The Baltimore Ravens have been linked to some of the more experienced wide receivers on the free agrnt market in addition to their daliances with running backs like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley. Mike Evans looks ready to leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first time in his career.
Evans has performed well enough to be very picky about where his next paycheck is coming from. If he does leave Tampa Bay, joining a quarterback like Lamar Jackson might be enticing enough for Evans to spurn the rest of the league and put on Ravens purple.
According to Evans' agent, via insider Jordan Schultz, Evans is seeking an "elite quarterback" and an offense that will feature him prominently in free agency. Evans doesn't want to deal with a young quarterback, as he is set entirely on competing for yet another championship.
The Ravens check all of these boxes, as they could use a star wide receiver and a physical body who has past experience winning a championship. The near-unanimous MVP in Jackson as the quarterback would also help check that box in quite an emphatic fashion.
Just spoke with Mike Evans’ agent, @DerykGilmore, who says: “Mike wants to play with an elite quarterback in an offense that will showcase him — and be paid like a top wide receiver. He doesn’t want to play with a rookie QB. Winning a Super Bowl is a key priority.”
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 2, 2024
Evans is… https://t.co/HUC7dmlIWd
Baltimore Ravens could land Mike Evans after QB preferences revealed
Evans led the league with 13 touchdown receptions next to Baker Mayfield last season, and he's hit that 13-score benchmark in three of his past four seasons. In all 10 seasons with Tampa Bay, Evans recorded at least 71 catches and 1,000 yards to establish himself as a paragon of consistency.
While Tampa Bay figures to contend for NFC South titles, it seems hard to envision Mayfield leading them to a Super Bowl win. With Evans' name all over the franchise record books and his championship already secured, all Tampa can offer him right now are paychecks and familiarity.
Coming to Baltimore would help Evans compete for another title while maintaining his status as an elite No. 1 wide receiver. Evans, who has a history with Ravens OC Todd Monken during his days in the same position with the Buccaneers, would become the best wide receiver Jackson has ever played with.
Even as he starts to begin the back-nine of his NFL career, Evans' 2023 campaign showed that he is still one of the best outside receivers and end zone threats the game has to offer. With Jackson throwing him the ball, the Ravens' passing game will be as lethal as it has ever been.