Earlier this week, reports began to hit social media regarding the Bucs and top free agents Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield. These reports were largely centered on Tampa Bay and its top free agents being “far apart” on new deals ahead of the free agency period opening in March.

But that’s the thing: Free agency opens in earnest on March 11, which is still weeks away.

So yes, the Bucs — in search of the best possible deals — and both Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield — who are also in search of the best possible deals for themselves — are bound to be far apart in negotiations.

The Bucs needed to reach deals with Evans and Mayfield by Monday in order to avoid taking a big dead cap hit. But that was never likely to happen.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Tampa Bay took the salary cap hit (it would’ve had to at some point anyway – either in 2024 or down the road), but that doesn’t mean Evans and Mayfield are goners already. There’s still plenty of time for deals to be reached.

That’s a point that ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter made on Tuesday. Prior to an interview with Bucs running back Rachaad White on The Adam Schefter Podcast, Schefter spoke briefly about Tampa Bay’s free agency situation.

It was then that he made it very clear that it’s still early in the process and there is plenty of time before it’s worth worrying about the Bucs being “far apart” on deals with their quarterback and top wide receiver. As one of the most well-connected insiders in the sport, Schefter’s words carry a lot of weight.

“By the way, I meant to say this. I saw a headline on Monday, ‘Buccaneers, Mike Evans not close to a deal. Who cares? It’s February,” Schefter said. “They got time to figure this out. Here’s another headline: ‘Bucs and Mayfield not close to a deal.’ Again, who cares?

“Let’s see what happens as we get to the Combine in Indianapolis, as we get closer to the end of the franchise tag window, as we get into free agency. It’s a fluid, moving target, the offseason.”

It’s only been a little over four weeks since the Bucs’ season came to an end, so it’s still remarkably early in the offseason. There’s plenty of time for talks to intensify, movement to be made and deals to be reached. That’s why it’s currently not the time to panic about Tampa Bay’s chances of retaining Mayfield and Evans.

Bucs Have Time — And They Will Use It

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield at the Pro Bowl – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield said at the Pro Bowl that his agents and the Bucs had preliminary talks about a new contract early in the offseason, but those talks were held before offensive coordinator Dave Canales left to become the Panthers’ new head coach.

Mayfield has since restated his desire to remain with the Bucs and expressed his excitement about Tampa Bay hiring new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who he worked with briefly in Los Angeles.

But the soon-to-be 29-year-old quarterback also recently said the ball is in the Bucs’ court. He played things closer to the vest during interviews throughout Super Bowl Week in Las Vegas, as he should.

Evans has been far quieter about his future since the 2023 season began. His camp and Tampa Bay didn’t come to an agreement on a new deal before the season, prompting both sides to put talks on hold. Evans went on to have one of his best years in 2023, making the Pro Bowl once again and extending his 1,000-yard season streak to 10 straight.

After the Bucs’ season-ending loss to the Lions in the NFC Divisional Round, Evans also made it clear that he’d like to be back with Mayfield in 2024 and beyond. He hasn’t said much of anything publicly since and like his quarterback, he’s also smart to play this close to the vest.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

It’s fair to assume that when it comes down to it, both Mayfield and Evans want to remain in Tampa Bay. Mayfield has talked about his love for the organization and his teammates, plus his appreciation for the Bucs giving him a chance to revive his career in 2023.

Evans has been a career Buccaneer and is a surefire Ring of Honor inductee no matter what happens, but he’d surely like to be a one-team guy and retire with the organization that drafted him.

The money just has to be right. And Tampa Bay knows that. But the Bucs are also likely to take their time, using the Combine, the franchise tag period and the beginning of free agency to come to the right figures for both players.

And all along, it’s felt very likely that the team would let both actually test free agency. That way, they’ll get a sense of their value on the open market and come back to the Bucs with a number for the team to match and/or compete with.

It may make for some nervy days in March, but Tampa Bay has done that with Carlton Davis III, Jamel Dean and Lavonte David in recent years, and it’ll likely do it again. And that’s why being “far apart” on deals in mid-February isn’t cause for concern — not yet, anyway.