Mike Evans Reworking Contract To Free Cap Space
August 31st, 2021
New contract on the way?
This is another reason why so many Bucs stuck around after winning a Super Bowl. The Bucs have so many unselfish guys.
Take Mike Evans. The guy is a top-five receiver and never, ever do you hear him kvetch at all (unless someone is getting handsy with him running routes). And that selflessness comes through when it is payday.
Once again, Evans is reworking his contract, per Jeremy Fowler of BSPN, to help the Bucs free up cap space.
Bucs are working on a contract restructure for star receiver Mike Evans, per source. This will be a simple restructure to give Tampa Bay more cap space for Super Bowl repeat efforts.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 31, 2021
It wasn’t like the Bucs were over the cap. They just didn’t have much leeway. Per OverTheCap.com, the Bucs’ cap space is south of $200,000, lowest in the league.
So Joe wonders why exactly Evans is helping the Bucs free up cap space when almost assuredly the cap will go up next year? Is this to help the Bucs load up with Team Glazer loot in order to sign Chris Godwin to an extension?
August 31st, 2021 at 12:09 am
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August 31st, 2021 at 12:10 am
Mike does this every year. Love ya brah. It’s a great way to spread your wealth.
August 31st, 2021 at 12:12 am
Why wouldn’t Evans help? It’s not like he’s losing any actual cash – and in most cases I believe they end up paying him more up front in terms of a guarantee. But I highly doubt he’s taking less money, he’s just moving around the terms of the contract. BUT, from the Bucs standpoint, you only do that with a guy you know will be here a long time since these moves free up money now, but will be dead cap down the road if you got rid of the player.
August 31st, 2021 at 12:19 am
Godwin is a stud, gotta keep him around. Thanks for helping with that Mike! You’re an awesome teammate
August 31st, 2021 at 12:27 am
Walter
That’s exactly what Mike said.
August 31st, 2021 at 12:37 am
There’s no way Evans would be traded or released. He’s by very far best WR in franchise history. Bucs will not him retire anywhere but Tampa. But that’s way down the road obviously.A he’d probably take a cut so that can happen.
August 31st, 2021 at 1:33 am
its hard to imagine its godwin, cuz how much can this realistically free up? im guessing its going to be for someone to help us now.
August 31st, 2021 at 1:41 am
Have to say I didn’t expect this, but Joe fell into a classic trap. This trope of players restructuring their contracts as “unselfish” has been debunked more often than a MCOJ post by you know who. Any player in their right mind should be willing to back up the Brinks truck for their millions today instead of waiting for tomorrow!
By restructuring their contract in a given year, a player is accepting their base salary (or a portion of) in the form of a guaranteed bonus payment now. This is especially advantageous for a player with non-guaranteed base money as well. Tho I’m not fully aware of Evans’ contract details.
Restructuring if anything is more of a team recognizing the opportunity to trust said player with their multi-millions now while spreading the cap hit out over the rest of the life of the contract. But if you gamble and lose to an injury or worse down the line, you go further into salary cap jail with a player you can’t get value out of anymore. Yikes!
Now ME13 is a pillar of this team; he ain’t going no where and he’s a stud, so the risk is minimized. If anything, his seemingly yearly restructures are a testament to his longevity and consistent performance than his unselfishness. Those traits are what the Bucs truly are rewarding Evans for the privilege!
August 31st, 2021 at 2:15 am
He looks leaner and stronger. He is going to have a monster season. He is even turning up the field more aggressively after he catches the ball. It looks like he learned that from AB because it mimicked AB’s movements
August 31st, 2021 at 4:37 am
Leighroy said it well and is correct.
August 31st, 2021 at 6:02 am
Extremely well said Leighroy. Mike has restructured multiple times now in recent years, and each time it’s worked to both his and the Bucs’ advantage. That’s a win-win IMO. In reality he’s just about the only Buc I’d do that for because the amount of his contract makes it worthwhile AND because of the risk involved in kicking the can down the street. Fully expect ME13 to one day retire as a Buc.
August 31st, 2021 at 6:24 am
We’re FINE. But if Suh, etc, breaks a leg, gotta have cap space alREADY in place
August 31st, 2021 at 6:26 am
The bucs are a business
Dont forget. They didnt let derrick , sapp or lynch retire bucs
But this is a smart move. For the most part, evans has been not missed to many games. And that is why he had 7 straight 1000 seasons. And he comes every year in great shape. He says this may be year of best conditioning in career.
So you cannot do this with everyone
Mike you can
And what a great teammate and leader
Got my proud mike evans jersey at home. And not really a jersey kind of guy
August 31st, 2021 at 6:42 am
I will 2nd that… Well said… Leighroy Says:
August 31st, 2021 at 1:41 am
Now ME13 is a pillar of this team; he ain’t going no where and he’s a stud, so the risk is minimized. If anything, his seemingly yearly restructures are a testament to his longevity and consistent performance than his unselfishness. Those traits are what the Bucs truly are rewarding Evans for the privilege!
August 31st, 2021 at 7:04 am
I think you are missing the obvious. As said above, an ME restructure can’t provide enough cap space to do a long term deal for Godwin. This is to give the team flexibility to pick up a vet from another team after cuts are made.
The Bucs just keep getting better! NOW, what position might that be??? I’m going with CBs; get a little more depth there. Unless of course an OT shockingly becomes available, but no way that happens…
Man, this is cool that we are so deep I can’t think of a position that needs fortification!!!
August 31st, 2021 at 7:11 am
Mike Evans is our guy and I love his play off the field, his contributions off of it, and his leadership by example/lack of ego- and understands that adjusting his salary payout helps the Bucs remain strong by retaining and paying his teammate.
Extend Godwin, and be on the lookout for airing up depth with other team’s last minute cuts. Need to sure up special teams and would love another vet DB.
August 31st, 2021 at 7:26 am
Mike Evans has developed into a consummate professional.
August 31st, 2021 at 7:43 am
He isn’t losing money in this AT ALL. Why the praise as if he’s giving any back? Good for him to take time out of his day to go sign some paperwork, but he is still getting his. And he deserves every penny.
August 31st, 2021 at 7:47 am
How exactly is taking your pay as a signing bonus helping the team out? It’s not like he’s getting less money he’s just taking it in one lump sum and spreading the cap hit over the 3 years remaining on his deal
August 31st, 2021 at 7:50 am
They are taking less money, Brady included. The Brady Model is to take less than market value but only if you are with a team that will use the extra money to stock the talent for winning. The player needs to market themselves to make more from product sales and licensing, etc. Patriots did it. Bucs are doing it.
It takes the right chemistry with the right teams and players.
August 31st, 2021 at 8:23 am
Perhaps this money is to give us the option to pick up a FA from a roster cut.
August 31st, 2021 at 8:28 am
It surprised me a little that they released Hagan. Either they are sure that Whitehead is good to go, or they have their eye on a free agent safety.
August 31st, 2021 at 8:31 am
Don’t be surprised if Rojo signs an extension. after kinda seeing what they have in Keshawn Vaugn, there are no other RBs under contract for next year, you don’t take a chance on Lenny who nay have reached his ceiling and for also not letting Rojo reach 1k, why not extend him.
August 31st, 2021 at 8:43 am
I hate contract articles because as much as I enjoy the sport, the money is completely beyond reason. Player salaries, coaching salaries, stadium costs… it all gets absorbed into the price of adverting and passed on to consumers.
August 31st, 2021 at 9:10 am
@Leighroy could be right and/or the “unselfish” proclaimers could be right.
Ultimately, it could be both but we don’t know without the full details which may or may not ever come to light.
Regardless, we are all very, very lucky to have M1K3 on our team!!!
August 31st, 2021 at 9:39 am
Have to be able to pounce on a fournette type player like they did last season also added brown
August 31st, 2021 at 9:40 am
This is what Brady has always done and look what it’s done for him. Now that Mike has a world class qb doing this makes evan more sense, because like it’s been said it’s a win win for him and the team. Evans retiring a Buc??? The greatest Bucs of all time weren’t allowed to so it’s not a safe bet he will either.
August 31st, 2021 at 9:55 am
I like the Godwin theory. Mike and Chris are tight, and ME is the type of guy to go all in for his brothers. Selfless indeed. Sure hope Joe’s right.