The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ surprising season is lastly over, however now they’ve received some enormous choices to make. Primarily in regards to the futures of Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans in Tampa. Each want to keep, and with Evans being homegrown, he’ll doubtless have some affect on the group in terms of Mayfield receiving a brand new deal. However like some other contract scenario, they’ll have to weigh the professionals and cons of tying up large cash to each gamers.
Mayfield had a bounce-back year and positively earned the chance to proceed as Tampa’s beginning quarterback, however at what price? In the event you’re the Buccaneers’ entrance workplace you’re questioning whether or not you need to be tied to him long run after a Geno Smith-esque turnaround. Now, Baker hadn’t fallen so far as Smith, however many had written him off as a consequence of principally inconsistent play previous to arriving in Tampa Bay. You’ve received to ask your self if this was an anomaly or if Mayfield will be the man over the subsequent three to 5 years.
With Evans, it looks like he needs to be first in line to re-sign, particularly since he’s been with the franchise his whole profession. Nonetheless, this isn’t all the time the case, particularly as soon as a participant hits the magic mark of age 30. He’ll flip 31 in August simply earlier than the beginning of the 2024 marketing campaign, however not like Mayfield, Evans has been a mannequin of consistency within the NFL.
It hasn’t mattered who the coach, offensive coordinator or quarterback has been, Evans exhibits up and performs via most accidents and produces. Evans simply accomplished his tenth NFL season and has by no means completed with fewer than 1,000 yards receiving. In half of these years, he’s had double-digit landing catches. Throughout the 2019 season, Evans performed in 13 video games, the bottom of his profession. He caught solely 67 balls that 12 months and nonetheless collected greater than 1,100 yards.
Even with all these accomplishments, we all know how organizations view gamers above 30. Evans has been one of the vital underrated gamers of his era enjoying in Tampa. He’s been excellent the previous decade, however aside from his 5 Professional Bowl picks, there aren’t a ton of particular person accolades on his resume. Having that Tremendous Bowl helps quite a bit, nevertheless it looks like Evans has all the time been within the background of NFL extensive receivers. He’s not a diva and doesn’t converse a lot publicly. That’s one purpose his group loves him. No drama.
Nonetheless, it appears as if Evans needs Mayfield again as his QB for the lengthy haul. That’s the place this turns into an enormous dilemma, particularly should you aren’t utterly bought on Mayfield. Signing Mayfield, 28, to an extension past two years could possibly be a significant danger, particularly if you issue within the QB market. Some suppose Mayfield might jump into the $40 million per year range with this extension. Sure, it sounds absurd, however that’s the place we’re in 2024.
These Buccaneers shocked a lot of the soccer world with the season they pulled off, led by Mayfield and Evans. However tying up a lot cash in a QB who’s been common (and generally barely that) for many of his profession, might wind up being the transfer that sinks this battleship. Evans can also be a danger however much less of 1 since you already know what you’ve received there. The Bucs will doubtless lock up Evans and ensure he ends his profession there, however take cautious steps towards a brand new take care of Baker.
