In a new summer series, I’ll take a look at some Bucs topics for the upcoming season – and explore them with a twist.

Our first topic is – what if Mike Evans didn’t get 1,000 yards this season?

Inspired by Marvel’s “What If…?” comic books and the Marvel animated series, let’s take a look at some potentially different outcomes to some of the more intriguing storylines in Tampa Bay that nobody sees coming. To be clear, this is not a series of topics that Pewter Report believes will happen or necessarily hopes will happen. Just use your imagination and get ready for some surprises, Tampa Bay fans.

The Background

Noted philosopher Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Legendary Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is a future Hall of Famer because his career is marked with excellence after starting his time in the NFL with 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons. His Tampa Bay career has been the epitome of excellence and he quickly became not just the best receiver in franchise history, but also the best offensive weapon the Bucs have ever had.

Coming off his fifth Pro Bowl season in which he caught 79 passes for 1,255 yards (15.9 avg.) and scored 13 touchdowns, which was tied for the league lead, the expectation is that Evans will post an 11th straight 1,000-yard season. Especially after signing a lucrative two-year, $52 million contract extension this offseason.

Entering a new offense run by former Rams offensive assistant Liam Coen, Evans will be featured in more bunch formations, which should assist him with even more free releases off the line of scrimmage. And with Evans expected to see some time in the slot, he could escape the matchups of some of the league’s best cover corners and win favorably against nickel cornerbacks instead.

Evans has built a reputation as a 1,000-yard receiver in Tampa Bay, but all good things must come to an end. The former first-round pick turns 31 in August and there will eventually be a time when he will no longer have the 1,000-yard seasons we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing him produce.

What If Mike Evans Didn’t Get 1,000 Yards This Season?

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

This is a What If? scenario no Bucs fan wants to ponder, especially this season when Tampa Bay’s roster has been reloaded since an 8-9 record in 2022. The team had a bounce-back year after Tom Brady’s departure in 2023 with Baker Mayfield at the helm.

The Bucs went 9-8, beat the Eagles in the playoffs and advanced to the NFC Divisional round of the playoffs thanks in large part to Mike Evans’ 10th 1,000-yard season and his 13 touchdowns. Mayfield and Evans quickly established a strong connection and both wound up as Bucs Pro Bowlers last year.

Keep in mind that Evans has had some close calls to his 10-year streak of 1,000-yard seasons coming to an end. As a rookie in 2014, Evans played in 15 games and finished with 1,051 yards. In 2017, Evans also missed a game that year and wound up with 1,001 receiving yards.

During the Bucs’ Super Bowl season in 2020, Evans was injured early in the season finale against the Falcons, but not before finishing with 1,006 yards. In 2021 as Tampa Bay went 13-4, Evans posted just 1,035 yards while missing the Packers game early in the season due to a suspension.

The key to Evans’ big season last year was him staying healthy for all 17 games. It was the first time Evans hadn’t missed a start since 2020, and he’s had some of his most productive seasons when he’s played in every game.

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

So if Evans didn’t hit 1,000 yards this year it would likely be due to an unfortunate injury that cost him a game or more. And whenever Evans doesn’t play, the Bucs have been 3-6 in his absence.

New offensive coordinator Liam Coen is importing the Rams offense to Tampa Bay this year, and it has a track record of producing 1,000-yard receivers. Former L.A. receivers Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks each went over 1,200 yards in 2018. The next year it was Cooper Kupp and Woods each topping 1,100 yards.

Kupp had his 1,947-yard monster season the next year in 2021 helping the Rams win Super Bowl LVI. And last year, Puka Nacua was a Pro Bowl rookie sensation at wide receiver with 1,486 yards.

While his presence on the field has historically been a key to Tampa Bay’s success, Evans doesn’t have to have a monster year statistically for the Bucs to excel. Again, he posted just 1,006 yards during the Super Bowl season in 2020 and 1,035 yards in 2021 as Tampa Bay won a franchise-best 13 games.

The key is Evans’ touchdown production rather than his 1,000-yard seasons. He had 77 catches for 1,124 yards in 2022, but only scored six touchdowns – his lowest total since 2017. That was a factor in the Bucs winning just eight games that year and finishing with a losing record even though the team won an NFC South championship.

Former Bucs QB Tom Brady and WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Everyone wants to see Evans’ record-setting 1,000-yard streak to start an NFL career continue to 11 years, which seems like an achievement that might stand the test of time and be out of reach for others.

Suppose Evans wound up just short with 940 yards receiving yet with say, 14 touchdowns. But those 14 scores helped Tampa Bay increase its win total and advance further into the postseason – no one would complain. Especially not a selfless, team-first player like Evans.

What do you think, Pewter People? Would you be willing to sacrifice seeing Mike Evans’ 1,000-yard streak come to an end if it meant an even better Bucs season in 2024? Leave a comment below with your opinion.

Other articles in Scott Reynolds’ What If? summer series:

What If Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Led The Bucs In Sacks?

What If The Bucs Wore Orange Pants For The Creamsicle Game?