In January, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed confidence that veteran vast receiver Mike Evans would re-sign with a Buccaneers crew that had been Evans’ solely NFL employer because the membership made him the seventh general choose of the 2014 draft.
One wonders if Buccaneers normal supervisor Jason Licht now regrets not using the franchise tag to retain Evans’ companies.
Why Mike Evans felt now was the appropriate time to go away Buccaneers
Hours after the “authorized tampering” portion of free company acquired underway on Monday afternoon, NFL Community insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo confirmed that Evans plans to go away the Buccaneers and signal a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. In response to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is price as much as $60.4M.
“At this stage of his profession, Mike’s targets stay the identical as they’ve at all times been — to compete for one more Tremendous Bowl, to play in an offensive system that challenges defenses, and to be in an atmosphere the place he can proceed to push himself and contribute on the highest stage,” agent Deryk Gilmore stated about Evans’ choice in a press release shared by Garafolo.
“…Mike Evans’ choice to go away Tampa was by no means about cash. The Buccaneers have been extraordinarily aggressive of their pursuit and introduced a really sturdy provide, demonstrating how a lot they worth him and all the things he has meant to the franchise. Ultimately, this choice merely got here all the way down to Mike wanting a brand new problem and a recent alternative whereas he nonetheless feels he has an amazing deal left to provide the sport.”
The Buccaneers later confirmed that Evans plans to formally go away the crew after the brand new league 12 months opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
