One thing about every NFL off-season is they’re unpredictable. Players that nobody ever would’ve thought could be available end up on different teams. Chicago Bears fans saw it happen earlier this year with guys like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill. That is why the current wide receiver market for 2023 may not be what it seems. On the surface, it’s a weak group. The free agent crop is brutal, and the top end of the incoming draft class isn’t heavy on star power. That said, it doesn’t mean some bigger option won’t become available.
Here is one name worth keeping an eye on: Mike Evans. The four-time Pro Bowler is 195 yards away from cracking 1,000 for the season for the ninth time in his career. He’s still only 29 years old too. One would think he isn’t going anywhere, but there are reasons to believe that could change. Much of this has to do with Tom Brady. The future Hall of Famer becomes a free agent this off-season, and there are rumblings he may decide to leave for a new team. If that happened, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could choose to enter a rebuilding phase. Unloading Evans, a free agent in 2024, might make sense.
“Multiple sources close to the legendary quarterback say all options are on the table for Brady, who at age 45 feels good enough to keep playing and once again has the Buccaneers in playoff position entering today’s game against the 49ers.”
Evans is the #1 receiver the Chicago Bears lack.
Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool are nice complimentary pieces for Justin Fields, but neither are that true go-to target he can lean on in big situations. Evans has been that guy since he entered the league in 2014. He’s been a model of consistency, missing only six games in his career. If anybody could jump-star the Bears’ passing attack, it would be him. Sure the age is going to be a question mark. Any player entering his 30s is always met with skepticism. Yet there are plenty of examples of receivers excelling well into that age range.
Some recent examples include Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne, and Andre Johnson. If the Chicago Bears have an opportunity to land Evans, they must explore it. He is precisely what they need. Much of this depends on Brady’s decision. If he stays in Tampa Bay, the entire idea becomes moot. If he leaves, Evans may welcome a change of scenery. Joining a young quarterback like Fields in Chicago might seem appealing to him. He’s no stranger to playing with scrambling QBs, having become a star at Texas A&M with Johnny Manziel.
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The fact that you wrote Johnny Manziel into your pitch is quite weird.
The Cowboys just picked T.Y. Hilton over Beckham. That’s all I need to see.
If i was the GM, I’d get in touch OBJ, say hey look we have something special here, how about you sign a deal with a playoff team for the rest of 22′,
Then sign we sit down & work out a contract that gives him money & lond term, maybe 4yr 65 – 75m.
Don’t really like the idea of giving anything up for Evans. Trade down and if possible make sure we get a first in 24 in the deal. Plug as many holes in this sinking ship as we can in 23. See how our receiving core makes out and then give whatever it takes to draft Harrison Jr. in 24. He reminds me of DeAndre Hopkins.
Surely there must be a better option with more gas left in the tank…. how many prime years does Evans have left? Not worth the picks in my opinion.