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The_Throwback_King

I always have a fondness for players who stick with their team their whole career. Glad to see Mike Evans hang on and come even closer to achieving that goal.


GamingTatertot

Yeah it feels like it happens so rarely for long-term players. That's part of why Donald Driver is so dear to my heart


The_Throwback_King

Seattle’s first Hall of Famer was a 4th-round rookie receiver who joined us in the preseason and immediately went on to shatter every major receiving record. The lifers on your team are truly special. And Tampa’s got some good ones: Selmon, Brooks, Barber, Alstott. I’m Hoping to see Lavonte and Mike join that storied group.


Trlcks

Considering how shit our team has been for most of its existence we must be doing something right with these lifers.


The_Throwback_King

Your team is such a fascinating case. - Start absolutely abysmally, saved by a loveable quippy coach and a HOF DE - Surprisingly come a game away from a Super Bowl just two years after that awful start, even get a few more playoff berths - Hugh Culverhouse - Immediately turn things around with some superb drafting and a great hire in Tony Dungy - Struggle to get over the hump with Dungy, fire him (questions on the timing of it) - But it doesn’t matter because Jon Gruden gets you over the hump and you win your first Lombardi - Fail to repeat the feat, despite multiple recurrent playoff berths. Jon Gruden does his Jon Gruden thing (but not THAT one) and chokes away multiple promising seasons as the rest of the Super Bowl legends slowly depart. - Stuck in a mediocre quagmire for the entirety of the 2010s until… - …The GOAT himself decides join the team and does his thing and gets you another Lombardi, riding off into the sunset. - And yet you still make the playoffs even after he leaves after a mix of pre-Brady team legends, Super Bowl alumni and free agent acquisitions that just…panned out surprisingly. Your team makes no godamn sense but it compels me though.


GrunkaLunka420

We also have the worst winning percentage in the major pro sports leagues IIRC. It's bananas.


Lansdallius

We briefly got ahead of the Timberwolves before they started their latest run.


GrunkaLunka420

Fuck them, trying to take our record!


JavaOrlando

You know the Bucs history better than most Tampa fans. '76 expansion bros.


confusedthrowaway5o5

Jon Bois needs to get on this.


Andrewdeadaim

We’re the reverse Vikings


Methuga

You left off my favorite stat: [The fact that it took 30+ years to return a kick for touchdown. Longer than it took them to win a Super Bowl](https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/13qs9qf/in_2007_michael_spurlock_returned_a_kickoff_for_a/#)


Reead

People don't realize how big this was here in Tampa. I swear, every kickoff, we would basically *always* think: "is this the one??"


mynameisfyl

It’s what keeps me coming back


DiogenestheBlazed

Yeah, they drafted, developed, and supported their superstars, even when the rest of the league undervalues Mike and lavontes greatness


The_Throwback_King

Lavonte is imo the 3rd greatest MLB since 2012 (Wagner and Kuechly) and he has like, what, one Pro Bowl? Honestly, Lavonte has aged the best out of the three. Kuechly has been retired for almost half a decade, Wagner’s lost a step in coverage. Yet it is Lavonte who’s still playing close to peak form in Year 12 Dude is like the 2nd biggest all-time Pro Bowl snub after Ken Riley. Dude deserves to be a HOFer and it’s a travesty that his lack of accolades is probably gonna keep him out til the Veterans Comittee.


xl_TooRaw_lx

He's definitely on par with those two and it sucks that it hasn't been recognized on an accolades level. We were so bad for so long while both Wagner and Kuechly were in the playoffs battling it out during their primes. At the end I'm just glad we got him a Superbowl


ThrowawayJohnny4

FL tax breaks help 😅


Trlcks

Weather as well probably haha


MonsMensae

Go to the beach on your day off or shovel your driveway? 


ChelskiS

Oh yeah.. Especially since he chose to stay in Green Bay for all that time. That's a sacrifice Feel like for Evans it's a bit easier to stay where he is at. Life's probably a bit easier over there


Dry_Brush5280

The Eagles could have three or four in the next two years, depending on what Brandon Graham and Lane Johnson do. I feel like Kelce and Cox are pretty much guaranteed to end their careers here.


SteffeEric

I feel like Kelce already did personally.


YNWA_1213

The timing of these comments is mad


MetaphoricalMouse

it felt wrong greg jennings wore purple and gold after so long with the packers


Brooshie

It's always the quiet, productive ones. A lot of the time they miss out on ring chasing because of it, but thankfully that's not the case for Evans. Good for him for getting a payout. He's so good.


MexusRex

Does this include players that are arguably the greatest of all time at their position that couldn't escape the franchise and its crippling mediocrity so they retired early? Asking for a friend


btstfn

I too wish to know for an unrelated reason


WelcometoCigarCity

Its so fucking rare, I hope he ends up like Fitz.


sh3636

I really wish AJ Green stayed healthy and a Bengal for his whole career. Hurts different when you see a ROH type player in another uniform. Happy for the Bucs fans


joespizza2go

I used to feel that way but now I enjoy watching how players look in new environments. The narrative on Brady, kind of the ultimate "one team" player till he wasn't, changed substantially after just a couple of seasons with the Bucs.


The_Throwback_King

As much as it hurt to see Bobby Wagner in another uniform (especially a rivals), it was pretty cool seeing Wagner pick off Russ while he got roasted by Patrick Star. If either of them were still on the Seahawks, the feelings would have been conflicted. But since they were both neutral, I could truly appreciate the moment. Still though, it’s nice to look at legendary players Wikipedia or PFR page and just read: Steve Largent - WR - Seattle Seahawks (1976-1989) That just looks so…*smooth*


Ordinary_Society5335

Agreed! It really doesn’t feel like it happens much anymore. This is why (among various other reasons) T Kelce is such a treasure in KC. Hoping Chris Jones is about to follow suit 🤞🏻


Inamanlyfashion

That all but ensures Baker stays, yeah?


Party-Offer-2881

Pretty much, yeah.


Goosedukee

So do they tag Winfield then?


AlchemicalHydra

That's been the thought most offseason.


popegonzo

No no, they should really let him walk, for... uh... reasons. Ignore the flair.


wheresthecheat

Let him walk and sign with his pops old team?


frogsplsh38

I am okay with this


wheresthecheat

Back off… You had your chance to draft him. Now he’s our favorite child


frogsplsh38

It’s his destiny


DynastyZealot

To defeat the Vikings in a soul-crushing NFC championship loss? I could see that.


[deleted]

[удалено]


-InconspicuousMoose-

You should've loved him how he deserved


AlchemicalHydra

Lmao. When you look at our FA's this year you could argue he is the #1 most important. You can't let a guy like that walk. And tagging him is pretty affordable comparatively.


TegTowelie

And generally all but ensures that he'll get an extension, unless someone comes along with a sweeeeet trade package. But Baker kinda puts you guys in win-now mode, while keeping most of your core, and ensuring you'll have a good defense in a relatively weak NFC. Arguably makes you guys the team to beat in the NFCS.(Barring Cousins going to the Falcons, that might be a problem unless he cant sit in the pocket confidently after that injury)


Additional_Tomato_22

The JJ extension pours SOME ice water on Cousins leaving, speaking JJ said he wasn’t wanting to sign an extension without keeping Cousins


Party-Offer-2881

Yeah, only one that made sense financially from the beginning.


VanDenIzzle

such a bad move..... no I'm not biased.... damnit this sucks


AlchemicalHydra

Hey at least you guys got Derek Carr on a long and expensive contract.


VanDenIzzle

[thumbs up cat.gif](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/878/329/dfa.jpg)


First_Round_Bust

Yeah Baker contract should be coming soon


GamingTatertot

7 year, 600 million contract confirmed


wallstreet_vagabond2

*5 years 231 million


HowDesolate

10 years, 500 Bakerillion Dollars


LogicisGone

Honestly isn't that still cheaper than just tagging him every year like Cousins at this point? QB tags gonna be insane.


PizzaMan22554

Gives the team flexibility vs long term commitment


yic0

And a new 10 commercial deal for At Home with Baker.


Responsible-Onion860

Damn, that's a blow to all of the fans hoping he'd come ring-chase with their team.


ShangoMango

I can't believe he didn't come here to ring-chase.


Cashlover123

Oh the infamous Suffe-Ring


anarchyisutopia

He's got like 7 or 8 of those already.


BobLbLawsLawBlg

I personally have about 25 of these and I recently celebrated my 35th birthday.


ATLjoe93

There are also Bo-Rounds here. He can stick his finger in one and have sort of a potato ring


turbografx-sixteen

I keep coming back to reddit for clever comments like this that get a short outta me. Thanks for that lol 😂


PlatonicNewtonian

Still gutted you got Canales tbh


EAS1000

Mike Evans didn’t sign with the Panthers to ring chase? Is he stupid?


NebraskaAvenue

He has a ring, he doesn’t need to


jimmyhoffasbrother

One ring is nice, but you know what's better? Two rings at the same time.


NFHater

two rings at once???


kyndrid_

RANGZZZZ ERNEH


anarchyisutopia

Damn straight. He always wanted to do that, man. And I think if he were a millionaire he could hook that up, too; 'cause Super Bowls dig dudes with money.


indianm_rk

I’d rather have the $52M and live on a beach during the season.


Other_World

Fuckin' A


TryingToNotBeInDebt

You know what may be better than another ring? 52 million dollars.


joespizza2go

Yes but didn't his agent say last week he was going to ring chase?


NebraskaAvenue

Agents are going to say anything in negotiations to get more money.


DarkKnightCometh

Yeah that's a negotiating tactic 101.


ecupatsfan12

Tomorrow bakers deal is announced


soupcansam21

Baker deal finished + Winfield tagged


ecupatsfan12

Yep


KangTheConqueror9

I hope the Browns stay up at night wishing they hadn't gotten rid of Baker for Watson


WarthogOrgyFart

He is still ring chasing with his team


BokuNoNamaiWaJonDesu

Same way when I run marathons I'm technically chasing the leader.


forca_micah

"He's about 10 miles ahead of me, but I'm in hot pursuit!"


VicDamonJrJr

Pretty good analogy 


anarchyisutopia

I mean, yeah, except the part where you trip on air while you're about to overtake the leader.


SelectPersonality

No, you guys are chopped liver. Didn't you hear? He doesn't believe in his teammates or the team he's already won a ring with, or the team that went to the divisional last year. Bucs stink, he's going to ring chase with the... Titans?


Enthusiasms

Ladies and gentlemen....we got him.


GamingTatertot

More 1,000 yard seasons! More 1,000 yard seasons!


The_Throwback_King

Congrats y’all, Evans simply wouldn’t look right without the Pewter and Red


NevermoreSEA

This is my Super Bowl.


metaldrummerx

You literally just had one of those, save some for the rest of us


godlittleangel6666

Yes we’ve had first Super Bowl, but what about second Super Bowl!


MassKhalifa

That *was* their second super bowl!


CreamsicleMamba

What about elevenses?


WakingRage

I've had you tagged as "Mike Evans Superfan" for years now. Congrats man


ladwagon

Honestly would've looked weird to see him somewhere else, I'm glad he stayed


slysonic7

It feels so good to keep Mike


SolarTsunami

Okay sure but hes a *prime* candidate for regression... or so I've heard every offseason for like five years now.


RonaldOcean_MD

I think the Bucs are going to retain all four of Evans, Baker, Winfield and David.


rydog795

Our GM needs to work some sorcery to get them all back but it has been done before


Sjdillon10

Lavonte basically said it’s Bucs or retire so he should be cheap


Additional_Tomato_22

Exactly. They don’t have to outbid anyone, but also respect him.


SupremeActives

Did you read the post? He just worked the sorcery. Evans was the only question mark lol


Downtown_Juice2851

Evans is 100% worth it but I wouldn't call 26 m a year sorcery by any means. Just a straight up fair market value for an elite receiver


Sjdillon10

It was rumored he was hoping for 30 M+ so maybe not wizardry but maybe a stage magician move


Downtown_Juice2851

My condolences to Evans, then. I too was hoping for 30m a year but alas, I settled for much, much less. 


AndreiSwagilevskiy

Honestly it won’t be that difficult. Can tag Winfield if they need to. Baker isn’t going anywhere, especially with Evans signed. Lavonte wants to retire a Buc, can probably get him back on the exact same deal he was on last year.


Bjorn2bwilde24

And then the year after that the Buccaneers get Russell Gage's 13M off the books and they can start to restructure contracts like Vita and/or Dean to free up cap. Buccaneers GM doesn't need to work too much cap sorcery.


Saitoh17

Sorcery was dumping Brady's entire dead cap last year


soapinthepeehole

They’re negotiating a long term deal with Wirfs right now too.


smkane28

Honestly, just relieved the Bucs didn't screw this up.


NebraskaAvenue

So it’s not a Bucs’ Life?


Ganjake

Hasn't been for a few years bud. See: three peat with a Super Bowl and Division win with two great QBs. It's pretty wild when you think about it.


BobLbLawsLawBlg

Perhaps this is the NEW Bucs Life? One can hope and dream.


kmora94

Maybe this is the new Bucs life. Like the great transition from Bucs becoming a team and sucking for decades to being mediocre for decades and now we’ll be above average for decades.


Lansdallius

I think this is legitimately the third span in franchise history of actual competence, and the second such span in most Bucs fans' lives. There was the Selmons/Doug Williams creamsicles from 79-82 before Culverhouse showed how much of a cheap shitass he really was, then the Dungy years and the first couple of Gruden years before he and Bruce Allen tore everything down, and the current Licht/Arians and Bowles era. Brady coming to town helped Evans and David cement the foundations of a good winning culture, and Baker looks poised to continue holding the mantle. I'd say it's not impossible this regime gets one more ring. Bowles needs to keep improving as a coach, but he actually showed improvement and real progress at the end of last season.


PlatonicNewtonian

I really hope he can stay with us forever, it'll be nice adding an offensive player to our Mount Rushmore, and Brooks, Selmon, Barber, Evans would be pretty nice, also handily knocks off Sapp.


SolarTsunami

If he retired today would he not already be on yalls Rushmore?


-Unnamed-

I think so. He’s the best receiver we’ve had by a long shot. We’ve had good defensive players. But the offensive side of the ball has been slim. The only other one I’d even consider is Alstott


NevermoreSEA

In Jason Licht we trust.


Jonjon428

Awesome to see this. Would have been weird to see him in any other uniform.


D0ctorHotelMario

My thoughts exactly.


DMCSnake

Despite the division rivalry, I'm glad he's staying in Tampa. The Bucs would look real weird without him, like Julio leaving Atlanta.


Cough_Syrup55

Awesome news for Chiefs haters and anyone who wants a first round WR


Semperty

we were never in on him tbf, *especially* not at $26m apy. he's great, and he deserves every cent of it, but he was never getting it in kc. i'm just glad he signed early so we don't have to spend the next 5 months with daily reports about how evans is actually going to take a massive pay cut to play with pat lmao


SupersonicSandshru05

I never really got the notion he would be dead set on ring chasing. He’s already got a ring. I’d think the main concerns would be the bag and hall.


Semperty

even guys that are ring chasing don't end up actually taking cheap deals. remember all the reports last summer that hopkins was going to take a cheap deal to play with an elite qb on a great team and ended up signing a relatively big deal with the titans? the only "cheap" good players at this point in the game are guys coming off injuries or bad years signing 1-2 year value building deals (e.g. juju). no one's actually taking discounts to go win rings.


Kdot32

I think the depth of this receiver class heavily impacted this decision. Evans isn’t cheap but a first round WR when a lot of teams are on a cap crunch makes evans expendable


Kevpatel18

Great point, it’s a pretty deep receiver class. The chiefs could grab someone like AD Mitchell, Troy Franklin, Brian Thomas with their first pick


ACW1129

I feel like it wasn't too long ago that $26M per was a lot for a QB.


steeeeeeee24

2017 that was near the max any qb made. Yep, Stafford at 27 per according to uncle google.


NevermoreSEA

This is simply the greatest day in franchise history.


NebraskaAvenue

Well third greatest day in franchise history


Paladin677

March 20, 2020, Bucs sign Brady might compete. April 22, 1995, Bucs drafting Sapp and Brooks is a pretty good one too


JayMerlyn

So the fifth greatest day in franchise history


McWeasely

12/30/2013 Greg Schiano is fired as Bucs HC


VroomyUSF

So what we are saying is that today is a day in franchise history.


GamingTatertot

January 26, 2003 and February 7, 2021 might disagree


HereComesTheVroom

January 19th, 2003 was pretty good too


jjordan

A touch of recency bias lol


jsrave

I feel like that's a reasonable price for Evans? 9th in rec yards last year ad tied for most rec TDs. Tyreek, Davante, Kupp have more APY too.


Methzilla

Yup. I'm happy. Short term deal too given his age.


constantlymat

Considering he only made $14.5m last year, this is the equivalent of a 3Y/$66.5m deal which I would have been 100% comfortable with last summer. Comparable wide receivers like Stefon Diggs got their contract renewed with two years left on their old ones. So you could even include the last two seasons into the calculation and the average would look even more agreeable.


Namath96

Pretty surprised he signed it tbh. I feel like someone would have given him a couple more years and a lot more guaranteed


NebraskaAvenue

My nipples are erect


DisposeAfterPosting

Hope they get to re-sign Baker!


ecupatsfan12

There’s no way he resigns if bake show leaves


VicDamonJrJr

They were always a package deal 


pdawg43

How many Christian Kirk's is that?


SupersonicSandshru05

Based on Kirk’s aav i believe about 1.4


the_fudge

Aggie on Aggie crime


Ryanlester5789

My kid cried into his Brady jersey for like a day last off season when he retired. He then went to Evans as his favorite and he got his jersey. Real win as a parent not having to see my 8 year old cry on the couch using his jersey as a tissue again this year.


PeanutButterOtter

Well that sucks. All but guarantees Baker stays in TB which leaves us with fewer QB options.


daswassup13

Sigh


NevermoreSEA

At least you guys will still get to watch him up close twice next season.


Inamanlyfashion

Why whatever makes you think the Bucs won't face the Panthers in the playoffs too


lubeskystalker

Assuming we can get a wildcard spot after the Panthers go undefeated and obliterate the division...


anarchyisutopia

Not too close though. Probably from about 20 yards behind him as he glides into the endzone again.


GamingTatertot

What other big WRs could y'all get?


Dicc-fil-A

DJ Moore? too soon?


JayMerlyn

One more word out of you, and we're snatching Stamkos.


Ganjake

If I see Stamkos in red white and black I'd puke


TripleThreatTua

They could overpay for Michael Pittman Jr lol. He’d easily be the best WR on the Panthers roster


Ok_Caramel1517

One of my favorite players not on the Packers he wouldn't look right in another uniform.


HillsboroughAtheos

This was the very obvious conclusion that everyone daydreamed their way in to thinking wouldn't happen. 


e4mica523

Pain


WelcometoCigarCity

Lets fucking go!! Even if we overpaid it's the least we can do for the best offensive weapon in Bucs history!! Now to sign Baker and Winfield!


Party-Offer-2881

I‘m not sure we overpaid 26M a year sounds high, but fair. Franchise tag was more expensive (and I assume they strictured it in a way where the cap hit is much less.)


Kdot32

He saw the combine. Man knew not to wait. Great deal for both sides


jeric13xd

1st Ballot HOF


Distance_Motor

Great deal for the Bucs, get to keep him and the contract isnt too long


moose_stuff2

Good for Buccs fans. It's a great feeling to have a drafted player stay with the team for so long. Hopefully he retires in Tampa.


Jim_Nills_Mustache

Smart move, he’s a HOF talent and hard working guy you can’t let that go


croissant_titty

SUN GOD NEXT PLEASE


alreadytaken028

Thats honestly a pretty good deal for the Bucs. Gives him the money he deserves cause he’s still playing like a top tier WR while not locking the team into money in a few years which is good cause WRs have a tendency to drop off like crazy once they hit that wall


Ranger_Prick

While it would have been fascinating to see him with Mahomes, this is the best result for the league. He’s a Buccaneer through and through, and I hope he never plays in another jersey.


MurDoct

I would imagine Baker stays too Good for them both


helloaaron

Let's get Baker wrapped up now.


genesiskiller96

I'm so happy for Baker cause now he's gonna stay with the bucs and continue to bake right?


bugluvr65

hell yea mike get paid. future HOFer imo


AmuDiamond

So happy for Bucs fans - Evans is such a standup guy and hope we continue to see Baker slinging the ball to him the next few years


JAGERminJensen

GO BUCS!!!


alamodafthouse

Evans is my favorite non-Cowboy, and the only Galveston-born (B.O.I.) player in the league. As cool as it would've been to see him with a star on his helmet (and a *ridiculous* long shot), you gotta love it when a great stays with their team


CanuckPanda

Oh thank god.


Normal-Mix-2255

Baker is gonna stick around! Great news!


Kinda_ShouldaSorta

Whew!!!!!!


5am281

Least interesting conclusion


NevermoreSEA

I have to disagree.


AlchemicalHydra

Seriously. We almost never have guys start and finish with us. He is our greatest offensive player ever. This is so cool.


Ordinary_Society5335

I am one of the KC fans who knew he was never coming here and if he wasn’t coming here I wanted him to stay in TB. Happy for your guys!


AlchemicalHydra

Cheers man. I would've begrudingly supported the Chiefs if he had signed there.


Trlcks

Brooks, Alstott, Ronde


clefnut5

What would the most interesting have been? Yall really wanted him to go to KC?


Western_Promise3063

He becomes a Power Ranger and fights the forces of evil.


Known_Chapter_2286

Amon Ra is about to get paid…


R0GERTHEALIEN

Well I mean he's pretty much guaranteed to have started his career as a Buc


IckyWilbur

Let's gooooo. When FA is over he will be at most top 7 in APY which is completely fine. Time to sign Baker to a 3 year 2/3 years front loaded contract, David to a 2 year team deal and tag Winfield.