ESPN: Mike Evans Likely Wants Cooper Kupp Money
January 28th, 2024
(Photo courtesy Buccaneers.com.)
The Bucs have four big-name free agents to re-sign from the 2023 season: Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield.
Bucco Bruce Arians says the Bucs will bring back all of them. The numbers offered by Jenna Laine of ESPN suggest without creative accounting, that’s going to be a tough fit.
ESPN has the Bucs with some $35 million in cap space to play with. OverTheCap.com has $47 million.
Whichever site you trust, all of that space will likely be eaten up by those stars and put the Bucs over the top.
Evans could command around $25 million annually. Hill is averaging $30 million, and Davante Adams, who was in the same draft class as Evans in 2014, is averaging $28 million, while Cooper Kupp is making $26.7 million per year. Kupp’s deal was initially what Evans and his agent, Deryk Gilmore, were striving to match prior to the start of the regular season. Evans and general manager Jason Licht both indicated they’d like the receiver to stay in Tampa.
“It would mean everything for the franchise, ownership, all of us,” Licht told ESPN of Evans spending his entire career with the Bucs. “Mike and I — our relationship is still the same and has never changed. And we’ve got a mutual understanding of when we’re going to begin talking.”
Well, Evans is worth as much as Kupp. Joe thought so much of Kupp in 2021 that Joe believed he should have been named league MVP. Kupp, since blowing out his knee in 2022, hasn’t been the same.
Is Evans as good or better than Adams? Well, you tell Joe: Would the Bucs have been in the playoffs without Evans? The Raiders were a garbage team with Adams.
Evans led the league with 13 touchdowns. Adams had eight.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:21 am
Evans is better than Kupp, and Adams so hopefully Licht and him will work it out and get it done. Can’t let a hall of fame receiver go who’s still playing like he’s in his prime
January 28th, 2024 at 10:27 am
Evans still has good skills set at 30 and I think he want to stay in Tampa. I don’t think he want to break the bank but I do think he want to get a good offer or he will bolt
January 28th, 2024 at 10:31 am
While I love Mike Evans I have to disagree …Evan’s is not better than Adam’s. Keep in mind last year the raiders has no QB .
January 28th, 2024 at 10:32 am
Evans-$26M x3, 50% bonus – $13M Cap
Baker-$30Mx3, 50% bonus – $15M Cap
Win-$18Mx3, 75% bonus – $6M Cap
LVD-$7Mx1, 0 Bonus – $7M
2024 Salary Cap = $41M ($8M remain)
That’s enough for the draft and a couple vets. Bucs can restructure Shaq for more.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:33 am
I’m old enough to remember you guys talking about how ME13 was a bonehead for asking for that much and how he wasn’t worth it.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:34 am
Evans is better than Adams because Evans can get 1,000 yard seasons with any quarterback, even Josh mccown sorry as. Adams needed Aaron Rodger’s, an elite quarterback to be the best in the business. Evans deserves $25 million a year but we need to pay other players too, especially an elite edge rusher
January 28th, 2024 at 10:37 am
Much more important to keep Baker, LVD and Winfield. A lot of Evans stats are in desperation time and he drops way too many passes to command the outrageous salary he’s demanding. Godwin is much more reliable.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:38 am
There are only 3 free agents wide receivers with 1000+ yards receiving last season.
– Mike Evans
– Michael Pittman Jr.
– Calvin Ridley
So there will be a very strong demand for his services.
The Bucs may want to consider using their 1st round pick on a new WR like Coleman from FSU.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:39 am
Evans deserves $28 million a year. We can’t lose him.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:40 am
The cost of living in LA is a far cry from Tampa.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:09 am
Love how people think the most important and highest paid position will get well below market value. If the bucs want Mayfield it will be 40M minimum, look at recent Daniel Jones and Derek Carr contracts. Pay him sign him if he’s your guy get creative with the structure to lessen the cap hit. The franchise Tag guarantees him 35M and will hit the cap next year which the bucs can.t afford.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:20 am
@Mickman Evans is and has always been better than Adams. Evans also put up numbers with trash can QBs, imagine what he would have done with Rodgers in 8 seasons.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:23 am
I believe Wirfs could be extended also possibly to free up some more cap space for 2024.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:26 am
Baker played great this year, there’s no denying that. My position is pay him second to last. I obviously know qb is the most important position as they say but let’s be honest we only won 9 games. His production can more than likely be duplicated by any competent qb. Pay Winfield first then Evans, mayfield, David in that order. Draft a qb in the first round if one falls that late. I still don’t trust baker long term with a new OC.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:31 am
Bye Mike. See ya! I’ll help you pack.
ANd now for the hallmark channel, bon bon eating fans that will cry and whine…but but but MIKE HAS RETIRE A BUC. WAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!
BUCS>>>>>>any player
Buck up lil campers, I doubt he’ll be here next year. We can draft a stud WR in the 1st round.
This is Bakers team now and Mike can kick rocks.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:33 am
Spotrac estimates Evans’ new contract at $23.8 mill per year for a 4 year deal.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:34 am
Evans is not better than Kupp and Adams were a couple years ago, when they signed those big contracts. Both teams regret the contracts too, I bet.
I don’t think I would pay any player “top dollar,” these days. It effects other roster decisions, and possibly coaching decisions, too much.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:45 am
Evans may wind up in Houston. He’s from Galveston, an hour away.
There’s no way Bucs should give him $25m a year.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:50 am
It’s funny how highly respected coaches like McVay and BA (I could name 8 more) love Baker Mayfield. Baker has shown he can put up good numbers. He did in 2018, 2020 while with a terrible organization like the Browns, and in 2023 with our Bucs. No, I’m not counting 2021 because of a shoulder tear and fracture (his HC never should have allowed him to play). And also 2022 because he played for the worst team in football, the frigin Panthers!
The League average for starting QB’s is somewhere in the area of 35/37.5M per year. Why do some birdbrains on this site think that he’ll play for 20/25M?
January 28th, 2024 at 11:55 am
Mike is worth that money. I keep reading that Baker helped Canales, and Canales helped Baker. NEWSFLASH: without Mike Evans, neither would have been as stellar! Mike is the secret sauce. I love Baker, but Mike makes him look good.
How about getting rid of some clunkers? JTS, etc, etc.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:12 pm
ME13 literally does not need money. Economic Times has his net worth currently pegged at 25 million. He does expect and deserve RESPECT!
Do not mistake me for some meleongins here who resent Canales moving up the food chain. IF ME13 decides to cash in it’s America and God bless him. I’ll always respect and admire him even if he went to the Falcons or Panthers.
My point is that his lack of need totally FREES ME13 to make the deal he wants.
IF he could get 25 million but settles for 20 million or less to remain a Buc that’s a choice that will not materially affect his lifestyle or future. Again though it’s about RESPECT.
OF the 5 major FA’s being discussed…Mayfield, Winfield, Wirfs. are different than ME and LVD. Not only have the latter pair already made a ton they are getting older. IMHO BOTH played at exceedingly high levels and deserved top$$ for last season. I”m certainly willing to gamble again next year on paying them whatever can be squeezed out.
UNLESS the almighty cap…and kicking the can down the road is essential…I don’t mind seeing what these guys earn NEXT year…AFTER that the Bucs need a way to be able to cut bait. ME and LVD could have 3-4 more years of high production remaining….OR they could be like Shaq and once age hits…it’s over and it comes differently with different players. And guys can change dramatically from year to year at that age. See Tom Brady.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
I think Evans has shown with his production that he deserves a good contract.
I m not a capologist but i believe a 3 year contract with the first 2 years guaranteed with the money he wants is a good contract. Assuming the money he wants are in the range that are in the article.
Go Bucs
January 28th, 2024 at 12:13 pm
@ Sly
“Bucs can restructure Shaq for more.”
Not true – Shaq’s base salary is only $1.2M in 2024. The juice has already been squeezed from that grape.
However the Bucs can pull @ $50M from –
– Godwin
– Vea
– Davis
– Dean
– Nelson
So the Bucs have plenty of cap space as long as you don’t mind kicking the salary cap can down the road another year of two…
January 28th, 2024 at 12:15 pm
The Raiders were garbage team with Davante Adams because they didn’t have a quarterback having said that Mike Evans had 1000 yards or more every season with different quarterbacks.I’m
January 28th, 2024 at 12:18 pm
And re-signing Wirfs, ergo reworking his contract.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:29 pm
Is that a serious question? Evans is way better than Adams in so many ways!
January 28th, 2024 at 12:33 pm
@ Joe
For sure.
I really hope the Bucs give Wirfs the long-term deal he deserves.
Plus it will knock another $8-$10M or so off the 2024 cap…
January 28th, 2024 at 12:37 pm
Juston Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 11:26 am
I obviously know qb is the most important position as they say but let’s be honest we only won 9 games. His production can more than likely be duplicated by any competent qb. Pay Winfield first then Evans, mayfield, David in that order. Draft a qb in the first round if one falls that late. I still don’t trust baker long term with a new OC.
____________________
@Juston.
Juston “any competent QB” like maybe one of these guys?
Highest Career Postseason Passer Rating, Active NFL Quarterbacks (min. 3 games)
Quarterback Team(s) Rating
Patrick Mahomes Chiefs 106.7
Matthew Stafford Lions/Rams 101.7
Brock Purdy 49ers 101.0
Baker Mayfield Browns/Bucs 100.4
Aaron Rodgers Packers 100.1
January 28th, 2024 at 12:42 pm
Mike Evans can still play at a high level but he’s not worth $25+ million……..he has become a lazy route runner and drops too many balls due to lack of focus. He will still make a big time catch in crunch time but is not dialed in the whole game. He is now on the wrong side of 30 and will begin declining. We need to transition to younger and hungrier at the position. Unfortunately Godwin seems to have lost something since his knee injury. We need to consider WR early in the draft.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
D-Rok Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 11:33 am
Spotrac estimates Evans’ new contract at $23.8 mill per year for a 4 year deal.
A guy from Spotrac was on WDAE two days ago. He said the same thing on the show but also said that in an open market this year, that if Evans wanted he probably could beat Cooper Kupps 3 year deal from a couple of years ago.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
I disagree with suggesting that Evans is a lazy route runner. Not the guy that I saw play all year long.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
@stpetebucfan Says:
Did you mean “Melungeons”?
January 28th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
OBJ is a lazy route runner and primma donna, Evans is precise and is always where he should be.
January 28th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Pay Mike what ever it takes.
Offer Mayfield 25 and let him walk if he wants more somewhere else.
Get out from under Shaq Dean or Davis
January 28th, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Bye Mike.
January 28th, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Itzok Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 11:09 am
Love how people think the most important and highest paid position will get well below market value. If the bucs want Mayfield it will be 40M minimum, look at recent Daniel Jones and Derek Carr contracts.
_________
@Itzok, you are not dealing with sensible people. See Gipper above a 12:37PM
January 28th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Now is the time to let him walk. Bucs will be strapped big time if they spend too much @ WR. Look at GB, they suddenly have a whole roster filled with young dynamic WRs. With so many college offensives airing it out, there’s a steady supply of talent at that position. I’d use Evan’s dollars to sign Mayfield and reinforce both lines; and look to the draft & FA to stock up on WRs.
January 28th, 2024 at 1:25 pm
I know we’re trying to get away from backloading contracts, but Evans is a special case, and he’s only gonna play another 2-3 years likely
January 28th, 2024 at 1:31 pm
It’s one thing to have a combo WR and QB superstar making big bucks that can carry the team.
Neither ME or BM can carry a team alone or together. That leaves us cash strapped one not better off.
Let him walk. Keep him talking to you draft WR at number 1 though.
January 28th, 2024 at 1:37 pm
In Licht I trust. He knows ME13 and LVD are deserving a $$bonus. Bowles literally saved BM’s career butt. Mayfield owes him. According to fans like DR, Bucs have a little more breathing room with this year’s $$ cap. Next season will be interesting and fun. Looking forward to the off-season, too. Go Bucs!!
January 28th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
I hope both walk and to the same team, maybe Atlanta
January 28th, 2024 at 2:09 pm
EVERYONE wants ME to retire a Buc!…but maxing out his contract would just be insane, all emotions aside. He will get a bigger offer elsewhere, no way we could, or should match it. Has he earned it? absolutely! Does he deserve it? Undoubtedly! But unless we can compromise somewhere in the middle, you have to let him walk.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Also, if he does leave, he’s NOT going to Carolina or Atlanta! Get out of here with that shite. He has a few years left to win another Super Bowl. Ravens, Chiefs, Texans, maybe Cowboys
January 28th, 2024 at 2:12 pm
Seems to be the same with these players that are rich already. “I gotta feed my family!!”
January 28th, 2024 at 2:16 pm
No shame in knowing your worth. Better than the Billionaire owners pocketing all the cash.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Also, if he does leave, he’s NOT going to Carolina or Atlanta! Get out of here with that. He has a few years left to win another Super Bowl. Ravens, Chiefs, Texans, maybe Cowboys
January 28th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Evans is elite because he can do perform even with average Qbs.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Evans is far from elite. He is a game wrecker early and then has to make it look like he fixed his f up later in garbage time. If dude could catch we would be a totally different team. They should pay him to leave.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:25 pm
@ gipper, numbers are cool
To support an argument but you can look at the eye test. We’re basing Bakers success off of this year when he has many years to support the contrary. I get it, this year he balled out but do you trust it moving forward. I need a bigger sample size to give this man 40 million per on a long term deal. They played a beyond struggling Philly team and he had good numbers yet a L against a lions team that has a trash secondary. Come on let’s not ignore who this man was as a for overall pick for all these years.
January 28th, 2024 at 2:52 pm
“geno711 Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 12:46 pm
D-Rok Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 11:33 am
Spotrac estimates Evans’ new contract at $23.8 mill per year for a 4 year deal.
A guy from Spotrac was on WDAE two days ago. He said the same thing on the show but also said that in an open market this year, that if Evans wanted he probably could beat Cooper Kupps 3 year deal from a couple of years ago.”
And, geno, this is precisely why none of us are an NFL GM, because it’s subtle nuances to a contract like this that need to have context. Sure seems to me Evans will be in the 23-25mill range, but who knows?
The same site, Spotrac, lists Mayfield at estimated 27.1mill annually, Winfield at 18.4, and Devin White at 20.1 mill. I doubt White will see anywhere near 20mill, but again, who knows?
January 28th, 2024 at 2:58 pm
LightningBuc
Yep thanks for the correction it’s Melungeon and I picked up that as a slur from my time working in the Applachian Mountains of Upper East Tennesse and SW VA
The folks there called their “inbreds” melungeons which is probably a slur in reality. I’m probably very politically incorrect. Apologies to anybody who actually has met a Melungeon.
As for the inbreds…apologies to them as well it’s not their fault their close relatives parented them and in fact in many states now there is no way out of delivering an inbred even if the father or brother has sex with the daughter or sister.
Up in the mountains, especially in the rural “hollers”, it’s a reality. Maybe here as well I’m just not as aware as I was in Tennessee.
January 28th, 2024 at 3:05 pm
Larrd … ‘Evans is not better than Kupp and Adams were a couple years ago, when they signed those big contracts. Both teams regret the contracts too, I bet.’
Interesting observation Larrd, and you’ve hit on something very important. BIG CONTRACTS INVOLVE BIG RISK. Ryan Jensen & Russell Gage are perfect (albeit most current) examples. Together their current salaries are $23 mil per year for 3 years, and we’ve effectively gotten almost nothing from each for that money. Obviously the accompanying CAP Hits have been spread out over several years, but the impact’s the same … 2 major injuries have cost us a bit over 10% of our salary CAP for a 3-year period.
In Mike Evans case, he’ll make at least that much (probably closer to $25 mil) over an even longer period (probably 4 years?). THAT’S a huge chunk of risk to take on a 30-year-old body, regardless of how well it’s held up over the past 10 years. In Kupp’s case, it’s not paying off. In Adams’ case, playing on a mediocre team makes a world of difference in terms of stats.
January 28th, 2024 at 3:13 pm
I don’t care, pay him.
He made Mike Glennon and Baker Mayfield look like good NFL QBs, so you can save money there. Also he’s playing as well now as he’s ever played. He’s got probably 3 more years at the top left, then might fall off to being merely a good starter, and a 5th year where he’s still usable.
So if you have to overpay on that 5-year, whatever, it’s the Glazers money, not mine.
As for the cap, you can make it do whatever you need it to do.
January 28th, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Time to let himwalk. Don’t think he commands the price that he be look for.
January 28th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Mayfield getting $35 million a year minimum….sorry haters that’s what happens when you marry the wrong narrative and keep waiting for the shoe to drop and instead Baker is getting bag.
January 28th, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Marine Buc … ‘However the Bucs can pull @ $50M from – Godwin – Vea – Davis – Dean – Nelson. So the Bucs have plenty of cap space as long as you don’t mind kicking the salary cap can down the road another year of two.’
The combined CAP Hit for those 5 is currently $89 mil for 2024. Restructuring all 5 could reduce that by quite a bit this year, but $50 mil is being very aggressive, and sets us up for a terrible 2025 (and beyond). Besides, restructuring extends their hits, and commits us to all 5 for longer than we’re currently committed. Could be a disaster in the making IOW.
January 28th, 2024 at 4:21 pm
Juston,
Baker numbers include 4 playoff games: Steelers, Chiefs, Eagles , Lions. Fully get it that you have an “eye test” whatever that means. Some will go to absurdities to make a point. You have a lot of company on these pages when it comes to saying dumb things about Mayfield. Just see Rod Munch. What about it Rod, does 12:37 pass your “eye test?”
January 28th, 2024 at 4:23 pm
Cut Gage and give Mike his raise from that savings. Easy solution. We can run back the exact receiver room from last year and not miss a beat
January 28th, 2024 at 5:10 pm
Don’tBmad Says:
January 28th, 2024 at 3:56 pm
Mayfield getting $35 million a year minimum….sorry haters that’s what happens when you marry the wrong narrative and keep waiting for the shoe to drop……………
_________________________
Agree with you, but there are many on this blog who just need to be right on Mayfield even if it is a little, tiny bit. They still don’t get it or maybe they do, but just really hard for them to eat humble pie. It has been that way all season. They aren’t going to get Baker religion now. That’s OK, hopefully their man Trask will dazzle the NFL next year while Baker moves on to the Steelers at $45M/year.
January 28th, 2024 at 5:32 pm
Mike or Bake – but not both.
January 28th, 2024 at 5:34 pm
@brandontucky – Please…read a book. The NFL and PLAYERS split the pie. SMDH. Joe, please do something.
January 28th, 2024 at 6:39 pm
Pay Mike his money. He can can catch ot all day long from Trask. Baker and Godwin are disposable. You can make it work well with Trask throwing to Evans and Palmer.
January 28th, 2024 at 7:02 pm
I’ll probably get run out of Tampa for saying this but Evan’s is NOT as good as Kupp. Kupp may be a step slower but still is lightening quick compared to Mike. Kupp holds onto to EVERYTHING. Mike does not have HOF “hands”. No where near it. Evans is AMAZINGLY consistent year after year and a master at positioning and using his body. Mike also has a longer career at this point and He deserves a raise. But 3yr $25-26 mil a year is his ceiling since he is at the twilight of his career.
January 28th, 2024 at 7:05 pm
We don’t need Baker!! We Definitely need Mike Evans!!! Let’s Go BUCS!!!!!
January 28th, 2024 at 7:33 pm
@ DR
I agree man but it’s the puzzle this franchise must solve.
Remain mediocre to below mediocre and continue kicking the cap can down the road.
Or
Make some very difficult decisions and let go of a few of the older more expensive players we all love to cheer for.
I would prefer choice #1. But the Bucs win their division and manage to win a play-off game and most Buc fans want to continue “chasing the dragon”. Looking for that next dopamine hit.
January 28th, 2024 at 9:47 pm
Marine Buc – I was fine with doing the rebuild this year, then getting one of those top NFL prospects.
But at this point, you might as well give it one more go with your remaining SB talent, then if it doesn’t work out, you’re cleaning house.
Also you can’t count on the NFC South being garbage forever, so you might as well take your shots while you got the chance.
The only thing I wouldn’t do is tie my hands with a bad QB contract. I’d give Evans whatever he wants however since no matter who you have a QB, he’s going to make them dramatically better, and if you’re drafting a QB after next year, you’re going to save a ton at the QB spot, which lets you pay Evans whatever he wants.
January 28th, 2024 at 9:49 pm
Bye stone hands.
January 28th, 2024 at 10:21 pm
Don’t Danny Dimes Mayfield and pay him boo coo bucks just to watch him play like crap next year. No more than 3yr $30 mil/yr and Evans 3yrs $25mil/yr
January 28th, 2024 at 11:07 pm
JoeBucsFanHallmark.com
Trask can throw Mike the ball?
That’s the uneducated lunacy in this sports market.
I just can’t anymore.
January 28th, 2024 at 11:08 pm
@ gipper, if you wear Baker mayfield pajamas at night that’s fine but he’s definitely not my superhero. He had a good season and good numbers in the playoffs… yet what did that result in? Not a damn thing. Like come on man, I don’t care what those numbers are as far as believing he is worth a long term deal at anything over 25 million. I’m sure you know what the “eye test” means. It means Kirk cousins and Geno smith. I’m glad you’re not the GM or we would be back to having a huge payroll with nothing to show for it.
January 29th, 2024 at 5:59 am
he has dropped too many balls and while he still has juice now what about next year like Brady?
January 29th, 2024 at 7:09 am
Paying Mike $20-22 in Florida is the same as cupps $26 in California
January 29th, 2024 at 8:27 am
After California taxes, Kupp only makes so much. Maybe we can give Mike a deal that is good enough, or at least I believe we can.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:16 am
Optimisticbucsfan
“This is bakers team now mike can kick rocks”
Lmao you think baker wants the best wr he’s ever played with walk to another team? No. Baker will struggle without Evans those are facts.
January 29th, 2024 at 10:19 am
@Larrd
Evans>Kupp or Adams
He’s had a way better career than both of the other guys and still producing over 1k yards and is still a major redzone/deep threat. He is most definitely better
January 29th, 2024 at 10:24 am
@Pelsbuc61
Godwin is not more reliable than Evans, without Evans production this year we wouldn’t have made playoffs. You forget how long it took to get going involved this season? Go on somewhere, godwin is great wr2 but he’s not as good as mike
January 29th, 2024 at 10:29 am
@Boss
“They should pay him to leave”
Saying this about a hall of fame wr shows how much you know about football…