He’s done it again!

At age 30, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans has the 1,000-yard mark for a 10th straight season to start an NFL career. It’s a record that he owns exclusively dating back to last season when he reached nine straight seasons of 1,000 yards receiving dating back to 2014 – the year Evans entered the league as Tampa Bay’s first round pick with the seventh overall selection.

Evans came into Sunday’s game against the Panthers needing 150 receiving yards to reach 1,000 yards. And had five catches for 144 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown before catching a 11-yard pass to surpass 1,000 yards in 2023.

Up next for Evans will be to tie Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s mark of 11 straight seasons with 1,000 yards receiving at any point in a career. He can do that with another 1,000-yard season in 2024. It’s a record that’s been on his mind for some time now.

“I think about. It’s right there, so I’m gonna definitely try to go get that,” Evans told KPRC 2 Houston’s Ari Alexander at his youth football camp over the summer. “I’m already one of one right now. I hope I can pass the great Jerry Rice and his record. Obviously, nobody will pass his records probably, like ever, total. But that 1,000-yard streak record would be cool to have.”

Will Mike Evans Have Another 1,000-Yard Year With The Bucs?

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

Mike Evans is in a contract year and his return to Tampa Bay next year is certain. But he’s having one of the best seasons in his 10-year NFL career and had 54 catches for 850 yards with nine receiving touchdowns entering Sunday’s game.

The Bucs did not offer Evans a contract in the offseason and appear relegated to letting him test free agency to determine his value. Tampa Bay has deployed this tactic in each of the last two offseasons, letting cornerback Carlton Davis III test the free agent waters in 2022 and letting cornerback Jamel Dean and inside linebacker Lavonte David do the same this past March. All three re-signed with the Bucs for deals that were less robust than what the players anticipated receiving from other teams.

Evans has a great relationship with general manager Jason Licht and there is a chance the Bucs could match any offer he gets. Or perhaps if the offer is close, Evans could give the Bucs a hometown discount for the chance to finish his illustrious career in Tampa Bay. Evans is on a Hall of Fame trajectory.

One thing is certain, the Bucs certainly won’t be a better team without Evans next year, and it seems like Tampa Bay truly can’t afford to let him go – even if commands around $20 million or possibly more in free agency.

Mike Evans Is Having One Of His Best Seasons In Tampa Bay

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Evans is on pace for 13 touchdowns this season, which would be the fifth time in his 10-year career in Tampa Bay that he’s produced double-digit TDs. Evans set the Bucs’ single-season record for TD catches as a rookie in 2014 with 12 and matched that total in 2016, which was his first Pro Bowl season.

Then Evans broke that single-season receiving touchdowns record in 2020 with 13, reaching double-digit scores again in helping Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV. The next season. Evans topped his own record again, scoring 14 touchdowns in 2021.

While he’s having a very good year, it’s doubtful Evans eclipses his personal bets in terms of catches or receiving yards this season unless he substantially picks up the pace and produces several big days with multiple 100-yard games down the stretch. Evans has two 100-yard games this season, including a six-catch, 143-yard day versus the Titans back in Week 10.