game-changing tight end at Georgia.
The Jets’ tight end room is loaded with Tyler Conklin, C.J. Uzomah, and Jeremy Ruckert, but they were one of 15 teams who met with Bowers at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week. During his three seasons at Georgia, Bowers caught 175 passes for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns en route to helping the Bulldogs win two national championships.
Bowers has a unique combination of acceleration, speed, and excellent hands. He is also an incredible route runner with the talent to beat linebackers and safeties in man and zone coverage.
Many draft experts, including ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., have predicted Bowers landing with the Jets. During the combine, Bowers told reporters that catching passes from Rodgers would be a dream.
It would be pretty sweet,” Bowers said at the NFL Combine last week. “He’s one of the best of all-time to do it at quarterback and it would be cool to learn under him and play under him and hopefully learn some stuff.”
