It looks like one of the most consistent and dominant receivers of the last decade will hit the open market at the perfect time for the New York Jets to make a move.
Mike Evans, the leading receiver in Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise history, is expected to hit free agency in a couple of weeks according to Athletic NFL Reporter Diana Russini. While Russini noted that Evans could return to the team that drafted him in 2014, he "plans on hearing from all teams before making a decision."
Evans has been a model of consistency at the receiver position for close to a decade now. He has recorded 1,000 yards receiving in every year he's been in the league - and NFL record, while being honored for the Pro Bowl five times.
He led the league in touchdown receptions in 2023 (13), while leading the Bucs to a third straight NFC South title.
In short, the Jets should be doing everything in their power to get the future Hall-of-Fame receiver into their building for the long haul.
According to the salary cap website, Spotrac, Evans could command an annual salary of over $23 million per year with a contract projection of four years and $94 million total.
The money may seem like a lot to a team like New York, but the Jets are in a unique position to match the high contract demands of a perennial Pro Bowl player like Evans. Gang Green has over $22 million in cap space according to Spotrac, with plenty of ways to increase their space to over $50 million.
Contract restructures to players like linebacker C.J. Mosley, defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and others could give the Jets enough room to give Evans the highest offer of any organization in the league.
A top deal may not be all that is needed to acquire a player of Evans' caliber, though. New York may have a four-time NFL MVP at quarterback with Aaron Rodgers, but the receiver's connections to his time in Tampa Bay could be a thorn in the Jets' side.
New York has been in the market for a top receiver for quite some time. During the 2022 offseason, the Jets were finalists for a trade with Kansas City Chiefs wideout Tyreek Hill...before the speedster used them to improve an offer from the Miami Dolphins.
While the Jets were used to increase a contract extension offer for Hill, they are in a much different spot with a player like Evans. With plenty of cap flexibility and one of the most talented quarterbacks of all time, they will have plenty of opportunity to bring one of the best receivers to Florham Park once the legal tampering period begins in a few weeks.
More must-reads: