As deadline nears, Buccaneers' Mike Evans seeking security - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — Speaking for the first time since his agent gave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a Saturday deadline for a new contract, wide receiver Mike Evans said Thursday he wants the security of a new deal so he can focus on the season.

«Obviously we've been working with them for over a year now, trying to get something done,» said Evans, who turned 30 last month and is entering his 10th season. «Any player in my position would want to be secure.»

Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, said that if a deal cannot be reached before Saturday they would be done negotiating for the year. As of Thursday afternoon, with the Bucs finalizing their preparations for Week 1 at the Minnesota Vikings, no deal had been reached.

«I don't know. We got a little bit of time left, but we'll see,» said Evans, who has continued to practice this week and practiced this summer despite the contract situation because he said he didn't want to leave new quarterback Baker Mayfield in a bind.

«I think as professionals, whenever you're here, you go out and you play. I don't know if there is a better example of that than Mike,» said wide receiver Chris Godwin, who Evans has mentored since 2017. «I feel like you wouldn't even recognize it in the building because of the way he handles himself. Again, that's a testament to him. He's obviously a pro.»

With his current contract set to expire March 13, Evans, a four-time Pro Bowler, could hit the open market. The Bucs could theoretically re-sign him to a new deal, or they could franchise tag him, so it's not a foregone conclusion that he'd be done with the Buccaneers after this season.

When asked if he would be open to returning next season if a deal didn't get done this year, Evans said, «Ownership and management are