Buccaneers’ Fans Suffer From Evans Decision Fatigue Syndrome

This offseason is only in its infancy, and it already feels like it’s going to be a long one for Buccaneers fans.

Specifically, the Mike Evans situation is the one every fan wants an answer to. The reality is that this may drag on for at least another week.

Even though the league year doesn’t officially begin until March 11, there have already been signings and trades agreed to around the league. Nothing can be made official until that day, but in the world of social media and insiders, once it’s reported, it’s basically a done deal.

I’ve noticed there are three types of fans when it comes to Mike Evans:

Keep Evans no matter the cost.

Let him leave so the team can use that money to fix the rest of the roster.

Whatever side you’re on, you’re 💯 entitled to feel that way.

That said, I think those who want Mike to return at all costs also need to accept that the team may not get closer to a Super Bowl in the short term. There are simply too many holes on this roster—especially on defense—that need to be addressed, likely with veteran free-agent talent.

Expecting the Bucs to draft quality starters in every round is pie-in-the-sky thinking. At best, we can hope for two or three quality starters, with the rest becoming developmental depth pieces.

So the question becomes: Can the Bucs really pay $40 million to two wide receivers (Evans and Godwin)? And if they do, where does the money come from to sign other free agents?

A restructure or two could help. If the team eventually extends Baker Mayfield, that could also create some cap flexibility. Plenty of teams get creative with the salary cap, so as fans we probably shouldn’t get too hung up on the raw numbers.

Personally, I fall somewhere between options 2 and 3.

I want the team to win another Super Bowl. My allegiance is to more than just one player, no matter how great he is or what he’s meant to the city.

 Evans will always be in the conversation for the greatest Buccaneer ever, and nothing he decides this offseason will change that.

His decision is the biggest domino to fall. Once that happens, the Bucs can move forward with figuring out how to improve the defense.

Just… hopefully sooner rather than later.