If the first two weeks of Bucs training camp are any indication, wide receiver Mike Evans could be in for a monster year in 2024. He’s dominating every practice, rarely drops a pass, has scored a bunch of touchdowns and is having a ton of fun in Dave Canales’ new offense.

As Evans is just weeks away from turning 30 and enters his 10th season in Tampa Bay, he’s entering a contract year and is looking for an extension that could allow him to retire as a Buccaneer. That will likely come before the season starts – just in time for him to embark on his 10th straight 1,000-yard season.

To expect anything less from Evans would be foolish – even in a new scheme that Canales brought with him from Seattle.

“I love what Dave has brought, a different type of energy,” Evans said. “He’s a really interesting guy, really fun to be around. In the past I’ve been moved around a lot, but in this offense I’m going to be moved around even more, so it’ll be harder to get a double team on me. I’m looking forward to seeing what we are able to do this year.”

Evans had a sub-par season last year by his standards – even though he produced his ninth straight 1,000-yard seasons. Although he still caught 77 passes for 1,124 yards (14.8) – numbers most NFL receivers would be thrilled with – Evans only caught six touchdowns. That’s a far cry from the franchise-record 14 he had in 2021 or even the 13 TDs he produced during Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl season in 2020.

Mike Evans Could Be Even More Productive In 2023

So what would a monster year from Mike Evans look like?

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

A monster year for Evans could be similar to his 2018 season in which he set career highs with 86 catches for 1,524 (17.7 avg.) while also scoring eight touchdowns during his second Pro Bowl season. But a year with production closely resembling his first Pro Bowl season in 2016 where he produced 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns might be more reasonable given the team’s more balanced attack in 2023. Evans had a career-high 96 catches on a career-high 173 targets.

Evans has only eclipsed 80 catches twice, and it was in those years. The fact that there are more slants, skinny posts and post patterns in Dave Canales’ offense will Evans and the other Bucs receivers to catch the ball on the move and have the potential for more yards after catch than the comebacks, curls and quick out routes that were featured in Bruce Arians’ scheme.

“Absolutely,” Evans said. “I’m going to be in more positions to get the ball and that’s what I want. As a competitor, as a guy with my skill set, I want to be able to do everything. I don’t want to be limited to just deep in-cuts, deep outs, and go balls. I want to be able to do everything because that’s what I can do.”

In fact, Canales’ offense will take the reins off Evans and allow him to run ever more routes, and Tampa Bay’s new offensive coordinator plans to move the four-time Pro Bowler around more than ever to get him open.

“Like I’ve said, I’m moved all over the place,” Evans said. “I mean there are things, there are a lot of routes – everybody has the same plays pretty much, it’s just when to call them. They are called different things. But there are a few different routes that I’ve never seen before, and I look forward to running some of routes. It’s going to be hard to stop some of these routes.”

Mike Evans Is Energized Heading Into His 10th Season With The Bucs

Whether it’s Dave Canales’ infectious energy, the challenge of learning a new scheme after four years of Bruce Arians’ offense, or being surrounded by a host of younger, talented receivers, Evans is incredibly excited to get the 2024 campaign underway. And it’s showing with how he’s dominating the likes of Jamel Dean, Carlton Davis III, Zyon McCollum and others in training camp.

Bucs WRs Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, QB Baker Mayfield and OC Dave Canales – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles, who runs Tampa Bay’s defense, has seen firsthand how difficult Evans has been to cover on a daily basis.

“It’s a different offense and he’s happy to be in it,” Bowles said. “He’s happy to learn it and he’s full of energy right now. He’s playing like a rookie and I love that about him because he’s in to it and doing a good job. [Bucs wide receivers coach] Brad Idzik is doing a good job getting those guys ready. I like the excitement he’s bringing. It is a great fresh challenge.”

Bowles is Evans’ fourth head coach he’s played for in Tampa Bay. And even though Bowles is a defensive-minded head coach, Evans loves playing for him.

“When people say player’s coach – he’s a players coach,” Evans said of Bowles. “He’s awesome. Me and him have always had a great relationship – even when he wasn’t the head guy. When he got the [head-coaching] job nothing really changed for me and this relationship. He looks out for us in practice. He’s played the game. He understands what our bodies need to go through, and he understands when our bodies need rest. So he’s been doing a great job. Love Coach Bowles.”

Bowles has implemented a new practice philosophy where the Bucs only practice three days in a row instead of four before getting a rest day.

“Usually about the fourth day you start to pull something here and there,” Bowles said. “They have to have a day off each week anyways. Just sitting down in the offseason with everybody – trainers, strength coaches and nutritionists. We felt that was the best way to get some rest and maximize the effort on the playing field.”

Bucs WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

With more rest, Evans has remained healthier this summer and hasn’t had his typical training camp hamstring injury as a result – at least not yet.

“I feel very youthful,” Evans said. “I feel better than I did when I was younger. Obviously, I’ve been on record saying that. Just being able to take care of my body. I’m way faster than I used to be, so you know, God willing, if I don’t have any big injuries … I mean I don’t know how long I can play, but I want to play for good while.”

Six of Evans’ 1,000-yard seasons have come with him just barely surpassing the 1,000-yard mark, such as his 1,001-yard season in 2017, his 1,005 yards in 2020 and 1,035 yards in 2021. If he stays healthy all season and thrives in Dave Canales’ new offense as expected, seeing Evans post 1,200 receiving yards or more won’t be a surprise based on how dominant he’s been in training camp thus far.