Wide receiver Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been named the next

Wide receiver Mike Evans’ increasingly dismal future with the Tampa Bay Bucs could be advantageous to an NFC South rival.

According to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, Evans, who is eligible for free agency in March, feels that the Carolina Panthers are the “best team fit.” Bowen shares his thoughts less than a day after Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz disclosed that the Buccaneers and Evans’ camp “remain far apart” in their contract negotiations.

“Evans may follow Panthers coach Dave Canales to Carolina. He had 1,255 receiving yards and a league-high 13 touchdown catches in the same offensive system last season in Tampa Bay,” Bowen said. “As a multiple-level target with red zone upside, Evans would be an instant [and necessary] upgrade for Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.” He is still performing at an exceptionally high caliber.

There might not be many wins anytime soon for the Panthers—they were a dismal 2-15 in 2023—but Evans could

With their $35.62 million in cap space and a plethora of free agents, Tampa Bay may find it impossible to afford him.

Evans is asking a high price of $23.8 million annually, or $95.34 million for a four-year contract, based on Spotrac’s forecasts. The eight2.5 million dollar contract he now has with the Buccaneers is set to expire in March.

His agent set a deadline for contract negotiations before Week 1 of the 2023 season, which the Buccaneers were unable to meet. Both former teammate Rob Gronkowski and current player Baker Mayfield expressed their desire for Evans to finish his career with the Buccaneers, and Evans received encouragement from them during Super Bowl week.

Because of “not getting a deal done” on Monday, Schultz claims Tampa Bay will face a $7.4 million dead cap charge for 2024, which will have an influence on Evans’ contract due to a “soft deadline.” Though Schultz says that “talks will continue,” Evans is currently

While Schultz and Bowen speculate that Evans’ future in Tampa Bay may be questionable, the ESPN free agency projection suggested that the Buccaneers would probably be able to keep onto other key players. Bowen reports that Mayfield safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and seasoned linebacker Lavonte David will remain with the Buccaneers.

“Mayfield’s play in the second half of the previous season and his outstanding postseason footage, which includes two postseason games with over 300 passing yards, may make him a target for free agency. Bowen continued, “I think Mayfield may continue to put up big numbers in this new Tampa Bay system because it fits his aggressive throwing mindset behind schemed verticals and defined play-action ideas.”

Re-signing a young player who “played a significant role as a three-level defender in Todd Bowles’ defensive system” makes sense, according to Bowen, given Winfield is “into his peak playing years.” Winfield’s career statistics—15 sacks, 7 interceptions, and 11 forced fumbles—speak for themselves, as Bowen pointed out.

With regard to David, Bowen believes the seasoned veteran will sign a one-year contract. According to Bowen, he “can key and diagnose at the second level with speed and join the front as a blitzer,” making him “an essential member of Bowles’ defense.”

Matthew Davis covers the NFL for Heavy.com, focusing on the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Francisco 49ers. As a contributing writer for the Star Tribune since 2016, he has also covered Minnesota prep athletics. More details on Matthew Davis