Tampa Bay and the veteran receiver appear to be at odds over a new contract.
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Mike Evans have not been able to sign a contract since last offseason. As of now, no deal has been finalized, and there are reports that the longtime Bucs wide receiver is ready to become a free agent.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Evans and the Bucs are still “separated” from any type of contract.
The Buccaneers had a soft deadline today to sign Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans to a contract extension, but sources say the gap between the two teams remains wide. Tampa Bay will be responsible for $7.4 million in dead money in 2024 by not completing a deal today. Negotiations will continue, but my understanding is that unless there is an unforeseen change in the talks, Evans is likely to become a free agent.
As Schultz pointed out on his Twitter(X) account, if a deal is not reached by today's deadline, Tampa Bay will be responsible for $7.4 million in dead money this season. Both sides have been vocal about making something work, but so far nothing has happened.
Previous reports have indicated that Evans' desire to stay in Tampa Bay also hinges on what the Buccaneers do with veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bucks will likely be looking to take Mayfield's $7 million in dead money, as his contract is still not finalized today.
All reports point out that the Bucks and Evans have been in talks leading up to the start of free agency, which begins March 11th.
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