After signing a two-year contract extension worth at least $21 million per season on Friday, Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans turned his attention to what’s next. baker mayfield And he expressed a desire to see the free agent quarterback return to Tampa Bay.
“Of course, absolutely. Me and Baker, we played one season together and I feel like we can build on what we did last year,” Evans said. “I’d love to have him back if I could – he’s a hell of a player. Thank you. [him].They’re going to handle their own process and I trust Jason. [Licht] And the front office no matter what happens. ”
Evans will have a Pro Bowl season in 2023, his 10th year with the Bucs. 79 receptions, 1,255 yards (15.9 average), 13 touchdowns Mayfield will have a career season with Tampa Bay in 2023 after signing a one-year contract with a base salary of $4 million and incentives for a total value of nearly $8 million.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield at the Pro Bowl – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Mayfield, who turns 29 in April, threw for 4,000 yards for the first time in his six-year NFL career, with a career-high 28 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. The former No. 1 overall pick helped the Bucks win the NFC South for the third straight year, defeating Philadelphia in the wild-card round of the playoffs, but losing to Detroit in the postseason divisional round. His season culminated in his first Pro Bowl appearance and was named the game’s Offensive MVP.
Evans believes the pair can continue that kind of success in 2024.
Last week, during contract negotiations with the Buccaneers, Evans said he didn’t want to play with a rookie QB at this stage of his career, only with elite QBs. In a press conference Friday, he called Mayfield an elite quarterback.
“That’s right,” Evans said. “It’s on record that I’ve played with a lot of quarterbacks throughout my career, so it doesn’t matter. No matter who the quarterback is, he’s an NFL quarterback. But yeah, me and Baker, We have a really good relationship. I think he’s an elite quarterback.”
Mike Evans says he wants Baker Mayfield back with Bucks
![Mike Evans calls Baker Mayfield an 'elite QB' 3 Bucs WR Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Evans-Mike-Baker-Mayfield-Bucs-Jags-celebrate-300x199.jpg)
Bucs WR Mike Evans and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
Mike Evans’ two-year contract extension with the Bucks is worth at least $42 million, with the possibility of more if certain incentives are met. But during the negotiation phase, Evans was just as interested in whether the team had plans to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield as he was in what the Bucs offered contract-wise.
“Obviously I wanted to stay in Tampa and they offered me a lot of money,” Evans said. “It wasn’t even about the money. I just wanted to look at the big picture. Can we get Baker back? Things like that. But you know any quarterback can play with anybody. Of course, that’s Baker. I hope so, but if not, I can make it work.”
Evans said he had been in contact with Mayfield during the pre-free agency period.
“Me and Baker talk,” Evans said. “I just want what’s best for him. I think the best thing for him is to play with me and Chris. [Godwin]But there are a lot of great receivers in this league who could use his services. ”
Bucs general manager Jason Licht was asked if there was a connection between re-signing Evans and the increased likelihood of Mayfield signing a contract extension with Tampa Bay.
![Mike Evans calls Baker Mayfield an 'elite QB' 4 Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans](https://www.pewterreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mayfield-Baker-Mike-Evans-Bucs-OTA-no-helmets-300x200.jpg)
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and WR Mike Evans – Photo by Cliff Welch/PR
“I think there’s a connection between the two of them because they liked each other and played well with each other. But again, it doesn’t happen automatically.” Licht said. “I don’t take anyone here for granted. It’s a good start. He’s a good player to throw to. Who wouldn’t want to throw to him? But Baker, for himself… A decision has to be made.”
On Friday, Richt seemed pretty optimistic about Mayfield re-signing with the Bucks.
“I’m generally a confident person, so I’m confident that I can move forward and do my best,” Richt said.
Evans went a step further and predicted Mayfield would return to Tampa Bay.
“I mean, I’m very confident,” Evans said Friday. “I’m not 100 percent, but he played really well for us last year. The city embraced him and the players loved him. Hopefully we get him back. But he should do what is best for him. ”