Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Not Trade Star WR

The September 9 deadline for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mike Evans will come and go without a new deal for the star wide receiver. This was expected to happen and we laid out a list of reasons why the team may have been hesitant to do so.

The Bucs never offered Evans a contract in the days leading up to the deadline, sources told me. In fact there was never a deal offered in the last two seasons they’ve been negotiating as the team and player were far apart in what the guarantees would look like.

Evans agent commented on how professional working with Bucs general manager Jason Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg have been throughout the process. Though this wasn’t their call as the ball has been in ownership’s hands.

With several young players up for contracts next season in linebacker Devin White and safety Antoine Winfield. In addition to a likely record-setting deal for left tackle Tristan Wirfs in the pipeline. As well as potential deals for 2023 free agent signings in quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Ryan Neal. The Buccaneers will let Mike Evans test the market next season as they have done with cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis and linebacker Lavonte David the past two off-seasons.

The wide receiver market softened this offseason after an explosion in 2022. The Bucs are hoping that another soft market combined with Evans's age, he will be 31 next season, leads to a potential reunion at a deal less than the reported three-year $75-80 million he was looking for prior to his deadline.

In the meantime, there are no plans to trade Evans as he figures to be a pivotal part of the offense as they try and compete for another NFC South title. The trade deadline this season is October 31. The Bucs will have played just seven games and even if they are winless, it is unlikely even then that they would consider trading him.

The Bucs would rather have him play out the season and retain the possibility to negotiate a deal prior to free agency, than receive what likely would be minimal compensation for a rental player. If Evans walks in free agency the team would likely receive a fifth-round compensatory pick in 2025, depending on the terms of his new contract and free agents Tampa Bay signs in 2024.

The bottom line is don't expect the Buccaneers to trade Evans in 2023.

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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