Baker Mayfield is headed for free agency, but the biggest piece of Tampa Bay’s passing game is already in place. Rather than considering offers from other teams, Mike Evans has re-signed with the team.
Per reports, it’s a two-year deal worth $41 million. With Evans being 30, it should be the last big payday of his career.
Evans was one of the three headliner receivers headed for free agency, along with Tee Higgins and Michael Pittman. But all three are off the market (with Higgins and Pittman getting tagged). Now, those looking at free agent pass catchers are left looking at Calvin Ridley, Hollywood Brown, Gabe Davis, Curtis Samuel and Darnell Mooney. Mike Williams likely will be released by the Chargers, joining that group.
Evans has gone over 1,000 yards in each of his 10 pro seasons. Whether the Bucs have Mayfield or someone else at quarterback, Evans likely will lead them in touchdown catches. He’s their best downfield threat, and he’s been able to effectively use his 6-foot-5 height in the red zone. He caught 13 of their 28 touchdown passes last year.
Over the last three years, Evans has scored touchdowns on 14 percent of his receptions. That’s the most of any of the 41 wide receivers who’ve caught at least 150 passes since 2021. Tampa Bay has another capable pass catcher, Chris Godwin, but he ranks last in that group. (Godwin caught only 2 TDs last year.)
| TOUCHDOWN PERCENTAGE (last 3 yrs) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Rec | TD | Pct |
| Mike Evans, T.B. | 230 | 33 | 14.3% |
| DK Metcalf, Sea. | 231 | 26 | 11.3% |
| JaMarr Chase, Cin. | 268 | 29 | 10.8% |
| Davante Adams, G.B.-L.V. | 326 | 33 | 10.1% |
| Amari Cooper, Dall.-Cle. | 218 | 22 | 10.1% |
| DeAndre Hopkins, Ari.-Ten. | 181 | 18 | 9.9% |
| Cooper Kupp, LAR | 279 | 27 | 9.7% |
| Brandon Aiyuk, S.F. | 209 | 20 | 9.6% |
| K.J. Osborn, Min. | 158 | 15 | 9.5% |
| Tee Higgins, Cin. | 190 | 18 | 9.5% |
| Tyler Lockett, Sea. | 236 | 22 | 9.3% |
| Stefon Diggs, Buff. | 318 | 29 | 9.1% |
| A.J. Brown, Ten.-Phi. | 257 | 23 | 8.9% |
| Mike Williams, LAC | 158 | 14 | 8.9% |
| Brandin Cooks, Hou.-Dall. | 201 | 17 | 8.5% |
| CeeDee Lamb, Dall. | 321 | 27 | 8.4% |
| Adam Thielen, Min.-Car. | 240 | 20 | 8.3% |
| Tyreek Hill, K.C.-Mia. | 349 | 29 | 8.3% |
| DeVonta Smith, Phil. | 240 | 19 | 7.9% |
| Deebo Samuel, S.F. | 193 | 15 | 7.8% |
| Courtland Sutton, Den. | 181 | 14 | 7.7% |
| Justin Jefferson, Min. | 304 | 23 | 7.6% |
| DJ Moore, Car.-Chi. | 252 | 19 | 7.5% |
| Christian Kirk, Ari.-Jac. | 218 | 16 | 7.3% |
| Nico Collins, Hou. | 150 | 11 | 7.3% |
| Jakobi Meyers, N.E.-L.V. | 221 | 16 | 7.2% |
| Jaylen Waddle, Mia. | 251 | 18 | 7.2% |
| Hunter Renfrow, L.V. | 164 | 11 | 6.7% |
| Amon-Ra St. Brown, Det. | 315 | 21 | 6.7% |
| Tyler Boyd, Cin. | 192 | 12 | 6.3% |
| Marquise Brown, Bal.-Ari. | 209 | 13 | 6.2% |
| Keenan Allen, LAC | 280 | 17 | 6.1% |
| Terry McLaurin, Was. | 233 | 14 | 6.0% |
| Chris Olave, N.O. | 159 | 9 | 5.7% |
| Diontae Johnson, Pitt. | 244 | 13 | 5.3% |
| Jerry Jeudy, Den. | 159 | 8 | 5.0% |
| Zay Jones, L.V.-Jac. | 163 | 8 | 4.9% |
| Michael Pittman, Ind. | 296 | 14 | 4.7% |
| Darnell Mooney, Chi. | 152 | 7 | 4.6% |
| Garrett Wilson, NYJ | 178 | 7 | 3.9% |
| Chris Godwin, T.B. | 285 | 10 | 3.5% |
—Ian Allan