National Football League

Bucs keep WR Mike Evans with two-year, $41 million contract

Updated Mar. 5, 2024 1:56 p.m. ET

TAMPA — The Bucs pulled off a surprise resolution ahead of NFL free agency, working out a deal to keep Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans in Tampa.

Evans, 30, was prepared to hit free agency for the first time in his 10-year career next week, but on Monday he agreed to a two-year deal worth $41 million, with the chance to max out at $52 million with incentives and escalators. For now, it makes him the Bucs' highest-paid player by annual value, exceeding receiver Chris Godwin's $20 million per year.

Evans was ranked by FOX Sports as the No. 10 overall free agent in this year's class, and he's the highest-ranked free agent on the list to re-sign with his team.

Both sides had expressed interest in keeping Evans in Tampa as he has rewritten all the team's receiving records in his 10 seasons, including career touchdown receptions (94), receptions (762) and receiving yards (11,680). He earned his fifth Pro Bowl nod this past season after tying for the NFL lead with 13 touchdown catches.

Evans' signing could serve as a domino to the Bucs re-signing other core players, most importantly quarterback Baker Mayfield, who set career highs in touchdowns and passing yards in leading Tampa to its third straight division title. All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield received the team's franchise tag on Tuesday while the two sides continue to work on a long-term contract.

Keeping the remaining leadership from the Bucs' 2020 Super Bowl team is a major part of Tampa Bay's offseason, but it will be an expensive campaign. The Bucs had just one player making $20 million a year last season — Godwin — but could easily have five in 2024: Godwin, Evans, Mayfield, Winfield and tackle Tristan Wirfs, who's in line for a major contract to reset the high for his position.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht said at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week that the team knew it might have to "strain" to keep Evans but wanted to keep him in Tampa for his entire career. This deal allows Evans to be a free agent again in 2026 at age 32, but the priority will be keeping him in Tampa.

Greg Auman is FOX Sports' NFC South reporter, covering the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. He is in his 10th season covering the Bucs and the NFL full-time, having spent time at the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.