Mike Evans just inked deal with Bucs to make him 2nd highest paid wideout in NFL
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened the vault in order to keep their best offensive weapon around through the 2023 season.
Wide receiver Mike Evans agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million extension, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday.
The deal includes $55 million in guarantees, according to the report.
We've agreed to terms with WR @MikeEvans13_ through the 2023 campaign. 💪#GoBucs☠️ pic.twitter.com/ExKlBjIEM4
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) March 9, 2018
Evans will receive $16.5 million per year — second only to Pittsburgh Steelers superstar Antonio Brown’s $17 million among wide receivers.
Signing Evans to a long-term deal was one of the top offseason priorities for Tampa Bay GM Jason Licht.
The 24-year-old receiver took to Instagram on Friday to thank the Bucs, “from the owners to the front office, for believing in me and allowing me to take care of my family.”
He said he will be staying in Tampa Bay “with one goal in mind: winning a Super Bowl with my teammates. … I’m going to continue to strive for greatness on the field as well as in my community.”
Evans was selected by the Bucs with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft out of Texas A&M, where he was the favorite receiver of Heisman winner Johnny Manziel.
He was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team after catching 68 passes for 1,051 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first NFL season.
In 2015, the 6-foot-5 wideout was paired with Tampa Bay rookie quarterback Jameis Winston and instantly became his top target, hauling in 74 receptions for 1,206 yards.
The next year, Evans was named to the Pro Bowl after putting together a stellar season with 96 receptions, 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns.
While his team struggled to a 5-11 record in 2017, Evans again topped the 1,000-yard mark.
YEAAAAAAAA @MikeEvans13_ turn up son!! Imma go have a shot of water for you brotha. Haha.
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) March 9, 2018
He ranks third for Tampa Bay in career receptions (309), third in receiving yards (4,579) and second in receiving touchdowns (32), and is a very good bet to top all those categories by the end of the upcoming season.
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