“They Want To Get Paid”
February 21st, 2024
Who is it?
So the first day of Tag Season came and went yesterday and Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht still has that franchise tag in his holster.
Will he use it? And if so, on who?
Since Mike Evans didn’t get tagged yesterday, a lot of Bucs fans are wringing their hands wondering when or if the Bucs can re-sign him. So is Joe.
A lot of folks think Evans could go to the Stinking Panthers. This sort of makes sense to Joe.
Evans nearly had a career season last year in his first season in Dave Canales’ offense. Evans also spoke very highly if not with a tinge of excitement how Canales, now the Stinking Panthers’ head coach, used him in ways he never was used before.
The results were damn impressive.
And the Stinking Panthers will be throwing all sorts of meddling owner David Tepper’s loot at luring a receiver to Charlotte.
The main obstacle Joe sees in people connecting dots with Evans and the Stinking Panthers is Evans wants to win. He’s spoken often of how he had his fill of losing during The Lost Decade (didn’t we all?).
The Stinking Panthers are likely two years from winning. Will Evans be around for that?
Big-name, big-monied free agents playing for losers was a subject of discussion when Evans’ status was highlighted in the latest edition of the “GM Shuffle” podcast with co-hosts former NFL front office suit Michael Lombardi and Femi Abebefe.
Febi Abebefe: I am sure people will go ahead and say hey, maybe the Carolina Panthers [sign Evans] because, hey, since he worked with Dave Canales. Who knows? I imagine he wants to go somewhere where he can win immediately since he’s getting up there right now in those years.
Michael Lombardi: We all say that but they want to get paid. We all say that. They want to get paid. Look, when Davante Adams went to the Raiders, were they going to win immediately? I don’t know. But he got paid!
That’s a fair point Lombardi makes. The zeros on a contract tend to get people’s attention.
Now you may say Carolina doesn’t have a quarterback. Yeah, Bryce Young stunk last year. But he was a rookie and he was No. 1 overall pick for a reason. Given Canales’ track record with quarterbacks, maybe Young rises to the level of Baker Mayfield?
Money talks, words walk.
Joe still maintains Houston is the team to look out for. Yeah, on paper Kansas City could really use Evans but how are they supposed to sign both Chris Jones and Evans?
Well, the pride of Seminole High School, Jeff Darlington of ESPN has an answer for that.
"I would rather Mike Evans in this offense than Chris Jones on this defense."
đź‘€ @JeffDarlington on the Chiefs pic.twitter.com/GVRhx6ofiL
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 20, 2024
February 21st, 2024 at 7:36 am
If they don’t sign Mike I will not renew my season tickets.
February 21st, 2024 at 7:40 am
Absolutely no way Evans to to Carolina that team is a$$!! Canals or no canals not happening. I still think he stays but can see the Texans making a play. Hahhahah. Carolina. Stop
February 21st, 2024 at 7:51 am
Don’t tag anyone. Sign AW long term and let the other chips fall where they may.
February 21st, 2024 at 7:52 am
I read on another Bucs site that Canales wanted to start Trask. Would Canales making a move for Evans and Trask?
February 21st, 2024 at 7:54 am
I just want Winfield signed or tagged. To me the defense was far better than this offense in a lot of the games. So I would be trying to keep the defense in tact. Most likely Evans is gone and Baker gets a 3 year deal and Winfield is tagged.
February 21st, 2024 at 7:55 am
(Sigh) They just won’t let go.
February 21st, 2024 at 8:07 am
Yeah. That’s where he wants to go. An owner who is a hothead who throws drinks on people and fires coaches after one year and mid season. With a QB who is completely befuddled. For a guy who was barely an OC and now has the whole enchilada to manage.
That makes zero sense.
February 21st, 2024 at 8:20 am
I take comfort in the words of the great Ronde Barber, “I know we have the ability to get them both in under the cap.”
February 21st, 2024 at 8:24 am
I wonder if you would have had the same thoughts and “Sighs” after you watched Steve Young get drafted stink up the field get benched in Tampa and then get picked up by San Fran and go on to have a Hall of Fame career. While you were still skirt chasing and beer drinking while freezing your arse off in college the IL Midwest. We Veteran Buccaneers fans watched as a Buccaneer-drafted QB went on to have massive success in MVP seasons and Super Bowl trophies… and we got Erikson, DeBurg II, Vinny, and Trent, via the draft and signings. Why do you have all the negativity on fans of Trask wanting to see him get a chance to play? What could be the worst that could happen? A loss? The GOAT had some of those, some here in Tampa even.
I hope we keep Trask and he has a chance to come in and show how productive he can be in the QB role in the NFL… Yeah, I ain’t no keyboard GM like almost every other JBF poster espouts to be. I have been a Buccaneer fan since 1975 at 9 when we moved to St. Petersburg, AKA {then} Wrinkle City USA, Web City, and the piano playing chicken… Memories……
GO!!!!!BUCS!!!!!
February 21st, 2024 at 8:33 am
“Maybe he’ll play at Mayfield’s level”. Lol. Garbage time stats count I guess. Man the bar has dropped.
February 21st, 2024 at 8:52 am
Got to start my day by lmao!
Thanks ethan.
But I cant help but feel a little sad for the guy.
Just picture him kneeing in front of his homemade Trask alter.
Complete with poster and candle.
Face tear stained.
Trembling hands clutching a map of NFL cities.
Desperately trying to find a home for his hero.
How can you not feel sorry for the Guy?
( starts laughing his ass off again)
February 21st, 2024 at 9:04 am
With an aging Travis Kelce, no receivers besides Rashee Rice who is more of a high end number 2 – Evans in Andy Reids offense, catching passes from Mahomes would be unstoppable. He would have a career year and may have 16-1700 yards. It would raise his profile, his legacy, not to mention the chance to go for a 3 peat. I challenge anyone to sell me on ANY reason why he should stay in Tampa for what will surely be an 8-9 type season provided there is some middle ground to be found with what KC can offer financially. It wouldn’t make Evans any less of a Buc and he will be going to the hall of fam as a buc, but holy shi some of you would need to be highly medicated with their teddy bear and emotional support animal if this happened.
February 21st, 2024 at 9:15 am
Houston is still my concern as well. Texas, like Florida, doesn’t have a state income tax (Missouri does), and Houston clearly has additional weapons, and an absolute stud young QB. Its legacy, versus opportunity (and ability to pay), in Mike Evan’s hometown.
February 21st, 2024 at 9:18 am
To be fair for Adam’s he went partially because of Carr. He wanted to play with Carr on his hometown/childhood team, and Rodgers was playing the Brett Favre game, and he had no faith in Jordan Love (sounds familiar). Getting paid an exorbitant amount of money was icing.
February 21st, 2024 at 9:47 am
Mike Evans playing for the Chiefs would be a fantastic move for him. The best QB in the NFL, the most loyal fans in the NFL, an owner who is respected by players and fans. A great offensive coach. If the Chiefs make him a competitive offer and I was in his shoes, I would take that over the big money that losers like the Panthers or Jets would offer.
The State Farm team would add Mike along with Andy Reid, Maholmes and Kelce. Just being affiliated with that organization would bring Mike millions in national advertising commercials.
Playing in KC would be the ultimate reward for Mike Evans and he would get more media attention than in NY, Carolina or Houston.
February 21st, 2024 at 9:59 am
Step #1 – sign T. Wirfs to a long term deal.
Srep #2 – sign A. Winfield to a long term deal.
Step #3 – sign Chase McLaughlin to a long term deal.
Step #4 – sign LVD to a two year deal unless he retires.
Step #5 – let Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield test free agency and match any reasonable offers.
I believe Baker will be back in Tampa on a reasonable 3 year deal because I don’t think there will be more than one or two teams interested in him.
However I don’t think Mike Evans will be back – probably heading back home to Houston.
February 21st, 2024 at 10:01 am
Evans did a couple of franchise friendly contracts and restructured contracts. So I do think Licht will get him resigned. If the Bucs do not resign Evans, I sure hope that doesn’t make the team look bad and turn off other good play who may want to sign in the future. I’ll clarify. Evans took those franchise friendly contracts several times and never complained. He is the best Bucs receiver of all times and one of the best in NFL history , he don’t seem to be injury prone and you don’t resign him. Just my thoughts, I don’t know what’s going on and what’s the sticking points in the Evans contract negotiations
February 21st, 2024 at 10:10 am
I was really hoping they would’ve signed him on Monday. They could’ve offered him more money if they did because they would’ve saved 8 million against the cap. I completely agree with Joe… Houston is the problem it’s close to his home in Texas and they are a playoff team with a real good quarterback.
They play their cards right and sign Baker and Evans, draft the center from Oregon, The offense could start rolling next year with this new OC.
Otherwise, it’s new young receivers, new quarterback… It sets them back two years
February 21st, 2024 at 10:21 am
“Joe Says:
February 21st, 2024 at 7:55 am
I read on another Bucs site that Canales wanted to start Trask. Would Canales making a move for Evans and Trask?
(Sigh) They just won’t let go”
I’m sure the “site” saying Canales wanted to start Trask was credible……”JoeTraskFan.com”
February 21st, 2024 at 10:28 am
“……I hope we keep Trask and he has a chance to come in and show how productive he can be in the QB role in the NFL… Yeah, I ain’t no keyboard GM like almost every other JBF poster espouts to be. I have been a Buccaneer fan since 1975 at 9 when we moved to St. Petersburg, AKA {then} Wrinkle City USA, Web City, and the piano playing chicken… Memories……”
There’s literally no sane reason to play Trask to ‘see what he can do’ when you already have a legit starter in Mayfield. As for the Steve Young comparisons, Trask is much more likely to fall into the Dilfer/Erickson… shlub category than Steve Young. The coaching staff knows what they have in Trask, which is why he isn’t starting.
Why some fans are ready to throw away a season just to ‘see what Trask has’ boggles the mind. If all they have are known career backups/journeymen (Jacoby Brisset, Tyrod Taylor types) then I see it. However, this team still has enough talent to not only make the playoffs, but be competitive doing it. Not very likely to happen with Trask.
February 21st, 2024 at 11:06 am
I don’t want any fans that are bigger fans of the name on the back instead of the name on the front.
The ME fannyboys are just as bad as the traskers.
We don’t need you losers.
February 21st, 2024 at 11:25 am
Ethan Says: “I read on another Bucs site that Canales wanted to start Trask.”
I read that too is it tru?
February 21st, 2024 at 11:26 am
@Popcorn Mike…Mike Evans contract was not a franchise friendly, there were no “friendly” deals…Mike has risked nothing with his contracts and/or restructuring. It’s so misleading man. He’s taken guaranteed money as a way of restructuring, and he has lost ZERO dollars in doing so. The franchise actually took more risk with those guaranteed payouts then he did.
Mike wants to get paid like a mid-20-year-old top 5 WR…Mike is not top 5. He’s consistent, but not top 5.
February 21st, 2024 at 11:32 am
Capt.Tim Says:
February 21st, 2024 at 8:52 am
Trembling hands clutching a map of NFL cities.
Desperately trying to find a home for his hero
Basically what Mayfield was doing last off Season.
Take a Back Up job or Drop his pants and accept a base salary that was less
than guys like Heineke, Stidham, and Hoyer.
At least he has found the ability to keep his men happy.
February 21st, 2024 at 11:37 am
StormyInFl Says: “I’m sure the site saying Canales wanted to start Trask was credible……JoeTraskFan.com.”
Funny. However, many here have called JBF “JoeBakerFan” or words to that effect and in all honesty it’s hard to dispute that.
February 21st, 2024 at 11:41 am
If it is, Canales doesn’t want him as a starter.
Think about it: Canales was hired because of his ability to get QBs on the right track. David Tepper has a massive investment in Bryce Young. Hundreds of millions of dollars is on the line (that’s not an exaggeration). There is just no way Tepper would allow Trask to start the season over a healthy Young.
The Carolina situation isn’t like the Bucs dropped $4 million on Baker Mayfield last season. Far, far, far different.
If a healthy Young is blowing chunks later in the season, maybe a different story. Cannot imagine how much Tepper has invested in Young that he would be OK letting Trask start the season. That’s not why Canales was hired (and Canales’ hiring is part of the investment in Young).
February 21st, 2024 at 11:42 am
What was Evans previous contracts. I keep hearing he took team friendly deals. But I’m pretty sure he got paid.
February 21st, 2024 at 12:01 pm
@ Commander
When Mike Evans signed his last deal he was made the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL at @ $16.5M per season and $55M guaranteed money.
So – NO – Mike Evans didn’t give the Bucs any breaks and restructuring his deal helped the Bucs but it also gave him more guaranteed money so it was a win-win for both parties.
ME13 wanted a new contract last season because the “new normal” for wide receiver compensation is @ $20-$30M per season and he didn’t want to play for a paltry $16.5M.
Poor guy really got screwed only making $82.5 MILLION DOLLARS.
LOL!!!!!
February 21st, 2024 at 12:07 pm
Here is my new deal for Mike Evans – $30M per season but minus one million for every dropped pass.
How does that sound?
February 21st, 2024 at 12:19 pm
If Joe watched all but one of Young’s training camp practices in his first three seasons and saw what Joe has seen from Trask, yes Joe would.
You should watch the NFL Network documentary on Bill Walsh. Steve Young is on there quite a bit. Basically, Young got zero coaching with the Bucs. When he got to San Francisco and got coached, he exploded.
February 21st, 2024 at 12:19 pm
Ok Zoocomics, thats why I said I didn’t know the full aspect of those pass contracts. So if what you’re saying is fact then, I now understand some aspects of the negotiations. As I’ve said many times. I am not a GM I go by what I hear and read from other fans on this and several other sites
February 21st, 2024 at 12:26 pm
“I don’t want any fans that are bigger fans of the name on the back instead of the name on the front.
The ME fannyboys are just as bad as the traskers.
We don’t need you losers.”
That’s literally you with Baker Optimisticbucsfan. Projection projection, projection is all we get from Bakers boyfriends on this site. Baker would have been nothing without Mike Evans this past season. To equate the fans wanting the best offensive weapon in franchise history, coming off an all pro season, showing no signs of slowing down to come back to the fans that want Trask to start is one of the most ridiculous comments I’ve ever seen on this site which is saying something.
February 21st, 2024 at 12:57 pm
I like Marine’s idea……
dude would end up paying the bucs lol
February 21st, 2024 at 1:12 pm
I love how the caption says Darlington: Resign Baker Mayfield and TRADE mike Evans to the Chiefs. We can’t TRADE Evans lol. These are the guys you are taking Advice from?
February 21st, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Joe Says: “If it is, Canales doesn’t want him [Trask] as a starter.”
How do you know? You yourself assessed that Trask “outplayed” Baker in training camp, so it’s likely Canales made the same or at least a similar assessment, and Canales knows Bryce Young is likely a bust, so Canales may well see Trask as a starter, either right away as Young develops, or later when Young flops.
By the way, your assessment that Trask “outplayed” Mayfield in training camp lends credence to the claims that Canales wanted Trask to start. Could well be true.
February 21st, 2024 at 1:17 pm
Evans on the Chiefs would be so weird, not sure if he can handle that kind of pressure
AFC Championship game, drop or if a ball bounces off his hands in a Super Bowl and ends their season is a lot of pressure compared to a drop here in a mid market like Tampa where he will get a pass for his mistakes as fans are happy to have him here as a home grown talent
Being a hired gun in KC he will get no pass for the dropsies he has
February 21st, 2024 at 1:23 pm
Mike Evans had 7 drops last year which was less than WR’s like Tyreek, St. Brown, Davante, Puka, and Diggs. It was the same as WR’s like A.J Brown, Garrett Wilson, Amari Cooper, D.K, Tee Higgins and Kelce but yall continue to spew blasphemy
February 21st, 2024 at 2:28 pm
@ Dom
Let’s be real. Watch the game film. He had more than 7 dropped passes.
Regardless – with my new deal for ME13 he would have made $23M.
What’s wrong with that?
It really doesn’t matter because Evans is leaving anyway. Give me one valid reason why he would want to stay in Tampa over KC or Houston…
And please don’t give me the BS about “loyalty” to this franchise.
February 21st, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Marine Buc … I was right with you on your 5-step program. Now just add another 7 steps and the Bucs can give AA a run for their money.
February 21st, 2024 at 2:33 pm
Use your noggin. Canales was brought in because of his success working with QBs. You really believe David Tepper is going to piss away his mega investment in Bryce Young for a guy with zero starts? C’mon, man.
February 21st, 2024 at 2:38 pm
Dom Says:
February 21st, 2024 at 12:26 pm
That’s literally you with Baker Optimisticbucsfan. Projection projection, projection is all we get from Bakers boyfriends on this site. Baker would have been nothing without Mike Evans this past season.
—–
Lol You curse out OB over being Baker’d boyfriend while literally declaring you have rose and chocalate dreams about Mike Evans. Baker averaged 4,060 yarda 4 years out 6 and only one was with mike. deal with it. Its reality. Other reality – no matter how much you crush Evans is a RECEIVER
He doesn’t do squat unless the ball is thrown. Some of you Mike mesmerized lovers get to the point where you believe he actually throws the ball to himself.
Its widely reported tha Mike wants 30+ million. IF thats the case Mike is not worth it your crush nor withstanding.
February 21st, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Joe Says:
February 21st, 2024 at 2:33 pm
You really believe David Tepper is going to piss away his mega investment in Bryce Young for a guy with zero starts? C’mon, man.
—
Plus its been reported other ‘s wanted Stroud but it was Tepper that chose Young against advice . Its about more than monry . It s about Ego aand reputation. Bryce has made him look like a fool and Canales was hired to make Tepper look good again. Panthers are not even going to go with a bridge.
February 21st, 2024 at 3:02 pm
@MarineBuc
You’ll get no argument from me on any of those points. I think 23M-25M is a fair deal for Mike Evans. I didn’t make up the drops number though. That was from Fox Sports. Granted I know drops can be subjective so it could be plus or minus a few. But either way the point still stands that it’s not like he necessarily has a drop issue when he is dropping the ball at a rate lower or similar to other great WR’s. Fans on here are overblowing how much he drops the ball. The numbers don’t lie
February 21st, 2024 at 3:07 pm
Joe Says: “You really believe David Tepper is going to piss away his mega investment in Bryce Young for a guy with zero starts?”
No. Read what I wrote: “so Canales may well see Trask as a starter, EITHER RIGHT AWAY AS YOUNG DEVELOPS, or later when Young flops.” Faced with Young’s bad rookie season, sitting and developing a year or two is not pissing away anything. Aaron Rodgers sat for 3 seasons. And Bryce Young is no Aaron Rodgers (and never will be).
February 21st, 2024 at 3:08 pm
@ DR
Lol!
This team could certainly use an intervention.
Stop foolishly wasting huge amounts of salary cap and mortgaging the future.
February 21st, 2024 at 3:12 pm
@TonyMarks
Mike is a much better player than Baker is. Baker will get paid more obviously because he plays a more valuable and important position but Mike does his individual job much better than Baker does.
Everything I said was facts. Mike is the greatest Bucs offensive weapon. Name me a better one. Mike is coming off an All Pro season.
I’ve watched Mike be productive with Mike Glennon and Josh McCown. I seen him have his most productive seasons with Jameis Winston who can’t get a starting QB job. He just produced with a QB who was on his 4th team in a year. Baker clearly needs Mike more than Mike needs Baker. If Mike leaves he’s going to go to a contender and most likely an upgrade at QB.
Funny how you also just omit a third of Bakers career when coming up with these averages lmao. I don’t have to do that with Mike. 10 straight years of 1K seasons. Meanwhile Baker hasn’t been able to muster up two consecutive seasons in a row in the NFL.
Other than that you just made up stuff about my post lol. Where did I say he throws the ball to himself? I’m sorry the facts hurt your feelings. I can tell you ain’t a real Bucs fan the way you describe stating facts about Mike’s career as being “Mike mesmerized lovers”
February 21st, 2024 at 3:20 pm
Getting tagged? Top dollar for your position, right? If I were playing I’d hope they tagged me every year if they could.
February 21st, 2024 at 3:43 pm
@ Dom
Fair enough.
I still think ME13 is a top ten WR and would love to keep him but I only give it a 10% chance he re-signs with Tampa.
February 21st, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Total hogwash. Not everyone is a sellout. Mike Evans wants to round out his HOF career, not add money to his bank account. He has done so much for the community with his money so money is not his prime motivation. Does he want money as a sign of respect and as a thank you? Ofcourse. But, DeVante Adams isn’t sniffing the HOF yet, so no Mike Evans should not be compared to him.
February 21st, 2024 at 4:22 pm
Evans crush boys are in a huff that he’s going elsewhere.
Boo freaking hoo. Quit ya crying and buck up.
We have a QB for the future. I don’t care about the streak…I don’t care about best Bucs offensive weapon of all-time either. Those are emotional responses.
I want to win.
And the name on the front is more important than the name on the back.
February 21st, 2024 at 4:24 pm
KC traded Tyrek Hill because he was going to ask for 30 Million and really Hill brought much more to the KC offense that what Evans can do. What makes you guys think that KC is going to pay Evans a 30M contract when they would not do it with Hill a known and proven quantity. I just don’t see KC breaking the bank on Evans.
February 21st, 2024 at 4:26 pm
Mike Evans will be back once they bring back Baker and a few other pieces on the defense. He’ll probably be a little flexible with the contract. I just don’t see him walking away from the Bucs if both parties are a few million off given that he has chemistry with Baker and it would be easier to push this team further into the playoffs in a weak division than to take a new team into the playoffs. Continuity and familiarity are important factors as well as long as the Bucs don’t low ball him and piss him off. That won’t happen with Jason Licht.
February 21st, 2024 at 4:34 pm
@optimisticbucfan,
That whole “name on the front” argument is so dumb. You don’t have a “name on the front” without the “name on the back”. It’s as simple as that. We have been a loser franchise for a very long time while having a name on the front.
Who are you replacing Mike Evans with? You don’t move on until you have a competent replacement to fill those shoes. And if you replace him with Godwin, then who are you replacing Godwin’s position with? This team is still in win-now mode, not rebuilding mode.
February 21st, 2024 at 5:13 pm
@ BakerFan
T. Hill was a free agent. He wasn’t traded buddy.
KC tried to low-ball him and Miami’s offer was like $5M per year higher plus zero state income tax.
It was a no-brainer for T. Hill…
February 21st, 2024 at 5:18 pm
@ lambchop
Do you realize that Mike Evans lives in Galveston Texas @ 6 months out of the year?
That is his real home town.
About a 45 minute drive from Houston… If they offer him a decent deal he will probably take it.
The Bucs blew it by forcing him to play for only $16.5M last season.
The bridge has already been burnt.
February 21st, 2024 at 5:45 pm
Im with you rustyrino.Trask will get his chance in 2024.Baker or no Baker. He will get hurt at some point. Love what baker has done But sick of this Trask bashing. GO BUCS
February 21st, 2024 at 5:47 pm
Tyreek Hill was traded Marine Buc
Dolphins traded their 2022 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 2023 4th and 6th round pick. It was a haul. Got Trent McDuffie and Nick Bolton with those first two picks. If my memory is right I believe the Chiefs franchise tagged Hill and then traded him to the Dolphins. I believe that’s what Darlington is suggesting the Bucs do. A tag and trade.
If they do that they might as well rebuild imo. Just setting up Baker to fail and give you buyers remorse without Mike. If I’m Baker I wouldn’t even want to be back without Mike. I’d look to go to the Vikings, Falcons or Steelers at that point. They’d be better destinations at that point
February 21st, 2024 at 6:25 pm
Marine Buc Says:
February 21st, 2024 at 5:13 pm
@ BakerFan
T. Hill was a free agent. He wasn’t traded buddy.
WRONG…. Hill was traded to Miami for five draft picks — 2022 first-, second-, and fourth-round picks as well as 2023 fourth- and sixth-round picks — in the 2022 offseason.
Don’t come at me dude, that is the problem with Buc Fans, they live in a bubble.
February 21st, 2024 at 6:27 pm
@Marine Buc,
So what? Almost all players play outside of their hometown. This is not breaking news.
Burned their bridge? They tried to work something out, but with the Tom Brady debt, both sides knew it wasn’t going to happen last year. It was actually good that they got the conversation started though.
Don’t discount the fact that players who have played this long for a single team, would rather finish with that team. Mike is not chopped liver and neither is this Bucs team – they can still win together.
The band will be back together minus Shaq and Devin. Lavonte decides his future.
February 21st, 2024 at 6:35 pm
Also, if Mike felt disrespected by the Bucs, he could have taken it easy and under performed. He would have had an excuse to under perform with a new QB and a new OC and teams would still line up to sign him this off-season. But, there are other things that are important to Mike other than money. If Mike was a diva, I would consider him leaving a real possibility. This is his last NFL contract, so yes he’s dialed up the heat on Jason to get something respectable on the table.
Also, what guarantee is it that Mike performs the way he has here on another team? He’s too good not too, but there is always a chance it doesn’t work out. He wouldn’t be the first star to have a underwhelming career on another team.
February 21st, 2024 at 6:37 pm
Houston Texans have a whopping 75M in cap space…. ME13 will get a big, big, big offer from Texans…. Don’t see how the Bucs can compete with that. They can pay him top dollar and I really don’t see any down side for him going that route.
February 21st, 2024 at 6:54 pm
@Tony Marks,
That 30M+ is called negotiation. The only team that would say, “Ok, Mike whatever you want” is a losing team that’s desperate. Everyone will consider Mike’s age and negotiate. And Mike will not go to a loser team.
Even if we slightly overpay Mike, more than the Bucs normally would be comfortable with, given his age, the Bucs can give him a large signing bonus and prorate that into the contract length or even into voidable years. But, if the pieces are in place, Mike will concede some demands. Baker has already said as much when he said you have to sacrifice a little to keep a good thing going. I am only worried Mike’s agent will speak on Mike’s behalf and spoil the broth.
February 21st, 2024 at 7:02 pm
@BakerFan,
Rumors are that the 49ers will trade Brandon Aiyuk if they don’t reach a deal. I think Aiyuk will be sought after much more than an older Mike Evans. Just a hunch.
February 21st, 2024 at 7:51 pm
lambchop Says:
February 21st, 2024 at 7:02 pm
@BakerFan,
Rumors are that the 49ers will trade Brandon Aiyuk if they don’t reach a deal.
…..
At 25 his market is better than Evans. 49’ers used him in a lot of different ways and that dude is tough. He will be like a Tyreek Hill back in 2022, He will be traded for a bunch of draft choices so the Niners will find a replacement.
I am all for players getting the money but ME13 at 30M, I just don’t see it with any team
February 21st, 2024 at 9:57 pm
@TonyMarks
Mike is a much better player than Baker is.
—-
False. Common theory but logically bankrupt. Just about every QB inthe league is a better player than Evans because they have to do more than run and catch a ball in the air. What you mean to say is that Evans is a great at his position. Who said otherwise? I am not trashing Evans Just YOU ..lol
“Everything I said was facts. Mike is the greatest Bucs offensive weapon.”
And plain fact is Mike Is USELESS unless A QB puts the ball in a air where he can catch it. Thats a fact. Mike’s like a bulet and the Qb is the gun. Its just stupid to call a receiver an independent weapon.
“Funny how you also just omit a third of Bakers career when coming up with these averages lmao”
sure he was injured one year and he was with a bad organziation in his recovery year which is the worse in the league even with a new number one pick QB. Evans career isnt done yet so he may yet experience injury and then what woud happen to your screeching? Still nice duck and dodge but Stilll Your claim Baker can’t do it without mike was demonstrated to be a dufus take – considering those two thirds of his years.
“I’m sorry the facts hurt your feelings. I can tell you ain’t a real Bucs fan the way you describe stating facts about Mike’s career as being “Mike mesmerized lovers””
I’ve been here all season and one thng I can say for sure is – none of you at you have any hold on fandom. You barely know the NFl.
So Lol try somethng else. That one is old and tired and especially meaningless whilreyou kiss and caress mike while claiming other people are boyfriends with players. Lol I am not hurt . I’ve been laughing at you the entire time.
February 21st, 2024 at 10:07 pm
lambchop Says:
February 21st, 2024 at 6:54 pm
@Tony Marks,
That 30M+ is called negotiation.
___
Its a little bit more than that LC because it seems apparent they are far apart and Mike is committed to going to free eagency. I think he seriously wants to see if he can get close to that.
There is one team that might pay a bit moe than others. Its a play off team that didn’t have many options at WR but still made it to the playoffs.
Unfortunately its Evan’s home town team.
February 21st, 2024 at 11:02 pm
Tag ME for next year, then if he doesn’t want to negotiate let him free when he’s 32. It’s a business ME, nothing personal but Baker needs you next year.
BM and AW can get the longer contracts and void years. Meanwhile draft a new WR this year.
February 21st, 2024 at 11:38 pm
Joe – did you see Bryce Young play last year? He looked like hot garbage. The first read was often wrong and if wasn’t there he threw the ball into the dirt. Occasionally, he got out of the pocket and and made a play with his feet – but he’s not an explosive runner.
He’s an undersized meh QB who was the main reason they couldn’t score points last year.
If I’m Canales I’m thinking about getting a plan B at QB.
Having said that – there’s no chance Bucs trade Trask within the division. NONE. ZERO.
Trask isn’t getting traded unless its at the deadline and a team needs a QB because of injury and Mayfield is tearing it up.
This is a QB rich market – lots of names out there along with a strong QB draft. Nobody is going to try to get creative looking at getting a QB. There’s just too much low hanging fruit out there.
For Tampa, Trask makes a solid option if Baker goes elsewhere.
Stakes are different than last year. Coach coming off back to back division titles. If Tampa loses Evans and Baker in FA then you have focus on the draft and just roll with #2. Not to mention there are some very interesting names available at tailback as UFAs. Sign some defense.
There’s a lot of emerging talent on the roster – you get a big WR in the draft like Coleman or Thomas along with Godwin and Palmer you still got weapons – then you add a quality back to have a 1-2 punch with White and the Bucs will be AOK.
See I just don’t see how Evans and Mayfield come back to Tampa with the contracts they want. You can’t sign both. If Evans goes to Houston or somewhere else and you’re Baker Mayfield – maybe you start thinking contract first rather than coming back to Tampa. Baker has to get paid after betting on himself last season. No way he signs a discount deal. He was here for a year.
February 22nd, 2024 at 12:08 am
Yes, Young looked awful. And agree with you he’s a midget. But dang, he’s a rookie, a No. 1 pick. Unless he looks like Zach Wilson, no team is going to cut bait that quick on a No. 1 overall pick. Didn’t Vince Young get two years?
And hearing how David Tepper works, Joe is pretty confident that Canales doesn’t yet have the street cred with Tepper to bench Young. In fact, Joe is pretty sure the main reason Canales was hired was to turn Young around.
Tepper has significant money and draft collateral sunk into Young, not to mention the hundreds of millions Tepper will rake in if Canales turns him around. Wouldn’t surprise Joe if Tepper gives Young four full seasons to prove himself.
Every Bucs fan should get on their knees each night just before bedtime and thank the Father above that Nick Saban did such a good sales job on Tapper. LOL Otherwise, the Bucs would have to face C.J. Stroud twice a year for the next 15 years. Whew!
February 22nd, 2024 at 7:27 am
@lambchop – Players come and go all the time. I’m a BUCS fan first and foremost.
You evanslovers are annoying. I care about winning. I’m sorry you’re overly emotional about a WR. Sorry babe, it will be ok. Lay off the hallmark channel for a few weeks. SMDH.
He doesn’t have to retire as a Buc. That is meaningless. He shouldn’t get paid like a top 3 WR. Life will go on, I promise. Okay? Hugs?