Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans enters year 10 in Tampa Bay in search of a new contract extension and looking to build on his Hall of Fame case. Evans is well on his way to Canton if continues his career trajectory. He already has 10,452 yards and 81 touchdowns through his first nine years in the NFL – all of those seasons have produced at least 1,000 yards, which is an NFL record.

With just four more 1,000-yard seasons, Evans, who doesn’t even turn 30 until later in August, will have 14,452 career receiving yards. That will place him 10th all-time in NFL history, just behind Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (14,580) and ahead of Reggie Wayne (14,345).

“I didn’t know what I needed, but I know I am close to getting to that, and that means a lot to me,” Evans said. “You know I’m a fan of the game. I always have been. You know I’ve respected the game, and you know, hopefully, God willing I can stay healthy and I’ll get it done.”

In order to accomplish that feat in red and pewter, Evans will need a contract extension first. He’s entering the final year of his current deal, and the Bucs are in negotiations with his agent on a deal that is expected to pay him at least $20 million per year. Evans averaged $16.4 million per year on his last contract, and he’s currently the second-highest paid receiver in Tampa Bay behind Chris Godwin, who averages $20 million per year.

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

Mike Evans Is Upset With The Disrespect From The National Media

With Evans on a Hall of Fame path, he still doesn’t get the respect he deserves around the league. He was recently left off ESPN’s Top WRs list this offseason.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Evans recently took exception to that in an interview with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

“I know where I’m at,” Evans told ESPN. “My opinion matters more than anybody else because I watch all of these guys, and there are a lot of f-cking great players. But I’ll take myself over anybody. If people were in my situation, there’s only 5-10 guys in history who have done what I’ve done. It’s been a battle, but I enjoy it.”

Evans also took exception to the fact that many national media outlets, ESPN included, have the Bucs near the bottom of the offseason power rankings. Most media outlets are writing off the Bucs without Tom Brady, and suggesting the team is in a rebuilding mode.”

“Rebuilding? We are just trying to win right now,” Evans told ESPN. “I don’t know why people don’t see that. Win the division, after that people can take care of themselves.”

Mike Evans: “I’m Way Faster Than I Used To Be”

With one more 1,000-yard season, Mike Evans will tie Hall of Famer Randy Moss with 10 1,000-yard seasons in his career. Evans grew up idolizing Moss, who at 6-foot-5 and similarly built, was his favorite receiver.

“Arguably he’s the best receiver to ever play – or definitely Top 3 – in my opinion,” Evans said. “And just to be in the same breath as all these guys, it’s a tremendous honor. And I don’t take it for granted. It’s just cool – something me and my family and friends always talk about. It’s happening, so I’m just trying to do my best to make it all happen.”

Moss played 14 seasons in the NFL and recorded 15,292 career receiving yards, which ranks fourth in NFL history. Most of the receivers in the Top 10 played well into their 30s. How long does Evans envision his career lasting?

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

“At this point I’m just taking a year by year,” Evans said. “I mean I feel very youthful. 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. … I feel better than I did when I was younger – much better.”

Part of Evans’ success and sustained excellence has been learning how to take care of his body from veterans that he’s played with and learned from since being Tampa Bay’s first-round pick in 2014.

“It’s life – you know you live and you learn,” Evans said. “That’s what I’ve been doing. I did have a lot of great vets come in and show me the way, and I’ve picked their brains and seen what they’ve done. Tom [Brady], Gerald McCoy, Vincent Jackson, Shady (LeSean McCoy), you know all these guys – I got to see them prepare their bodies and things like that just to maintain their longevity. That’s been helpful.

“I got a chef. I got a chef in both places I live, so that’s helped me tremendously. And I work out way more than I did when I was younger.”

Young Bucs Players Want To Be Like Mike

Ten years ago, a young, 20-year old Mike Evans walked into Bucs team headquarters and was a wide-eyed rookie who got the chance to play alongside a Pro Bowl veteran receiver in Vincent Jackson, who took him under his wing. Now, Evans is the team legend who the younger Bucs gravitate towards due to his legendary status as the best offensive player in franchise history.

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

“I was the young player that looked up to a lot of veteran guys I got to play with on my team and play against,” Evans said. “That’s one of the coolest things, you know? Now everybody’s saying that they play with me on Madden, and they saw me when they were in middle school and high school. It’s wild to me, but it keeps me motivated – seeing all these young guys coming into the game, and they’re fighting, they’re hungry. That makes me even more hungry. It’s very humbling.”

Evans is showing the younger players what it’s like to be a professional and a great teammate. Even LeSean “Shady” McCoy, who is five years older than Evans, marveled at what a great teammate the Bucs’ star receiver is during the 2020 season they played in together, winning Super Bowl LV. In fact, McCoy said that Evans was the best teammate he’s ever had in his 12-year NFL career.

“I’ve always been a guy that wanted to win because I’ve been on a team that’s not winning, and it’s not as fun,” Evans said. “I’ve had some decent individual success, but I’d rather win all day.

“Shady, that’s my guy. Man, that’s a guy I’ve looked up to and was happy that I got to be able to play with him. He was so great for the locker room. I miss him a lot. Yeah, I miss Shady – great guy. Shout out to Shady for those kind words. He’s had a lot of teammates too, so that’s big.”

Mike Evans’ Generosity Extends To The Fans

Mike Evans is quite generous with his charitable endeavors through the Mike Evans Family Foundation, and he has been known for buying all of his teammates lavish gifts at Christmas. Last year, he purchased motorized scooters for every Bucs player.

Evans is also generous with his time with Bucs fans at training camp – signing autographs and routinely taking pictures for 30-40 minutes after long, hot practices. Not only does Evans love his teammates, he loves the team’s fans. One of those fans gave Evans, a noted Harry Potter fan, a cool Harry Potter hat after a recent practice.

“That’s what is one of the best parts about doing what I do,” Evans said. “Just the fans that really look up to me and want to know me, and have been following my career. You know, things like that. Every time I’m at practice and training camp somebody’s giving me something, or showing me a picture from nine or eight years ago. It’s cool to see things like that and it’s really humbling. It’s really an honor to have a great community like Tampa really rock with me and my family as they have.”

As Evans enters a milestone year in his Bucs career, he’s savoring every moment.

“You look up and you were just a rookie and now you’re year 10,” Evans said. “So that’s how all the vets explained it to me, and that’s what I’m explaining to the younger players. You’re going to look up, and time – it’s going to fly. It has flown by, so try not to take it for granted.”