The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a surprising playoff run in the 2023 season. The Buccaneers even pulled off an upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round.
Tampa Bay locked in Baker Mayfield as its quarterback with a three-year $100 million extension earlier this offseason. Mayfield had a great year, completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
The Bucs were also able to re-sign their star wide receiver, Mike Evans. After a phenomenal season, Evans inked a two-year $52 million deal.
The 30-year-old finished the 2023 season with 79 receptions for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns. Evans is one of the league’s best and most underrated wide receivers.
He is a big-play threat and a physical wideout who significantly impacts Tampa Bay’s offense.
The Buccaneers have a talented team, and one of their all-time great players, Evans, is in historic company.
With that in mind, here is why Evans is being compared to Randy Moss and Jerry Rice.
Evans joins elite WR company
Evans joins Randy Moss and Jerry Rice as the only players with ten seasons or more with 1,000+ yards. Moss and Evans have each done it 10 times, while Rice has done it 14 times.
Evans has only played 10 seasons in the league, meaning he has gone over 1,000 yards in every season of his career.
Evans has showcased his loyalty to the Buccaneers franchise.
After re-signing, Evans stated (via Fox Sports), “Obviously, it’s been well-known that I wanted to be a Buc for my whole career,” he said. “It’s very rare that you stay with one team your entire career, but it’s something that was a goal of mine and this is one step closer to one of my biggest goals. … All the coaches I’ve had, all my teammates, I’m really appreciative of what they’ve meant to me and done for me throughout my time here.”
The veteran receiver is building a Hall of Fame resume, and he is doing it with one franchise. Evans, the six-foot-five wideout, is a five-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.
The Buccaneers have a promising season ahead and could be a contender in the NFC.
With Mike Evans compiling a great career, he already finds himself among two of the best receivers ever in Moss and Rice.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
