Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are actively working to re-sign five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans, who is scheduled for free agency in a little over two weeks. "He's an unprecedented player. We want him to be a Buc for life. We're working towards that," general manager Jason Licht said. "Obviously it takes two sides. I know he wants to be a Buc. We'll probably have to strain a little bit but we're working towards that right now." The two sides worked unsuccessfully to work out a deal before the start of last season, but he still put together one of the best seasons of his career in 2023 with 13 TDs, which tied for the league lead. The 30-year-old pass-catcher has reached 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th straight season -- an NFL record for the start of a career and one shy of tying Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's overall record. Evans has shown no signs of slowing down.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and impending free-agent quarterback Baker Mayfield have started "preliminary talks about a new contract" this offseason. General manager Jason Licht is expected to meet with Mayfield's representation during the NFL scouting combine next week. After the 28-year-old Mayfield had a career season in his first year in Tampa in 2023, it's expected that there is mutual interest in a reunion for 2024 and beyond. Mayfield had a career-high 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions and even led the Bucs to a wild-card playoff victory over the Eagles. The former No. 1 overall pick won't have offensive coordinator Dave Canales working with him in 2024, though, and there's a possibility he'll also lose top wideout Mike Evans in free agency. Mayfield's fantasy appeal as a solid QB2 would take a big hit if he doesn't have Evans to rely on.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans appears to be headed towards free agency this offseason. The original expectation was that the Bucs would place the franchise tag on Evans to prevent him from going into free agency. Due to his 2023 cap number, Evans is projected to make $28.4 million instead of $21.6 million, assuming the Bucs place the franchise tag on him. That said, it seems increasingly unlikely that the Bucs will place the tag on Evans this offseason. Possibly, the two sides will agree on an extension this offseason. Otherwise, we could see the veteran wideout in a different uniform next season.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the inside track to re-sign quarterback Baker Mayfield, who will become an unrestricted free agent in March. Mayfield had a career year in his first season in Tampa in 2023, and although he lost offensive coordinator Dave Canales, he'll now be working with Liam Coen, who he spent time with at the tail end of the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams. The Buccaneers could use the franchise tag on Mayfield in 2024 in order to keep him around. Mayfield has also gone on record saying he wants the team to bring back receiver Mike Evans, who will be a free agent as well when the new league year begins. Tampa has roughly $35 million available in salary cap space for the upcoming season. The best-case scenario for Mayfield and his fantasy value as a high-end QB2 will be a return to Tampa.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers new offensive coordinator Liam Coen said that he's hopeful the team will be able to re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Mike Evans. Evans is still one of the best receivers in the game, so it's no wonder Coen would like to work with him in his first year coordinating Tampa's offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had a career year for the Bucs in 2023, is also a free agent that the team is hoping to bring back. Whether or not Evans returns will have a big impact on the team's offensive direction in 2024 and beyond. The 30-year-old five-time Pro Bowler has hit the 1,000-yard mark in all 10 of his NFL seasons and will be looking to make it 11 straight in 2024 for whichever team he's playing for.