With Evans now secured for two more years, Tampa Bay's front office can turn its full attention to quarterback. The club made an unexpected run to the divisional round behind standout play from Baker Mayfield, and it now must choose whether to try to build on that performance or go a different direction under center.
CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones noted that Evans' return should make it easier for the Bucs to lure Mayfield back. The two established instant rapport and connected for 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and 13 scores in their first season together.
Earlier this offseason, Mayfield emphasized the importance of the Buccaneers retaining Evans.
"We've both voiced our opinions that we want to be together, but it's got to be the right way," Mayfield told NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano and Daniel Jeremiah. "Mike deserves to be a Buccaneer for life. He's done so much for that community, so much for the franchise. He's put his time in. I can't say enough about the guy as a player, and just as a guy in general."
Mayfield provided an immense return on investment after signing a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million last offseason. He started all 17 games and went 9-8 while earning his first ever Pro Bowl nod.
The 28-year-old is now poised to make far more in his second foray into free agency in as many years following a career-best 4,044-yard, 28-touchdown campaign.
The Bucs are in good shape to offer Mayfield a market-value extension. Spotrac projects him as being worth $27.1 million annually, and Tampa still has an estimated $44 million in cap space.
If Mayfield walks, Tampa's best alternative options are either shelling out an untenable $40 million per year for Kirk Cousins or rolling the dice on a developmental prospect with the No. 26 overall pick. It would thus behoove the organization to keep Mayfield around for at least two more seasons to continue his partnership with Evans.
