Before wide receiver Mike Evans' re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mike Evans hit the airwaves, general manager Jason Licht first told NHL great Wayne Gretzky about the March 2 encounter when he and Gretzky, known as “The Great One”, took part in Tampa Bay Lightning's fishing tournament to benefit pediatric cancer research. Evans officially re-signed with the Buccaneers on Friday on a two-year, $52 million contract. Jason Licht “I was standing at the bar talking to Wayne Gretzky without realizing it was him,” Licht told reporters on Friday the news.
. “I had to take a phone call. I think it was [assistant GM] Mike Greenberg … and I went outside, and [Evans’ agents] and Mike [Greenberg] had agreed to terms. I went back, and I was fist-bumping and all that, and I told Wayne Gretzky that we were signing Mike back. And he said, ‘Well, he’s a great one.” The whole story stood out to Evans, who also spoke with the media on Friday. Despite 10-consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, a Super Bowl victory, and five Pro Bowl appearances, Evans arguably remains underappreciated in the national media and discussions about the greatest receivers of all time. head coach Jon Cooper“That was crazy,” Evans said Friday after hearing the Gretzky story. “I said, ‘Wow, Wayne Gretzky knows who I am?’” Of course, Evans played three seasons with the GOAT, Tom Brady, which can’t hurt for recognition. That said, Evans feels he has more to prove entering his 11th season in the league.“There’s much more for me to pursue and a lot more that I have to prove to myself and the fan base,” Evans said. “I left a lot on the table last year, and I know there’s some things I can do this offseason to rectify that. Have better focus and be in a little bit better shape, I can definitely be better than I was last year.”
Mike Evans Sought Wife’s Input on Free Agency Decision For Evans to stay in Tampa, it took input from his wife, Ashli. The couple has been married since 2016, and they have three children.“I don’t want to say I was waiting for my wife to speak up, but she just dropped it,” Evans said. “These things are just like, day and night you have to think about it. We were thinking, and it just hit her and she said, ‘Maybe we should stay in Tampa, babe.’”
“I mean, I wanted to be in Tampa, and they offered me great money. It wasn’t about the money. I just wanted to see everything as a whole, and if we were going to get [quarterback] Baker [Mayfield] back and things like that. But I know I can play with whoever is at quarterback. Obviously, I hope it’s Baker.”
Mike Evans on Baker Mayfield: ‘I’m Not 100%’
“I’m extremely confident,” Evans said. “I’m not 100%, but he played really great for us last year. The city took him in, the players loved him. Hopefully, we get him back, but he should do what’s best for him.” Tom BradyRegardless, Evans has displayed remarkable consistency in Tampa, regardless of who has thrown him the ball, from Jameis Winston to Brady to Mayfield.
Before wide receiver Mike Evans re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hit the airwaves, general manager Jason Licht first informed NHL great Wayne Gretzky about the news.
Mike Evans Sought Wife’s Input on Free Agency Decision
For Evans to stay in Tampa, it took input from his wife, Ashli. The couple has been married since 2016, and they have three chidden.
“I don’t want to say I was waiting for my wife to speak up, but she just planted it,” Evans said. “These things are just like, day and night you have to think about it. We were thinking, and it just hit her and she said, ‘Maybe we should stay in Tampa, babe.’”
“I mean, I wanted to be in Tampa, and they offered me great money. It wasn’t about the money. I just wanted to see everything as a whole, and if we were going to get [quarterback] Baker [Mayfield] back and things like that. But I know I can play with whoever is at quarterback. Obviously, I hope it’s Baker.”
Mike Evans on Baker Mayfield: ‘I’m Not 100%’
The Buccaneers have yet to re-sign Mayfield, who had a career year last season amid 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns.
“I’m extremely confident,” Evans said. “I’m not 100%, but he played really great for us last year. The city took him in, the players loved him. Hopefully, we get him back, but he should do what’s best for him.”
Either way, Evans has been a model of consistency in Tampa whoever has thrown him the ball from Jameis Winston to Brady to Mayfield.
