Why the Buccaneers Could Be Hesitant to Pay Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, through his agent, has demanded a new contract prior to the start of the season or he will shut down negotiations, perhaps for good with the team that drafted him. Though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ownership may have good reason not to give into those demands due to several factors.

Evans' agent set a self-imposed deadline to get a contract done by September 9, saying they will cease negotiations if a deal is not reached beforehand. Due $14.5 million in the last year of his deal with a cap hit of $23.6 million, the 10-year vet is looking to remain a "Buc for life" and receive security on a long-term contract.

The problem is according to Evans' agent they are looking for a contract that pays him among the top five players at the position. Eyeing a three-year, $75-80 million deal along the lines of what Rams wideout Cooper Kupp received. The Buccaneers are unlikely willing to pay that to a receiver who will be age 31 when Evans' new contract would kick in.

It's been suggested by Evans' agent that the ball is in the ownership's court. Mentioning negotiations with general manager Jason Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg have been professional. The Glazers though may feel they have enough reasons to pause at paying Evans what he wants.

Why The Glazers Might Have Reservations On Extending Evans At His Asking Price

First off, several of the Bucs' last big-money contracts have gone a bit wayward, with both Ryan Jensen and Shaq Barrett suffering injuries in their 30s after being paid handsomely. With Jensen's perhaps career-ending. Running back Leonard Fournette, receiver Julio Jones and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks didn't quite pan out as the team would've hoped and count for $13.3 million in dead cap charges this season.

Tampa Bay also has a plethora of young talent in Antoine Winfield Jr., Devin White, and Tristan Wirfs who are due contacts after this season as well. Those reasons alone are perhaps why the Glazers don't feel comfortable backing up the Brinks truck to a receiver who will be on the wrong side of 30.

Though they've also shelled out big money the last three years to players trying to win championships as well. Albeit they succeeded their first year, maybe the thinking is it's time to recoup some of that money rather than to continue to spend it. Especially with a young team with low expectations nationally.

Add that to the fact that Evans' market may not be as robust as he thinks it is in free agency next season, and there is plenty of reason to pause at a large money deal for the receiver. Evans wouldn't be the first star the team has let walk away either with Warren Sapp and John Lynch leaving the franchise as well.

In financial straits right now, the Buccaneers need to open up cap space to be able to afford operation costs throughout the season. As it stands currently they don't have enough cap space to pay their practice squad players. Let alone any in-season pickups they would want or need to make.

They have until Thursday to get their books in order and an Evans extension would be the easiest route to get there. But with a contract stalemate in play, it seems like restructuring Barrett is the likeliest option. Evans is the face of the franchise, a lock for the Bucs Ring of Honor and potentially the NFL Hall of Fame, but don't expect the Glazers to give in to his contract demands.

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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