All eyes are on Las Vegas and Super Bowl 58 this weekend, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are more concerned with the offseason and how they can put together a group that will still be playing this time next year.
The first step in doing so is determining how to get back Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans. Both are slated to become free agents next month, and neither should be allowed to leave if the Bucs want to genuinely compete for the Super Bowl next year.
It’s a chicken-and-egg situation, though, because the question is which player will sign his new contract first. Baker appears to be a safer bet than Evans, who is still linked to teams such as the Jets, Chiefs, and Texans.
However, both should be back in Tampa Bay, and it appears like Baker is using his influence to persuade the Bucs’ front office to act appropriately.
Baker Mayfield claims’sacrifices’ will be made to get Mike Evans back in Tampa Bay.
While speaking with Dan Patrick on Media Row in Las Vegas, Baker laid out what it would take to get Evans back with the Bucs and how far he would go.
“Oh, I believe there will be sacrifices along the way. “There are mutual benefits to us getting back together,” Baker stated.
That certainly sounds like he’s willing to accept less money on his new contract — or agree to a certain structure — in order to bring Evans back. Baker has been extremely open about how essential it is to him that Evans return to Tampa Bay next season, and it appears that he is taking the next steps toward making a sales pitch.
Another factor to consider is the common perception that Baker has already psychologically returned to the Bucs. He hasn’t signed a new contract yet, but almost every sign points to it happening as soon as possible.
The new league year does not begin until March 11th, but the franchise tag deadline is a week earlier on March 5th. This is the Bucs’ first major checkpoint of the offseason, and Baker might be tagged.
Baker’s willingness to forgo some money on his contract to ensure Evans receives what he is owed — and returns to Tampa Bay — is just one more indication of why he is so popular in the Bucs locker room. It’s also a clear hint that he’s not just intending to return next year, but is all-in on developing a Super Bowl contender.
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