Ensuring Evans didn’t reach the open market, where he could have been wooed by the highest bidder, is a big coup for Bucs general manager Jason Licht and his quest to keep much of the NFC South champions’ roster together in 2024.
Aging hasn’t slowed Evans down, as he still finds ways to get open and can win at every level. The $26 million-per-year average places Evans fourth among all receivers and underscores the Bucs’ belief he’ll remain one of the top pass catchers in the entire NFL. It marks a nearly $10 million-per-year leap from the five-year, $82.5 million extension Evans signed in 2018 that he played out.
The deal puts a path for Evans to potentially play his entire career in Tampa.
By far the most prolific receiver in Buccaneers history, Evans has generated 10 1,000-plus-yard receiving seasons in his decade in Tampa, a record for a receiver to start a career. Evans’ 11,680 total receiving yards are 4,990 more than the next-closest Buc all-time (Chris Godwin, 6,690), and his 94 touchdown catches are 60 more than No. 2 (Godwin, 34).