Is Another Mike Evans Contract Extension With The Bucs Coming?

Fresh off signing legendary Bucs receiver Mike Evans to a two-year contract extension worth at least $41 million, general manager Jason Licht seems prepared to do it again.

Joining Steve Wyche and James Palmer on NFL Network’s The NFL Report on Monday evening, Licht discussed how Evans, who turns 31 in August, is still in his prime and coming off one of his best years.

“It’s not fun sometimes (doing contract negotiations), but in this particular case with Mike, he did not slow down at all this year,” Licht said. “He had one of his best years. And of course, we look at all the GPS and all those things, and this was one of the fastest years that he’s had. It’s a tribute to his training. He’s working extremely hard as he’s gotten up there in age. And as he’s put years in and logged years in, he’s worked harder and harder in the offseason.”

In his 10th year in Tampa Bay, Evans had one of his best seasons. He caught 79 passes for 1,255 yards (15.9 avg.) and 13 touchdowns in 2023 and was Tampa Bay’s primary weapon on offense. All of those numbers are up from a year ago when he had 77 receptions for 1,124 yards (14.6 avg.) and six TDs.

Evans’ big season came when he needed it the most. As Evans turned 30, the Bucs wanted to see how he would perform in a contract year and did not make him an offer until after the 2023 season concluded. Evans helped the Bucs make the playoffs for a fourth straight season, win a third consecutive NFC South championship and advance to the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs.

Licht attributes Evans’ prolonged success to his work ethic and training regimen, and hinted that this two-year deal might not be his last with the Bucs.

“He’s a freak worker right now,” Licht said. “So we weren’t afraid of him losing anything. In fact, we think that he’s still in his prime – very much so. And I wouldn’t be surprised if we actually sign him to another contract extension after this one’s done the way he’s motivated right now.”

Although he opted not to play in the postseason all-star event, Evans made his fifth Pro Bowl in 2023, and was also named a second-team All-Pro for the second time in his illustrious career. He also extended his own NFL record with 10 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start a career.

Jason Licht Gets Emotional Talking About Mike Evans

At the press conference announcing the Mike Evans contract extension on March 8 just prior to the start of free agency, Bucs general manager Jason Licht admitted he was getting emotional talking about the legendary receiver and his impact on the franchise.

Bucs WR Mike Evans and GM Jason Licht – Photo by: Scott Reynolds/PR

“To be fully transparent, I’ve done a few of these over the last decade, but I’m having a hard time with coming up with what to say here because there’s just so much to say,” Licht said. “Mike’s obviously an extraordinary player. He and his wife, Ashli, and family are extraordinary people. [They] have done unprecedented things in the community, as well as Mike on the field. He means so much to this community, fanbase, organization, [and] to me, personally, my family. He’s a role model to a lot of kids and our kids as well.

“The moment that we found out that Mike wanted to be a [Buccaneer] for life was something I’ll never forget. I was sharing the story with him, where Blair [Licht] and I were. So, before I get too emotional, I’m going to turn it over to him, but we’re just happy he stayed home.”

On an appearance on NFL Tonight on NFL Network, Licht was asked about why he gets emotional discussing his first-ever draft pick as general manager.

“It’s because he’s the most selfless player that I’ve ever been around,” Licht said of Mike Evans. “He’s one of the most humble superstars – we’ve used that several times here, but that’s the best way to describe him. He’s all about team. There’s not a single person that locker room that doesn’t respect him – not a single person in this building that doesn’t respect him. He knows everybody. He treats everybody the same. He treats everybody with respect.

“And all he wants to do is win. You know I couldn’t draw up better teammate than Mike Evans, which is why this became very emotional – and the thought of losing him I felt would be very detrimental to this organization. So I’m glad once again – he’s another one I’m glad we don’t know what happened, what would have happened if we didn’t sign him before free agency started. I just know that I had a few cocktails after we got that one done.”

What The Next Mike Evans Contract Extension Could Look Like

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

With Mike Evans locked up for two more years in Tampa Bay, Jason Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg don’t have to think about another round of negotiations with the future Hall of Famer for a while.

If there is a next contract with Evans, it will likely continue to be another short-term deal like the current two-year agreement. Or perhaps it will be a one-year deal like the franchise has done in the past with Hall of Famer Ronde Barber in the twilight of his career and like the team is currently doing with 34-year old linebacker Lavonte David, who signed another one-year deal this offseason.

How much Evans is worth in terms of tens of millions of dollars depends on his production as he navigates his 30s, but future deals could stay in the $20 million-plus range.

If Evans is truly still in his prime in 2026 and continues to crank out 1,000-yard seasons as the Bucs’ primary weapon in the passing game, the star receiver’s current deal will certainly not be his last in Tampa Bay.

Licht will make sure of it – and have a few more cocktails afterwards to celebrate it.

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