Five-Time Pro Bowl Wide Receiver Returning to Tampa Bay
In the ten seasons, he has been a wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there is no doubt that Mike Evans has been a crucial piece of their offense day in and day out. After having seven 1,000+ receiving yard seasons, he did it again for an eighth time in 2021. The only difference at that time was that he, alongside quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski, led the franchise to an NFL Championship in Super Bowl LV, the franchise’s first since 2003. While Brady and Gronkowski have since retired from their amazing careers, Evans is still going strong as he has continued to have two more 1,000+ receiving yard seasons since. In the 2023 NFL season at age 30, the five-time Pro Bowl receiver (2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) had his third-best receiving season of all time finishing with 79 receptions for 1,255 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in his 17 games played in the regular season.
From 2011-2013, Mike Evans played college football for Texas A&M University, before forgoing his remaining years of eligibility to declare for the 2014 NFL Draft. Evans redshirted his first year with the program in 2011 but in 2012 he came to play on a mission, having 82 receptions for 1,105 receiving yards and five touchdowns. That wasn’t enough for Evans who came back to Texas A&M in 2013 and had another incredible season finishing the year with 69 receptions for 1,394 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He still holds the Texas A&M record for most receiving yards in a single season, with his 1,394 in the 2013 season, and most receiving yards in a single game, with the 287 yards he had against Auburn in 2014. It’s without question that Evans, alongside quarterback “Johnny Football” Manziel not only was a huge part of the Aggies offense at the time, but quite literally was their offense.
Evans's incredible play on the football field has always translated to the next level. Whether it be his days in an Aggies uniform or his days in a Tampa Bay jersey, he has continued to fight for his team day in and day out. However, with the fact that the Buccaneers' NFL title-contending days might be over at least for a little bit, many have been questioning whether his future remains with the organization. This offseason, being the first time he has been a free agent since his Super Bowl LV win in 2021, the time finally came for everyone to find out where Evans would take his talents. Everyone found out this morning that he will not be taking his talents anywhere else but Tampa as it was announced he is returning to the Buccaneers organization on a two-year, $52 million deal that includes $35 million guaranteed. Evans, who was projected to be one of the top, if not the top free agent wide receiver available this offseason ends any speculation of him leaving Florida with this move.
