Jenna Laine, ESPN Group of workers Essayist
DETROIT — Moments later the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ season ended with a 31-23 playoff divisional loss on the Detroit Lions, lecturer Todd Bowles stated quarterback Baker Mayfield earned the proper to go back in 2024.
Mayfield, who was once on a one-year do business in with Tampa, has indicated he wish to go back, as would large receiver Mike Evans, regardless of the closing being unsatisfied initially of the season for no longer getting a untouched agreement prior to Moment 1.
“He most definitely has,” Bowles stated of Mayfield, who led the Bucs to a 10-9 document and an NFC South identify within the franchise’s first 12 months within the post-Tom Brady while. “Obviously it’s too early to talk about that and business is business, but Baker had a hell of a year. We love him. The guys love him. And we’ll see what the future holds.”
Normal supervisor Jason Licht shared long hug with Mayfield outdoor the cupboard room, indicative of the group’s emotions for the Incorrect. 1 pick-turned journeyman quarterback who was once enjoying for his fourth group in two seasons.
There were negative talks on a untouched do business in for Mayfield this season, however his representatives will likely be assembly with the Bucs later the season to speak about one.
“I love this group,” stated Mayfield, whose 349 passing yards Sunday had been the third-most in a sport in Buccaneers playoff historical past. “I said that all year. And it’s authentic. I mean that. It would mean a lot for me, to bring back a lot to key pieces, to get this back together, to get it to year two in the system, you can make huge strides. I would love that.
“Clearly who is aware of the way it’s gonna play games out, however I will’t say plenty about this group and the chance they gave me this 12 months. Simply grateful, and I am hoping it really works out.”
Licht has also said the team has plans to get a new deal for Evans, the franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, receptions and total touchdowns, who finished 2023 with 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th consecutive season — the only player in NFL history to achieve that feat.
Licht told ESPN that it “would ruthless the whole thing for the franchise, possession, all folks” to make Evans a Buccaneer for life, and the star wide receiver shared that sentiment.
“I’ve been on document announcing how a lot I really like this park and what sort of I wish to be right here,” said Evans, who had 147 receiving yards and a touchdown in the game. “No longer a accumulation of men end the only group, in order that’ll be superb if I am getting to try this. However we’ll see. I’m nonetheless looking to recover from this loss.”
Evans and his agent Deryk Gilmore had set a Sept. 9 deadline on a getting a new deal done prior to the start of the 2023-24 regular season, or they said they would not negotiate until after the season.
Sources told ESPN that the Bucs did not extend an offer prior to the deadline, which disappointed Evans.
Evans believes talks will happen after the Super Bowl.
“It’s supposed a accumulation to me and my public,” Evans said of being a Buccaneer. “I didn’t develop up a Bucs fan or anything else like that, however we’re lifelong Bucs lovers it doesn’t matter what occurs. I really like town and I really like the franchise.”
Extensive receiver Chris Godwin stated he was once hopeful each would go back.
“I believe it will be superb,” Godwin said of Evans, who’s been with him since he was drafted in 2017. “I believe him no longer being right here sounds and feels very, very bizarre. I don’t like that we were given so far. However confidently we will be able to stock this factor going.
“The person that Mike is, the player that he is, like obviously you hope that things would have been done earlier, but that’s the business side of it. We can’t control that. But again, I hope he’s back and I hope we get to do this thing again.”
On a possible go back for Mayfield, Godwin stated: “I think he fit right in. I think we had bunch of fighters — guys fighting through the same types of things — and I think he came in and fit the mold.
“I believe all of us love Baker and we’ve a accumulation of admire for him. We will’t keep an eye on the industry facet of it, however we are hoping that they’ll have the ability to do it.”
