Mike Evans re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before he was even able to test the free-agent market earlier this month, a testament to his loyalty to the franchise.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht raved about Evans during a recent appearance on NFL Network, praising his unselfishness and his demeanor as a whole.
“It’s because he’s the most selfless player that I’ve ever been around,” Licht said, via Eric Edholm of NFL media. “He’s one of the most humble superstars. … He’s all about team. There’s not a single person in that locker room that doesn’t respect him, not a single person in this building that doesn’t respect him. He knows everybody, he treats everybody the same, he treats everybody with respect and all he wants to do is win. I couldn’t draw up a better teammate than Mike Evans, which is why this became very emotional in the thought of losing him would be very detrimental to this organization.”
Evans, who played his collegiate football at Texas A&M, was selected by Tampa Bay with the seventh overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
He has spent his entire career with the Bucs and has logged 1,000 yards in all 10 of his NFL campaigns, setting a league record.
“I’m glad we don’t know what … would have happened if we didn’t sign him before free agency started, I just know that I had a few cocktails after we got that one done,” added Licht.
Licht went on to say that Evans still has plenty left in the tank despite being on the wrong side of 30.
“(Evans) did not slow down at all,” Licht said of Evans’ 2023 season. “He had one of his best years. Of course, we look at all the GPS and all those things, and he was one of the fastest years that he’s had. It’s a tribute to his training. He’s working extremely hard. As he’s gotten up there in age, and as he’s put years, logged years in, he’s worked harder and harder in the offseason, and he’s a freak worker right now.”
This past year, Evans hauled in 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns en route to his fifth Pro Bowl nod. He also earned a Second-Team All-Pro selection.
Licht added that Evans is “still in his prime very much so.”
There were some that were concerned about a potential drop-off from Evans over the next couple of seasons, but Licht is right: he doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of slowing down.
We’ll see what Mike Evans has in store for the Buccaneers next season.
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