Mike Evans, Agent Set Hard Deadline on New Contract With Buccaneers
After 9 seasons of prolific production, supreme consistency, and selfless leadership in Tampa Bay, it appears as though the greatest receiver in the history of the Buccaneers, Mike Evans, believes it's time to pay the piper.
Beyond his elite performance on the field, Evans' role as a leader on the team, and in the community, has cemented his status as one of the most beloved Buccaneers of all-time.
The opposite of a 'diva wide receiver', Mike Evans has shown a willingness to sacrifice his own earnings in order to put the team's needs first throughout the course of his career. It's something that is practically unheard of in the modern era of professional sports.
Now, just over a week before the 2023 season is set to begin, it appears as though Mike believes it's finally time to get his.
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At least according to his agent, Deryk Gilmore, of Day 1 Sports and Entertainment.
In a statement released by Gilmore, Evans' agent suggests that Mike is frustrated with a lack of contract offer by the Bucs, and his representation plans to cut off all negotiations with the Buccaneers if a new contract is not reached by Saturday, September 9th -- one day before the team's Week 1 game vs. the Minnesota Vikings.
The statement presents an aggressive stance that we have not seen at any point from Evans or his agent throughout his nine seasons as a Buccaneer.
"Despite our efforts over the past two years, and the professionalism of Bucs General Manager, Jason Licht, and Assistant General Manager, Mike Greenberg, we have not received an offer to stay in Tampa. This is disappointing to Mike as he sees other teams step up to keep key pieces and players that are important to their organizations. Many players with his status would have held out of camp to not risk injury, but Mike has continued practicing hard, as always, because he puts his team first. When you have a player that will be a Hall of Famer and still has four to six more years to make an impact in the league, you move Heaven and Earth to keep him on your team, and we would hope ownership feels the same way."
Although some have suggested this is more of a tactic designed by the agent, Gilmore ultimately contends that is not the case, and this is very much a real 'threat' on behalf of his client.
"We have been working on extending Mike's career with the Bucs for over a year, and we want the fans to know this is not a tactic and the ball is in the owner's court. That said, we are giving the Bucs until the start of the regular season to make him a Buc for Life, and if that cannot happen, 100 percent of Mike's focus will be on football and his future and where he can continue to make an impact."
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When word first surfaced late Thursday night that Evans was getting frustrated with his contract status, chances are most fans just shrugged their shoulders and assumed he would fall in line for this season, and a deal would be reached before next season.
The verbiage presented in this statement by Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, presents a far more troubling circumstance.
It's a new challenge for the Buccaneers -- with Mike Evans and his representation playing hardball -- because if they aren't willing to meet these demands, the greatest receiver in the history of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise could very well be suiting up for another team next season.
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