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Why did the Bucs make a decision to make Baker Mayfield the starter?
Jenna Laine explains how the Buccaneers made the verdict to call Baker Mayfield the starter for Week 1 in opposition to the Vikings.
TAMPA, Florida — 4-time Professional Bowl huge receiver and group captain Mike Evans has met a one-week cut-off date to obtain a brand new contract from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, together with his illustration indicating that Evans may well be signed someday in 2024. Will imagine enjoying extra if the deal does not undergo.
Evans’ illustration, Day 1 Sports activities & Leisure, stated in a liberate Friday that the huge receiver “needs the following section of his profession with a company that desires him and desires him to lend a hand win the Tremendous Bowl.” “
“This is the reason we’ve got knowledgeable the Buccaneers group that we will be able to stop contract discussions as of September 9, 2023,” the company stated.
The Buccaneers started the common season on September 10 on the Minnesota Vikings.
“I need to be in camp and observe to lend a hand Baker (Mayfield) get in a position so we will win this 12 months,” Evans stated in a remark. “I do not need to grasp again and harm our group.”
Evans is coming into the overall season of a five-year, $82.5 million extension that he signed in March 2018. His base wage will likely be $13 million and he gained a $1.5 million roster bonus in March. His present deal contains 3 void years from 2024 to 2026.
Evans’ agent, Derrick Gilmore, stated the Buccaneers didn’t need to pay greater than $20 million consistent with 12 months for the 2 receivers. Fellow Professional Bowl huge receiver Chris Godwin is coming into the second one season of a three-year, $60 million handle $40 million assured.
Day 1 stated in its liberate that Evans has no longer gained any new gives to stick in Tampa Bay.
“We’ve got been running with the Bucs on extending Mike’s profession for over a 12 months now, and we wish lovers to grasp this isn’t a technique and the ball is within the proprietor’s court docket,” the company stated. “That stated, we are giving him the books till the beginning of the common season to make him a E-book for existence, and if that may’t occur, Mike’s focal point will likely be 100% on soccer and his long run and the place he can keep growing.” Have affect.”
Evans had expressed his need to stick in Tampa Bay ultimate month, a sentiment that was once additionally mirrored within the opening day liberate.
He stated, “It is no secret that I need to be a bookie for existence.” “It is uncommon for avid gamers, particularly nowadays, to last up to I’ve. I simply need to finally end up right here.”
However Evans needs a deal that displays his talent and contribution.
Evans has posted 9 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with the Buccaneers – the primary participant in NFL historical past to do so that you can start his profession. He’s 3rd at the back of Jerry Rice (14) and Randy Moss (10) for probably the most 1,000-yard seasons in NFL historical past. Evans holds just about each and every Buccaneers franchise receiving document, together with maximum profession touchdowns (81), profession receptions (683) and profession receiving yards (10,425).
He is among the maximum visual philanthropic faces within the Tampa Bay neighborhood. He and his spouse, Ashley, lately awarded a complete of $170,000 in faculty scholarships to fifteen highschool scholars and feature in my view contributed $345,000 in scholarships since 2017.
Requested Thursday whether or not the Buccaneers would make extra roster strikes to disencumber cap house to re-sign Evans, basic supervisor Jason Licht stated, “There are some things we will do. We’ve got a couple of concepts.” What we will do is that, and clearly, we need to stay it between us. There are issues we will do.”
The Buccaneers are nonetheless footing the invoice on retired quarterback Tom Brady’s contract, which is $35 million over the wage cap this 12 months. Their $76.76 million in lifeless cash in 2023 is probably the most of any group within the NFL. His wage cap subsequent season is projected to be within the area of $46.91 million.
The group lately restructured the contract of middle Ryan Jensen, who was once put on season-ending injured reserve ultimate week. Evans has restructured his contract thrice to permit for extra wage cap flexibility. Extensive receiver Russell Gage, who was once additionally put on injured reserve, took a pay reduce this offseason to stay with the group.
The Buccaneers even have a number of Professional Bowlers in Evans, linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White, protection Antoine Winfield Jr. and left take on Tristan Wirfs up for brand new contracts in 2024. White brought about a stir this offseason when he publicly asked a business after contract talks stalled, however he’ll play on his fifth-year possibility in 2023.