NFL Analysis
2/19/24
6 min read
Top Free Agency Landing Spots For Mike Evans
Update: According to Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Mike Evans had a soft deadline of February 19 to get an extension done but the sides remain far apart.
Despite his age, Evans isn’t slowing down. At all.
The 10-year veteran just posted his 10th straight 1,000-yard season, posting 1,255 yards in 17 games. Evans tied for the NFL lead in touchdown receptions with 13.
| Receivers with 1,000-yard seasons | |
| Player | Number |
| Jerry Rice | 14 |
| Mike Evans | 10 |
| Randy Moss | 10 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 9 |
| Terrell Owens | 9 |
| Jimmy Smith | 9 |
| Tim Brown | 9 |
| 10 Players Tied | 8 |
Evans will turn 31 in August, but he is still a premier player. And with his game aging like a fine wine, he should have plenty of suitors in free agency this March.
But what teams might be interested in the soon-to-be five-time Pro Bowl selection? And where could he go that would help him best extend his career? Here are four potential landing spots for Evans in free agency:
4 Potential Landing Spots
Kansas City Chiefs
No team needs more wide receiver help this offseason than the Kansas City Chiefs. The Patrick Mahomes's weapons in 2023 were unreliable, and no one has emerged outside of Travis Kelce and Rashee Rice.
It doesn’t help that Kelce has regressed during his age-34 season. For the first time since 2015, he failed to eclipse 1,000 yards, and he saw his yards per reception drop for the fourth straight season.
Kelce will turn 35 during the 2024 season, and it's clear he isn't the same player he was a few years ago. Kelce is just at a different stage of his career, and Kansas City desperately needs someone else to shoulder the load on offense.
Adding Evans would give the Chiefs a bonafide No. 1 receiver who can play on the outside and win against man coverage. His size in the red zone would be a big weapon for Mahomes, and it would give Kansas City another big-bodied receiver who can win 50/50 balls.
The Chiefs have the cap space to get a deal done with Evans this offseason, but the idea of adding another expensive receiver on the wrong side of the 30 might be why this doesn't get done.
If Evans wants to extend his 1,000-yard streak and have a shot at another ring, Kansas City might be the best option for him.
Cincinnati Bengals
Whenever the Cincinnati Bengals have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on the field together, they are one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Even when Joe Burrow has been out, this duo has lit up the scoreboard.
Unfortunately, there is a good chance they won't be back together in 2024 because Higgins is set to become a free agent. He'll be the most coveted free agent on the market, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he earned a contract close to $30 million per year. Players of his stature and age rarely become available on the open market.
If Higgins leaves, the Bengals will need to replace Higgins. Tyler Boyd is a fine slot receiver, but he will turn 30 in 2024, and his production has taken a significant hit over the last few years. Could the Bengals "rent" Evans for a few years at a decent price to play opposite Chase?
Like Higgins, Evans is a big receiver who can win down the field and in the red zone. Plus, this would take some pressure off Evans because he would only see 1-on-1 coverage in Cincinnati. That would be a great way to ensure he could stay productive and efficient.
Seeing Evans in Cincinnati would be a little weird, but he would be a great replacement for Higgins if the Bengals lost him in free agency.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have their own issues to deal with at wide receiver — Michael Pittman Jr. is set to hit the open market in 2024. Pittman accumulated 109 receptions for 1,152 yards this past season and has caught 88 or more passes in three straight seasons. The Colts are likely to get a deal done with him this offseason (or will give him a franchise tag), but it's clear they need to add weapons opposite of him.
The good news for Indianapolis is it is projected to have the fourth-most cap space entering the offseason. The Colts have a rookie quarterback contract (Anthony Richardson), meaning this is the time to load up on weapons. Indianapolis is already a good team and has an excellent chance of winning its division despite Richardson’s injury.
The Colts' goal this offseason should be to surround Richardson with weapons. Adding another 6-foot-4 receiver who can make plays down the field with his size and athleticism would almost seem unfair.
Evans and Pittman would be the biggest wide receiver pairing in the league and a nightmare for defenses to defend, especially when you consider Richardson and a healthy Jonathan Taylor should make the team's run game even more effective.
Adding a player like Evans to a young offense could help take this unit to the next level. The Colts need a veteran presence in the locker room on that side of the ball. Plus, the team has the cap space to pay Evans handsomely. That certainly wouldn't hurt, either.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Although they haven't finalized an extension yet, the most obvious and likely landing spot for Evans is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And frankly, this is what should happen. He's one of the best players in franchise history, and he helped the team win a Super Bowl in 2020. Plus, Evans has kept this team competitive in the post–Tom Brady era, and it seems likely the Buccaneers will be back in the postseason this season.
Cap space isn’t an issue for the Buccaneers. They are projected to be $47 million under the cap this offseason. Tampa Bay has several big-name players it needs to decide on, including Baker Mayfield and Devin White. But getting a deal done with the Evans shouldn't be all that difficult.
The biggest question is whether Evans views the Buccaneers as a serious Super Bowl contender. If the answer is no, he might want a change in scenery. The team's quarterback situation is also something to monitor.
>>READ: The Reincarnation of Baker Mayfield
Mayfield had an outstanding season, but is he the quarterback Evans wants to be attached to for the remainder of his career? Again, the answer could be yes, but having the chance to play with Mahomes or Burrow for the next few years could be enticing.
Look for Evans to return to the Buccaneers in 2024 on a contract that will likely keep him in Tampa Bay for the remainder of his career. But after contract negotiations stalled out last year, there is a real chance he could play elsewhere for the first time in his career.
