Buccaneers have huge Mike Evans decision looming originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter the offseason with a new offensive coordinator after Zac Robinson was hired.
The former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator joins the Bucs, and the wealth of weapons Baker Mayfield has at his disposal.
But Baker might have one less, depending on how the offseason goes.
Mike Evans is a free agent, and we aren’t sure if No. 13 will continue on or retire.
For ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, money will be a big factor in how this plays out.
“The player Evans’ camp will try to link the star wideout to is Davante Adams, who hit free agency after a frustrating age-32 season and landed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Rams, including $26 million guaranteed at signing,” Barnwell writes. “Would the Bucs agree to that sort of deal?
“Evans is a franchise legend, though, and the rules can be different when those types of players are involved. It would surprising if he played somewhere else in 2026.”
More:Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield gives NFL perfect Week 1 setup with Stefanski’s Falcons
Bucs have to be smart with Evans
Is it worth it for the Buccaneers to give Evans Davante Adams-type money? I don’t think so.
But also, the franchise can’t lowball one of the organization’s best-ever players, either.
So, they have to be smart.
If Evans does want to return, maybe a one-year, $15 million deal could suffice. After all, Tampa Bay has a lot of other free agency needs as well.
It will all boil down to whether Evans wants to play. If he doesn’t, all of this is moot.
Either way, the Buccaneers have a decision to make on Evans, and it’s one they can’t get wrong.
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