The New York Jets are interested in signing Mike Evans in free agency as the star receiver prepares to hit the open market after a decade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be getting a major boost this off-season. The Jets are said to be keen on pairing Rodgers with Mike Evans as the star receiver enters free agency.
Even though he had positive talks with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it’s looking likely that Evans will test the open market. The impressive 30-year-old has chalked up over 1,000 yards every season for 10 seasons, totting up 1,255 back in 2023 along with a record-breaking 13 touchdowns for the NFL.
As the Bucs are expected to slap the franchise tag on Antoine Winfield Jr., their safety, it means Evans is going to be available. It will be his first time as an unrestricted free agent in his glittering career.
Having been picked by them in 2014, Evans has been with Tampa Bay his entire career.. He’s a dedicated five-time Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro. Only recently, Jason Licht, Buc’s general manager, at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis was talking how much they want to keep him in Florida.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Jason described Mike as: “He’s an unprecedented player,” explaining, “We want him to be a Buc for life. We’re working towards that. 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.”
Evans, who last signed a five-year, £60 million contract before the 2018 season, is one of the top receivers in NFL since joining the Bucs ten years ago. He has lots of teams interested in signing him once he becomes a free agent, including his current team and maybe even the Jets.
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The Jets are eager to have a four-time MVP quarterback like Rodgers play alongside a star receiver like Evans. Last season, their general manager, Joe Douglas, tried to get Evans and another big star, Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Mike Evans is one of the best receivers in the NFL, putting up 10 successive years of over 1,000 yards receiving
However, neither the Bucs nor the Raiders wanted to part ways with their star players. After the trade deadline on October 31st, Douglas said: “There need to be buyers, there need to be sellers. We made a lot of inquiries and had a lot of discussions about a lot of different positions but ultimately didn’t get any other deals done. That’s where we are.”
Even months later, New York is still keen to sign another top-notch receiver to play alongside Garrett Wilson. As Rodgers gets ready for his first full season after recovering from an Achilles tear that ended his season in the first week, the Jets are hoping to make the most of his remaining playing days as the 40-year-old soon reaches the twilight of his career.
The Jets might be looking to sign a big name like Evans, especially after Rodgers had great success with Adams at the Green Bay Packers. Evans is thought to want a deal that matches the top receivers in the league. It’s not clear if the Jets will put a lot of resources into such a deal, but the AFC East franchise is definitely interested.
