Mike Evans has owned just about every Bucs receiving record for some time now, but there was one franchise record that he’s been building toward ever since he caught his first career touchdown on Sept. 28, 2014 in a road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers: becoming Tampa Bay’s all-time leading scorer.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Evans came into the 2024 season opener two weeks ago just 15 points away from breaking Martin Gramatica’s franchise record for career points scored, and with two touchdowns in a 37-20 win against the Commanders, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver got within two points of Gramatica’s 592.

But after being held out of the end zone in Week 2’s 20-16 win over the Lions and Week 3’s 26-7 loss to the Broncos, he eyed Sunday’s Week 4 contest against the Eagles at Raymond James Stadium as his next chance to make Bucs history.

Sure enough, Evans got there on the opening drive of Sunday’s game. His 2-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Baker Mayfield was the Bucs’ first opening-drive touchdown since Week 18 of the 2022 season, and it meant history for Tampa Bay’s all-time great.

“There’s no way you can stay with Mike Evans.” –@TomBrady

📺: #PHIvsTB on FOX pic.twitter.com/3oY3NFCp7u

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 29, 2024

With that, Mike Evans is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ all-time leading scorer, edging out three kickers and Ring of Honor member Mike Alstott, who rounds out the franchise’s top five scorers.

Bucs’ All-Time Leading Scorers:

1. WR Mike Evans (2014-Present) — 596
2. K Martin Gramatica (1999-2004) — 592
3. K Michael Husted (1993-1998) — 502
4. K Connor Barth (2009-2012, 2015) — 477
5. RB/FB Mike Alstott (1996-2007) — 432

Martín Gramática salutes @MikeEvans13_ for breaking his 20-year franchise scoring record 🫡 https://t.co/m5c6uqbWks pic.twitter.com/zL4sgSTVek

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 29, 2024

Mike Evans Further Secures Status As Bucs’ Best-Ever Offensive Player

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Mike Evans didn’t need the all-time scoring record to become the best offensive player in Bucs history, as he earned that status a long time ago. However, surpassing Gramatica’s scoring record just adds to the long list of franchise records the 31-year-old receiver already owns.

He’s the Bucs’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and total touchdowns, and as good as longtime teammate Chris Godwin has been, Godwin is a distant second in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. And Alstott, a team legend, is a distant second in total touchdowns.

Evans’ spot in Buccaneer history has long been cemented, as the team can really begin planning his Bucs Ring of Honor induction ceremony the minute he retires. As for where he ranks among the organization’s legends? That’s a conversation that began to surface a couple of weeks ago. NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt made the case for Evans being the best Buccaneer ever, which Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds discussed in a Pewter Pulse episode.

It may be debated for the rest of time, as Evans has to contend with franchise icons like Lee Roy Selmon, Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp and Ronde Barber. But for an organization with a history dominated by defense, there is zero question as to where No. 13 ranks on the offensive side of the ball. He’s one of one.

Mike Evans Has More History To Make As 2024 Rolls On

Bucs WR Mike Evans Photo by: USA Today

Unsurprisingly, there are more milestones for Mike Evans to reach as the rest of this season unfolds. His 10 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons are already the most by a player in NFL history to start a career, and another 1,000-yard campaign in 2024 will tie Jerry Rice’s all-time streak at 11 seasons.

In addition to eyeing Rice’s streak, it won’t be long before Evans crosses into the top 30 in league history in terms of receiving yards. He entered Sunday’s game 105 yards shy of passing Michael Irvin (11,904) for 30th, and from there, he’ll likely be just a couple of weeks away from passing Derrick Mason (12,061) for 29th and Hines Ward (12,083) for 28th.

The touchdown that made Evans the Bucs’ all-time leading scorer was his third of the season. If he can cross the 12-touchdown mark for the fourth time in his last five campaigns, he would become the fifth player in NFL history with 12+ touchdown receptions in six or more seasons.

Evans is also approaching the 100-touchdown mark for his career. He’s soon to be the 26th player in NFL history with 100 total touchdowns, and that will get him into the top 10 all-time in terms of receiving touchdowns as well. He’d join a host of Pro Football Hall of Famers, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s getting fitted for his gold jacket as well.

ALL T1⃣M3⃣ @MikeEvans13_ now holds the record for the most points scored in franchise history. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0WAWEgesgs

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) September 29, 2024