In January, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed confidence that veteran broad 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 common supervisor Jason Licht now regrets not using the franchise tag to retain Evans’ providers.
Why Mike Evans felt now was the precise time to depart 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 depart the Buccaneers and signal a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers. In line with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal is value 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 an additional 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 degree,” agent Deryk Gilmore mentioned about Evans’ resolution in an announcement shared by Garafolo.
“…Mike Evans’ resolution to depart Tampa was by no means about cash. The Buccaneers had been extraordinarily aggressive of their pursuit and introduced a really sturdy supply, demonstrating how a lot they worth him and every little thing he has meant to the franchise. In the long run, this resolution merely got here right down to Mike wanting a brand new problem and a recent alternative whereas he nonetheless feels he has an important deal left to offer the sport.”
The Buccaneers later confirmed that Evans plans to formally go away the crew after the brand new league yr opens at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
