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After guiding the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a considerably sudden playoff berth in 2023, extensive receiver Mike Evans and quarterback Baker Mayfield could possibly be “a bundle deal” this offseason.
Throughout an look on Sunday’s episode of “SportsCenter,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Tampa Bay goals to re-sign Evans “in a serious method.” Moreover, Fowler notes that Evans’ contract scenario will straight influence Mayfield’s free-agency course of. Whereas it is doable that each might signal elsewhere, the Bucs intend to retain them each.
“The Bucs try to re-sign [Evans] in a serious method,” Fowler mentioned through On3.com. “They’ve had preliminary talks, Mike Evans needs to retire a Buccaneer however I’m informed he’s additionally prepared, a minimum of open to, the potential for going to the open market as a result of he would have an enormous market. The Bucs now they gotta pay him effectively over $20 million per yr … His sport has not fallen off.
“And Baker Mayfield as he’s making an attempt to resign with the Bucs,” Fowler continued. “He’s watching Mike Evans’ deal intently. It could possibly be type of a bundle deal. They might each go their separate methods. Lots might occur, however the staff is making an attempt to maintain them collectively.”
Evans and Mayfield are simply two of the a number of key contributors for the Buccaneers, who’ve the Tenth-most projected cap area ($43.7M) this offseason and should determine whether or not to carry onto it. Based on Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Instances, All-Professional security Antoine Winfield Jr. is predicted to be the franchise tag recipient for the Buccaneers, which means Mayfield and Evans will likely be free to barter with different groups this offseason.
Contemplating how the pass-catcher and signal-caller carried out this previous season, loads of suitors must be vying for his or her companies. Pro Football Focus tasks Evans to signal a three-year, $69M extension in free company, whereas Mayfield is predicted to earn a three-year, $90M deal.
Evans continued to show he is a mannequin of consistency in 2023, extending his NFL document to 10 consecutive seasons with a minimum of 1,000 receiving yards to begin a profession. In the meantime, Mayfield resurrected his profession with the Buccaneers, his fourth staff since July 2022, because the successor to Tom Brady. Not solely did Mayfield’s 2023 season outperform Brady’s 2022 effort, however he additionally set profession highs in completion charge (64.3%), passing yards (4,044), and touchdowns (28).
Even so, since each Evans and Mayfield have expressed a want to stay in Tampa Bay, the staff must be in a comparatively robust place to achieve agreements with them.
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