NFL Trade Rumors: Will Bucs trade Mike Evans? NFL insider reveals odds on possible move
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, like every other NFL team, can now focus on preparing for the 2023-2024 season now that the 2022-2023 season is over.
The priority is to create cap space and stay under the cap limit. The salary cap increased to $224.8 million this season, a $16 million increase from last season.
The Buccaneers are currently in one of the worst positions of any team this offseason. They currently have the second-lowest cap space, at -$55 million. Only the Saints are in a worse position, as they are -$57 million in debt.
Estimated 2023 Cap Space
1. #Bears, $98M
2. #Falcons, $56M
3. #Bengals, $44.5M*
4. #Giants, $44.4M
5. #Patriots, $38M
...
30. #Jaguars, -$32M
31. #Buccaneers, -$55M
32. #Saints, -$57M
*reserve/future contracts not yet included
bit.ly/2OS6q21
While the Bucs are in a tough situation, they'll have to re-work contracts, release some players, and potentially trade some players.
Greg Auman, a reporter for Fox Sports, said it would be illogical to trade away star wide receiver Mike Evans due to them only freeing up $2 million in cap space. Rick Stroud, a reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, thinks that the team should trade him because they could get two first-round picks in exchange for him.
Stroud Tweeted:
"Nothing but talk show fodder and illogical. They’re $55 million over the salary cap now. So you lose the player in a trade and add $21 million of dead money. Heard a host suggest they could get two first round picks for Evans. Do people find value in this fantasy?"
Nothing but talk show fodder and illogical. They’re $55 million over the salary cap now. So you lose the player in a trade and add $21 million of dead money. Heard a host suggest they could get two first round picks for Evans. Do people find value in this fantasy? twitter.com/gregauman/stat…
Would a team really give up two first-round picks for Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans?
Mike Evans has been one of the best wide receivers in the last 10 seasons and potentially in Buccaneers history.
He was the team's first-round pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He holds the record for the most consecutive 1,000 plus yard seasons for a wide receiver with nine.
With 83 receiving yards today, Buccaneers WR Mike Evans would reach 1,000 for the season.
It would mark the 9th straight season to begin his career with 1,000 receiving yards, extending his own NFL record.
Incredible production from the day he reached the NFL. https://t.co/2eNSTh6Dhy
In his career, he has 683 catches for 10,425 yards and 81 touchdowns. He's a four-time Pro Bowler who has also been selected as an All-Pro once.
Despite his accomplishments and consistency, it's hard to imagine that the team would get two first-round picks in compensation for him.
At age 29, Evans is only continuing to age, and he's benefiting from having Tom Brady and Jameis Winston throw him the ball for most of his career.
Nevertheless, it would be interesting to see what the Bucs can get back in return for Evans.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Rick Stroud and H/T Sportskeedsa