Mike Evans landing spots: Best fits and the one team to watch in 2024 NFL Free Agency

Where will All-Pro wide receiver Mike Evans end up in 2024?

As the two sides remain far apart on a contract extension according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, it looks the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to compete with other teams in 2024 NFL free agency to keep the star right where he started his career.

The Buccaneers obviously still have a shot to reach a deal with Evans before free agency, but as Schultz reported, the star receiver “is trending toward becoming a free agent” if Tampa Bay didn’t reach an agreement by last Monday, which the team considered a “soft deadline”. 

NFL teams are salivating for Mike Evans to hit 2024 NFL Free Agency

One team’s loss will be a huge gain for whichever team backs up the brinks truck for the 31-year-old wide receiver who is coming off another 1,000-yard season and looking like he has many solid years left.  Coming off that elite season, Tampa’s focus is to retain him obviously, but not locking him up with an extension prior to the 2023 NFL season could come back to bite them as Evans will be a much-anticipated target for receiver-hungry teams in free agency.

The Bucs will still have the option of placing the franchise tag on Evans, but that will cost the team $28.4 million for 2024.  With decisions still to make on Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield, the Bucs are more likely to like him hit the open market.

Again, not ruling the Buccaneers out as a best fit for Evans, but here are four teams that can make that possibility more difficult.