It’s no surprise, but Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is expected to test free agency this offseason.
Despite turning 31 years old later this year, Evans is expected to have a robust market, and with good reason after he put up some of the best numbers of his career last year in his 10th NFL season.
The Bucs still want to keep Evans, and it seems like he’d prefer to finish his career in Tampa Bay, but which teams could be the biggest threats to outbid the Bucs for his services on the open market?
Evans’ agent recently outlined the things his client is looking for in a potential suitor, including an elite quarterback, the chance to win a Super Bowl, and plenty of money.
The Houston Texans check all of those boxes, and have the added appeal of being close to Evans’ hometown of Galveston, Texas. But NFL insider Aaron Wilson, who is particularly plugged into the Texans, doesn’t expect Houston to make a push for Evans’ services this offseason:
INDIANAPOLIS — #NFL sources: #Buccaneers star Mike Evans’ ultra-expensive market in free agency is not expected to include #Texans @KPRC2 https://t.co/IFmbTXgYDn
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 2, 2024
If the Texans aren’t in play, the Kansas City Chiefs would also make plenty of sense. They obviously check the QB and Super Bowl boxes, but paying Evans what he’s worth might require them to let go of one of their key defensive free agents like Chris Jones or L’Jarius Sneed.
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington recently made the case that Evans in the Kansas City offense would make a bigger impact than keeping Jones on the other side of the ball:
“I would rather Mike Evans in this offense than Chris Jones on this defense.”
👀 @JeffDarlington on the Chiefs pic.twitter.com/GVRhx6ofiL
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) February 20, 2024
The Chiefs might disagree with Darlington, considering they just won back-to-back Super Bowls with both Jones and Sneed on defense, and without a superstar receiver on the offense after trading away Tyreek Hill.
It’s obviously possible that other teams could emerge to pursue Evans when free agency kicks off, but how many of them will be able to give him everything he’s looking for in a new team?
If that doesn’t happen, it would still make the most sense for Evans to return to Tampa Bay to finish his career where it started, especially if Baker Mayfield is back on a new contract of his own.
