What felt like was going to be smooth sailing in the next contract for Mike Evans and the Bucs has hit a rocky stretch and come to an abrupt halt. The Bucs hoped to give Evans, who is on the final year of his deal, a contract extension for what most likely would be his last big payout of his career. But Tampa Bay was just given an ultimatum by Evans’ agent – and the team has just nine days to comply.

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

According to a report from Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, Evan’s agent, Deryk Gilmore, has given the Bucs a deadline until September 9 to come up with a contract extension offer. That would be one day before the start of the regular season when the Bucs play a road game against the Vikings.

Per Gilmore, he has “informed the Buccaneers organization that we will discontinue contract discussions” on Saturday, September 9, and “Mike’s focus will be on football and his future and where he can continue to make an impact.”

Gilmore released a five paragraph statement on the matter, which you can read below.

Mike Evans’ Agent, Deryk Gilmore, Going Public With Demands

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times released an article on Wednesday night with public comments from Gilmore.

“It sickens (Evans) to see players hold out and get rewarded, when he does everything for the organization on the field, in the community, off the field, working with other players in the organization,” Gilmore told Stroud.

Back in early August Mike Evans spoke with the media and answered a question from Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds about a potential contract extension and him trusting that a deal would get done between both sides.

“Its no secret that I want to be a Buc for life,” Evans said. “It’s rare for players especially in this day and age to stay on a team for as long as I have. I just want to finish here.”

Looking At Both Sides Of The Mike Evans – Bucs Contract Stalemate

There are many different layers to break down in this contract negotiation between Mike Evans and the Buccaneers. As popular rapper Meek Mill once said, “There’s levels to this….” – you know the rest.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Mike Evans is going into his 10th year in the NFL – all with the Bucs. He’s just as an important figure on the field as he is off of it in the Tampa Bay community.

On the field, Evans is the greatest offensive player in franchise history, and a future Bucs Ring of Honor member. He’s broken a number of team records including total touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions. His NFL record of nine consecutive seasons (and counting) of 1,000-yard seasons to begin a career is his ticket to the Hall of Fame, especially if he can do it for another season or two.

Off the field, Evans has built a profound reputation as one of the most helpful and selfless human beings around. His organization with his wife Ashli, called the Mike Evans Family Foundation, has provided tons of help for the youth over the years, whether it’s giving presents to kids for Christmas or granting scholarships to students looking to attend college.

Most recently, Mike and Ashli Evans awarded $170,000 worth of scholarships to 15 different students on Wednesday. They are constantly active in the community, throwing events during Christmas time and over the summer to raise money for their foundation.

Evans has assisted the Bucs in a number of different ways, always willing to restructure his contract so the Bucs can get more cap room to sign other players. He’s also never caused a stir when either the Bucs had losing seasons before winning the Super Bowl in 2020, or when Tampa Bay would bring in high-profile talent that may have meant Evans seeing less targets in the passing game. Either way, Evans still found a way to have elite production while being so unselfish at a position that is typically all about ego.

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

That’s why it is almost shocking to think that Evans could play somewhere else. His salary cap hit is $23.7 million this year, and the Bucs would love to clear some salary cap space with an extension that could lower that number in 2023. But again, he’s been willing to restructure so many times that he has another $12 million coming to him next season due to voidable contract years.

Evans turned 30 on August 21 and is probably looking at the last big pay day of his career. For all he’s done as a player, he’s well within his rights to request a high number. His fellow wide receiver Chris Godwin signed a three-year $60 million deal in 2022 and is getting $20 million per year. One would have to imagine that Evans wants even more than that number, and the four-time Pro Bowler well deserving of it too.

The Bucs also have to understand that while Evans is still at the apex of his football career, anything long term after two or three seasons would likely see a decline in his play just based on his advancing age.

Evans and Godwin will both be integral parts to the Bucs this season as the team finds itself at a crossroads with new quarterback Baker Mayfield and new offensive coordinator Dave Canales. The Bucs still have a core group together on offense and defense, but another poor season that doesn’t meet expectations could see head coach Todd Bowles let go and the Bucs going in another direction.

Hard To Imagine The Bucs Letting Mike Evans Go

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

Not all hope is lost in these contract talks. One thing to keep in mind is that Deryk Gilmore is going public with this as a negotiating tactic to put fuel to the fire for the Bucs. Obviously giving a strict deadline makes this situation much more serious. If Tampa Bay really wants to hold onto Mike Evans, the team could franchise him after the season, which would cost the Bucs $28.4 million.

Another option is to work out an extension in the offseason prior to free agency, or let Evans enter free agency and then hope to re-sign him then while he has competing offers from other teams. That is a far riskier strategy for Tampa Bay, and one the team will likely try to avoid. Yet the Bucs have done this in recent years with cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean and linebacker Lavonte David, and it was worked out well, re-signing those players to deals under the cost of what was projected for each player.

While it is a business, there’s also a sentimental value when it comes to Evans. He was the first pick made by general manager Jason Licht when he joined the Bucs in 2014. It would be difficult to see Evans end his career outside of Tampa Bay.

The idea of Evans playing for any team other than the Bucs is hard to imagine. But it becomes a possibility if both sides can’t come to an agreement by next week.