‘Rebuilding?’: Buccaneers WR Mike Evans prefers winning games

Legendary QB Tom Brady is gone, but star WR Mike Evans doesn't plan on throwing in the towel.

"Rebuilding? We're just trying to win right now. I don't know why people don't see that," Evans told ESPN. "Win the division, after that people can take care of themselves."

Tampa Bay has been under heavy scrutiny since Brady's retirement, a narrative Evans has seemingly become sick of this offseason. Bleacher Report even identified the Buccaneers as a team that "should consider tanking" to draft USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams.

"An actual draft investment is a far more rational approach to addressing the [QB] position than hoping [Baker] Mayfield will recapture his earlier magic (or [Kyle] Trask outperforms his draft status)," the article reads.

Evans, who helped the Bucs reach the playoffs the past three seasons, has good reason for being frustrated with the slander. Despite the questionable QB situation, which remains under close inspection leading up to the season, Tampa Bay is still a very solid team that is extremely capable of winning the weak NFC South — which the team did last year at 8-9.

With star WR duo Evans and Chris Godwin; new offensive coordinator Dave Canales; and a Pro Bowl-studded defense featuring DT Vita Vea, LB Devin White and LB Lavonte David, the Bucs have all the pieces except one. To throw away that much talent in a tanking season would be a waste, especially as players get older and shop for new contracts.