Buccaneers Sign WR Mike Evans to 5-Year, $82.5 Million Extension

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are locking up their top wide receiver for a long time to come. Mike Evans agreed to a five-year contract extension worth an estimated $82.5 million through 2023 to keep him in Florida for the foreseeable future. The Bucs picked up his fifth-year team option but they didn’t even want to worry about him testing free agency next year.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the agreement.

The #Bucs deal for WR Mike Evans is expected to pay him just under $17M a year, sources say. Should put him right under Antonio Brown as the NFL’s highest paid player at his position.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2018

The #Bucs 5-year deal for WR Mike Evans is worth $82.5M, which is $16.5M per year. He gets $55M in guarantees. ?? … a target for Jameis Winston for a long time.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2018

The team later confirmed the news of Evans signing a new contract extension.

We've agreed to terms with WR @MikeEvans13_ through the 2023 campaign. ?#GoBucs?? pic.twitter.com/ExKlBjIEM4

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) March 9, 2018

Evans also took to Instagram to express his feelings on the deal.

Bucs Nation, I’m excited to announce I will be spending the next several seasons in Tampa Bay with the Buccaneers with one goal in mind: winning a Super Bowl with my teammates. I want to thank the Bucs, from the owners to the front office, for believing in me and allowing me to take care of my family. I want to also thank my agents; Deryk Gilmore and Darren Jones for all of their hard work. I’m going to continue to strive for greatness on the field as well as in my community.  #BUCSNATION! Check out details of the deal on www.MikeEvansOfficial.com

A post shared by Mike Evans (@mikeevans) on Mar 9, 2018 at 12:56pm PST

Since the Buccaneers selected the Texas A&M wideout with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft, he’s racked up 1,000 receiving yards in every season. His best year so far came in 2016 when he recorded 96 catches for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns and secured his first Pro Bowl selection and also received All-Pro honors.

The 24-year-old delivered a 2017 campaign where he tallied 71 receptions for 1,001 yards and five touchdowns across 15 appearances. He was suspended one game for his altercation with Marshon Lattimore.

Pro Football Focus graded him as the league’s 14th-best wideout. Alongside Desean Jackson as his receiver counterpart with standout tight ends Cameron Brate and OJ Howard and Jameis Winston at quarterback, Tampa Bay ranked fourth in yards per game (272.9) in 2017. But they did finish 5-11, so hopefully retaining Evans will help the Bucs turn the corner towards the postseason.