Mike Evans was keen on testing free agency and was going to do so had someone close to him not talked him out of it.
The wide receiver will be remaining with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though he would have likely gotten more money elsewhere and probably could have gotten an opportunity to return home to Texas as the Houston Texans were thought to be interested in his services.
Since going pro, Evans has never been a free agent and said free agency was a “cool dream,” adding that “Tampa is my home.”
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His wife, Ashli, talked him out of testing the free agency waters to give himself a chance at another dream: beginning and ending his career with the Bucs. He ended up signing a two-year deal worth $41 million with the team.
“I don’t want to say I was waiting for my wife to speak up, but she just planted it,’’ he said on Friday, per the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. “These things are just like day and night. You have to think about it. We were thinking, and it just hit her and she said, ‘Maybe we should stay in Tampa, babe.’
“I mean, I wanted to be in Tampa, and they offered me great money. It wasn’t about the money. I just wanted to see everything as a whole, and if we were going to get Baker [Mayfield] back and things like that. But I know I can play with whoever is at quarterback. Obviously, I hope it’s Baker.’’
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The 30-year-old is the first player in NFL history to start a career with 10 straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Keeping him in Tampa will likely help the Bucs retain Baker Mayfield, who has said he would like to continue playing with the star wide receiver.
Also Read: REPORT: Unexpected AFC Team Emerges As Sleeper To Land Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield In Free Agency
