One of the most consistent wide receivers of his generation, Mike Evans could have left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent during the 2024 offseason.
Instead, the veteran pass catcher decided to re-sign with the only NFL team he’s ever played for. Let’s examine Evans’ contract, salary, and more.
Mike Evans’ Contract and Salary
Evans wasn’t always a lock to return to Tampa Bay in 2024.
He engaged in extension negotiations with the Bucs before the 2023 campaign, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a deal. The New York Jets reportedly inquired about Evans during the summer and at the 2023 trade deadline to no avail.
In the end, Evans never even hit free agency. He re-signed with Tampa Bay before the market officially opened, inking a two-year deal worth $41 million, including $29 million in full guarantees.
Evans’ $20.5 million average annual value makes him the NFL’s 20th-highest-paid wide receiver in 2024.
Evans’ guarantee consists of his 2024 base salary ($1.21 million), a $21.79 million roster bonus paid out in two installments this year, and $6 million of his 2025 salary.
Another $6 million of his 2025 salary is already guaranteed for injury and will become fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2025 league year.
Tampa Bay included void years in Evans’ contract for the 2026, 2027, and 2028 seasons. He will still become a free agent after the 2025 campaign, but those void years allow the Bucs to spread his prorated signing bonus money across five years instead of the two that the deal actually covers.
Evans’ cap charge in 2024 is just $5.568 million before increasing to $22.358 million in 2025. If Tampa Bay fails to re-sign him, it will be left with $13+ million in dead money in 2026.
Because Evans posted at least 70 catches, 1,000 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns in 2024, his 2025 base salary increased from $18 million to $21 million. So when he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in Week 18, not only did he tie Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history, he also earned a $3 million bonus.
Evans can earn $2 million via incentives each season by finishing in the top 10 in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He can collect another $500,000 for each Bucs playoff victory, assuming he plays at least 65% of their regular-season snaps.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Washington Commanders Game Preview
- Location: Tampa, Raymond James Stadium
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Channel: NBC/Peacock
Now, Evans will try to lead the Buccaneers to victory over the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card Round.
The Commanders finished the season with the sixth-lowest turnover rate in the league, which puts the offense in a position to succeed as often as any. This fuels their fourth-place ranking in points per drive.
Daniels is already one of the elite dual-threat quarterbacks after one season. His scrambling has led to a ridiculous 56.0 EPA, while no other QB has more than 35.7 EPA on scrambles this year.
The Buccaneers had to sweat it out, but they got everything they could have hoped for in Week 18. The Bucs clinched the NFC South and got Mike Evans his record-tying 11th straight 1,000-yard receiving season.
The offense certainly earned the right to play postseason football. Baker Mayfield had a career year, joining Tom Brady as the only two players in franchise history with 40 passing touchdowns in a season. That allowed Tampa to post a top-five ranking in both EPA per rush and pass success rate.
On the season as a whole, the Commanders’ offensive line has done a good job in pass protection, given just how long Daniels holds the ball (3.01 seconds; seventh). Whether it’s in the face of the blitz or not, Daniels is in the top 10 for both in terms of time to throw (or be sacked).
The Buccaneers’ offensive line has undeniably been one of the most improved units in the NFL this season. They have been the NFL’s second-best unit over the past four weeks, including three games graded as B- or above.
Tampa Bay’s pressure rate (24.4%) is the lowest in the league, and they have impressive numbers whether facing the blitz or not.
The Commanders were a below-average defense for most of the season, which their final Defense+ ranking reflects (17th overall, Grade: C). Ultimately, Washington’s performance was largely fairly consistent based on their level of competition.
For the season, the Commanders ranked 24th in defensive EPA per dropback, the third-lowest among the 14 playoff teams.
Quietly, the Buccaneers defense has improved since returning from their bye in Week 12. A soft schedule helped, but the Bucs rank third in EPA per play, first in third-down defense, and fourth in red-zone defense over that span.
A Wild Card matchup against the likely Offensive Rookie of the Year will be a bigger test. However, the Bucs did hand Daniels and Co. a convincing defeat in Week 1.