“I Like Those New Wrinkles”

August 11th, 2025

Mike Evans

Mike Evans seems to know something a lot of fans don’t. And he let a squirt of the toothpaste out of the tube.

Like every good receiver known to planet earth, Evans wants the rock, though he won’t cry and pout if he doesn’t get it.

This season, Evans expects more targets.

That was his message to Kay Adams of FanDuel TV. Evans, filled with smiles and giggles during his Adams sitdown, made it clear that the Bucs change to Josh Grizzard at offensive coordinator suits him.

“It’s basically the same offense but with his new wrinkles, and I like those new wrinkles,” Evans said of Grizzard.

Adams fired back and asked what those new wrinkles will do. “Potentially get me the ball a little bit more, yeah,” Evans said with a smile in his voice.

So last year Evans averaged 7.85 targets per game played. That was down from 8.0 targets per game with Dave Canales in 2023, and 8.46 with Byron Leftwich in 2022.

Evans averaged a shade under 7.0 targets per game during the 2020 and 2021 seasons after 9.07 targets per game in 2019, the first year of Bucco Bruce Arians with Jameis Winston at quarterback.

Evans, Todd Bowles and the Bucs’ data gurus should know that less than 8.5 targets per game for Evans (when he’s available) will make it hard for Evans to reach the 1,000-yard plateau everyone at One Buc Palace wants him to acheive. That would set the all-time record of 12 consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards.

Evans already said he wants to break the record early, as in not close to Week 18.

Joe thinks the Bucs need to make sure Evans gets plenty of touches and yards early. That’ll take lots of pressure off a rookie playcaller, spare Evans from distractions, and get the damn record out of Baker Mayfield’s head in potentially critical late-season games.

15 Responses to ““I Like Those New Wrinkles””

  1. Aqualung Says:

    I like anything Mikey likes.

    Oh and he likes Baker Mayfield. A lot.

  2. OR Buc Says:

    Yes please

  3. BigPoppaBuc Says:

    There’s a vibe coming from ME13 right now. I like it. I think he knows he can cement himself as one the goats of the position and he’s got the supporting cast to do it. A great season and another Superbowl and he’s a sure fire first ballad HOFer.

  4. Kenton Smith Says:

    Just look at Mike Evans grinning. Has anyone else noticed that every Buc she interviewed the other day had that same look? Keep Kay Adams away from our team on GameDays! No, make that Game Week! We’ve got some football to focus on!

  5. Aqualung Says:

    Kenton, as you are a loyal Bucs fan, it should be your duty to volunteer to intervene as Bucs players’ consiglieri when she shows up to interview players. For the good of the team. You are a loyal fan, it’s the least you can do!

  6. Kenton Smith Says:

    That’s funny you say that Aqualung. I was thinking the same thing exactly!!

  7. Aqualung Says:

    *and I will happily carry your briefcase to the interviews.

  8. The Southest Buc Says:

    Totally agree… good things happen when you put the ball in good hands

  9. heyjude Says:

    Loving Mike’s big grin and wrinkles. Yes, feed him the ball more!

  10. Hodad Says:

    From what I could gleam from the first preseason game, more play action, more deep shots. Mike being on the end of those deep shots.

  11. Famu_Rattler Says:

    Maybe one of the wrinkles is ME13 in screen passes. I can not recall ME13 ever in a screen pass. one a game to help increase his yardage.

  12. BucYou Says:

    I don’t recall ever seeing Big Mike this giddy before a season. I’m wondering if Team Glazer pulled him aside this offseason, and said forget about your contract, we’re going to make you a Buc for life, and have already outlined everything that he’ll receive post playing career. He’s giving the vibe that he’s got the next several steps secured. If that’s true, I for one, like many of us, am all for it. Play until you’re ready to hang it up for good, and then move into media, coaching, or front office immediately afterwards.

  13. Lord Cornelius Says:

    LFG. No one is hyping him in the fantasy community prob because of age and I won’t be surprised if he has the best year of his career so I’m going after him and hoping those hammy’s hold up lol

  14. Esteban85 Says:

    Man I am praying he gets that 1,000 yards early. I don’t like that being a thing the last few games. Mike sure deserves the ball early in games, make it a thing that teams have to game plan for then throw in the change up and keep ‘em on their toes

  15. mj Says:

    the wrinkle is the bomb, the long ball was absent last year

 

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