After signing a two-year contract extension worth at least $21 million per season on Friday, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans turned his attention towards Baker Mayfield and expressed his desire to see the free agent quarterback return to Tampa Bay.

“Of course, of course. Me and Baker, we played one season together and I feel like we can build on what we did last year,” Evans said. “Hopefully we get him back – he’s a hell of a player. I appreciate [him]. They’re going to handle their process and I trust Jason [Licht] and the front office no matter what happens.”

Evans had a Pro Bowl season in his 10th year with the Bucs in 2023. He hauled in 79 receptions for 1,255 yards (15.9 avg.) and 13 touchdowns from Mayfield, who had a career season in Tampa Bay in 2023 after signing a one-year, prove-it deal with a $4 million base salary and incentives that pushed the deal close to $8 million in total.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield at the Pro Bowl – Photo by: USA Today

Mayfield, who turns 29 in April, threw for 4,000 yards for the first time in his six-year NFL career, as well as throwing a career-high 28 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. The former No. 1 overall pick helped the Bucs win the NFC South for a third straight season and beat Philadelphia in the Wild Card round of the playoffs before losing at Detroit in the Divisional round of the postseason. His season culminated with his first Pro Bowl berth and was named the game’s Offensive MVP.

Evans believes the two can continue that type of success in 2024.

Last week during contract negotiations with the Buccaneers, Evans stated that he didn’t want to play with a rookie quarterback at this stage of his career, and that he only wanted to play with an elite QB. During Friday’s press conference he called Mayfield an elite quarterback.

“Absolutely,” Evans said. “It’s on record that I’ve played with many quarterbacks throughout my career, so that doesn’t matter. Whoever the quarterback is, he’s an NFL quarterback. But, yeah, me and Baker, we have a really good connection. I think he’s an elite quarterback.”

Mike Evans Makes It Clear He Wants Baker Mayfield Back With The Bucs

Bucs WR Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Mike Evans’ two-year contract extension with the Bucs totals at least $42 million and possibly more if he hits certain incentives. But during the negotiating phase, Evans was just as interested to know if the team planned to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield as much as what the Bucs were offering contract-wise.

“Obviously I wanted to stay in Tampa and they offered me great money,” Evans said. “It wasn’t even about the money. I just wanted to see everything as a whole. Are we going to get Baker back? And things like that. But you know I can play with whoever is at quarterback. Obviously, I hope it’s Baker, but if not, I can make it work.”

Evans said that he and Mayfield have been in contact during the pre-free agency period.

“Me and Baker talk,” Evans said. “I just want what’s best for him. I think what would be best for him would be to play with me and Chris [Godwin], but there’s a lot of great receivers in this league that could use his services as well.”

Bucs general manager Jason Licht was asked if there was a link between re-signing Evans and that increasing the odds that Mayfield signs a contract extension with Tampa Bay.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I see a link between the two because they like each other, they played well with each other. But it’s not, once again, it’s doesn’t make it automatic,” Licht said. “I’m not taking it anybody for granted here. So it’s a good start. It’s a good player to throw to. Who wouldn’t want to throw to him? But Baker’s got to make a decision for him – for himself.”

On Friday Licht seemed fairly optimistic about Mayfield re-signing with the Bucs.

“I’m a confident person in general, so I’m confident that we’re going to be putting our best foot forward,” Licht said.

Evans took it a step further in forecasting Mayfield’s return to Tampa Bay.

“I mean, I’m extremely confident,” Evans said Friday. “I’m not 100 percent, but he played really great for us last year, the city took him in, the players loved him — hopefully we get him back. But he should do what’s best for him.”