Tampa Buccaneers retain All-Pro wide receiver ahead of NFL free agency
NFL free agency hasn’t even begun and the top wide receiver is off the board. Mike Evans will remain with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to multiple reports.
Evans has reached an agreement on a 2-year deal for $52 million which includes $35 million guaranteed per Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The five-time pro bowler is coming off another fantastic season. He had 1,255 yards and tied Tyreek Hill for the NFL leader with 13 touchdowns. Evans eclipsed 1,000 yards in an NFL record 10 straight seasons since entering the NFL 2014.
"He's an unprecedented player. We want him to be a Buc for life," general manager Jason Licht said last week at the NFL combine. The move to re-sign Evans also serves as a recruitment effort to bring back free agent quarterback Baker Mayfield. The former first overall pick will hit the open market next week when free agency is set to open.
With the 30-year old coming off the market, the wide receiver market just got that much more thinner. Bengals wideout Tee Higgins has already been tagged too.
That leaves Jaguars Calvin Ridley and Colts Michael Pittman Jr. as the top free agents at the position. Pittman Jr. is also a candidate to be tagged by Indianapolis. After them, the top of the market includes Ravens Odell Beckham Jr., Saints Michael Thomas, and Bills Gabe Davis.
