Mike Evans is re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, taking a premium wide receiver off the market before NFL free agency begins.
It’s a two-year, $52 million contract, according to NFL Media, making the ultra-consistent Evans the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid receiver in terms of average annual salary.
Evans, 30, tied for the NFL lead with 13 touchdown receptions in 2023. His 79 catches and 1,255 receiving yards both represented his highest marks since 2018.
Originally selected seventh overall by Tampa in 2014, the 6-5 Evans is the only player in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 10 NFL seasons. He was a favorite target of Tom Brady during the quarterback’s three-season stint with the Bucs from 2020-22 and was similarly relied upon by Baker Mayfield last year.
Evans was set to become one of the top wide receivers in a free-agent class that could include the Indianapolis Colts’ Michael Pittman, the San Francisco 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Calvin Ridley.
The Cincinnati Bengals used the $21.8 million franchise tag on star receiver Tee Higgins, and Pittman is a candidate to be tagged by the Colts as well.
The Giants, who haven’t had a No. 1 wide receiver since trading away Odell Beckham Jr. in 2019, and the Jets, who boast little at the position beyond Garrett Wilson, are expected to explore upgrading their receiver rooms this offseason. Both teams boast top 10 picks in next month’s draft, which is considered a deep one for wide receivers.
Evans, a five-time Pro Bowler, failed to reach an extension with Tampa last offseason and played out of the final year of his previous five-year, $82.5 million deal in 2023.
Only Miami’s Tyreek Hill ($30 million), Las Vegas’ Davante Adams ($28 million) and the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp ($26.7 million) have higher average annual salaries than Evans’ new $26 million yearly income.
Retaining Evans keeps one of the NFL’s best wide receiver duos intact. Chris Godwin, who signed a three-year, $60 million extension with Tampa in 2022, is fresh off his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.
Tampa can now turn its attention to re-signing Mayfield, an impending free agent who set career highs with 4,044 passing yards and 28 touchdowns in 2023 and led the Bucs to a playoff win against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Bucs, who won the Super Bowl with Brady after the 2020 season, have made the playoffs four years in a row and won the NFC South in each of the last three.
NFL free agency begins March 13.
