Mike Evans strikes a deal to stay with the Buccaneers

Evans has played all 10 seasons in the NFL with the Buccaneers, reaching at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of them — a streak achieved by no other NFL receiver in the first 10 years of his career, not even Jerry Rice. 

Evans has also hauled in 94 regular-season touchdown passes, so he has a good chance to become the 11th member of the NFL's 100-touchdown reception club this season.  Notably, he also has the chance to reach 100 TDs receiving with one team. 

Evans — who will likely be in the market for a smaller deal when this contract finishes, as he will be heading into his age-33 season — is likely to be a career Buccaneer. It would be a fitting outcome for a longtime team captain and one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Tampa Bay's retention of Evans before free agency kicks off March 13 also makes it a more attractive destination for quarterbacks, most notably incumbent starter Baker Mayfield, who will hit unrestricted free agency after playing last season on a one-year deal.

Wide receiver Chris Godwin is still under contract as well, so Mayfield could stick around and keep throwing to the star duo that led him to a resurgent 2023 season.

If Mayfield chases a bigger payday elsewhere, the door would be open for a free agent or even a rookie passer to play with one of the NFL's best receiver pairs.