Former Buccaneer Believes Mike Evans Should Play for Detroit Lions

Appearing on the Up and Adams Show, former first-round pick and Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib said he thinks wide receiver Mike Evans should play for the Lions in 2023.

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and wide receiver Mike Evans in the midst of a contract staredown, speculation that the four-time Pro Bowler could be traded has never been more rampant. While it is unlikely, that won't stop the chatter on where he could end up if the Bucs do move on from the face of their franchise.

Former first-round pick of the Buccaneers, cornerback Aqib Talib is among those who think Evans moving to another team is a possibility. Appearing on the Up and Adams show with Kay Adams, Talib pointed out that at some point in every player's career, they will see the Business side of things. That's currently where Mike is at, at age 30, and asking for a big money deal.

"At some point in your career every player is going to run into the business side of football," Talib said. "It happens to the best of us. It's just the business side of the game."

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Talib who played for five NFL teams knows what it's like to see the game through another city. While Evans has maintained he wants to be a "Buc for Life", Talib thinks that perhaps seeing the NFL with another team as he chases a ring is intriguing to the 10-year veteran.

"If he's got to move around, he's been in Tampa all is life, maybe he wants to see the NFL from a different city," Talin said. "Go chase another ring Mike you deserve it. He's an excellent player and he's still putting up numbers consistently."

While Evans wants to finish his career as a Buccaneer, if things don't work out on the business side and it's time for a change in scenery, Talib thinks a move to the NFC North would be a perfect spot for the wide receiver. 

"If I was Mike I would go to a nice low-key team who can afford me first of all," Talib said. "I can make my money and I can go contend. They've got a quarterback who can throw pretty accurate and who can catch a wave. I'd go to Detroit. I'd get a phone call to Detroit and I'd see what's up with them. It's a nice hungry team and i think they're going to compete in the NFC, they're definitely going to compete in the NFC North this year and you add Mike Evans to that."

The Lions have made all the right moves in the last few seasons building the team the right way. With Aaron Rodgers now out of the division the NFC North is wide open. With the pieces they already have in place, Talib thinks Evans can help them compete 

"They already brought back Marvin Jones," Talib said. "Have two nice vets on the roster, kind of older in age they can kind of play off each other. They've got the young guys over there St.Brown, Jameson Williams. Quarterback over there, got the O-line over there. They're going to compete this year."

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Adding a talented receiver like Evans to an offense that already has several playmakers could give the Lions the edge they're looking for. Talib thinks the Lions are going to be in the thick of things come the end of the year but trading for Evans could get them over the hump.

"This is a good team," Talib said. "It's a well-coached team. a physical powerhouse in my opinion. I like Detroit. I like what they're doing and I think they'll be one of the final four teams in the NFC. You add a guy like Mike Evans and I don't know what they can do. A guy like that can get you over the top and you can compete for the Lombardi."

You can follow JC Allen on Twitter @JCAllenNFL.

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