This season Tampa Bay Buccaneers are without their greatest player Tom Brady. As the NFL legend retired last season, the Bucs had to make some tough decisions to replace him and find a player to fit in his position.
Among the messed-up quarterback situation, now another very important player of the Bucs is on the verge of leaving the team. As the new season has already started, the Bucs need to make some quick decisions to fix their roster.
Mike Evans’ potential exit adds to Bucs’ woes
The wide receiver of the Bucs, Mike Evans might not continue with the franchise if the Buccaneers fail to meet his certain set of demands. Mike Evans gave the team a deadline of September 9 to offer him a contract extension.
However, the Bucs have made it clear that they will not extend the contract of the wide receiver. Mike Evans has been a top NFL receiver since his rookie season in 2014.
He has consistently achieved over 1,000 receiving yards each season and has a total of 10,425 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns across his nine-year career. He was a vital part of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV-winning team in 2020.
But still, the team is not willing to offer him a contract extension which means after this season ends, Mike Evans will become a free agent and can join any other team in the league.
He signed a 5-year contract with the Bucs back in 2018 which was worth $82.5 million. This season he’s entering the last year of his contract.
Baker Mayfield Takes the Helm as Bucs QB
After Tom Brady retired, the biggest challenge for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was to select a starting quarterback. Now the team has finally reached the decision and given that position to Baker Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield will be the starting QB for the Bucs succeeding franchise icon Tom Brady.
The head coach, Todd Bowles, announced this news recently in a briefing. He expressed excitement about Mayfield’s progress and understanding of the playbook.
“There’s a lot that goes into it. I can’t sit up here and give you every detail. We go through man training camp (practices) and OTAs and we love everything Kyle (Trask) has done. He’s gotten leaps and bounds better. And he has in the spring and he’s continuing to get better. And we’re excited about Baker. We like where we’re at right now. experience wise and his understanding the playbook just a little bit better.”
Things are going to get very exciting for the Bucs although Mike Evans’ future remains uncertain, and Baker Mayfield takes on the role of the team’s starting quarterback for this regular season.
