Bucs GM Jason Licht
Yes, the Bucs absolultely can make sure Mike Evans doesn’t play for another team this season.
The team, however, doesn’t want to go there. They want to respect Evans’ desire to determine his market value in free agency before coming to the Bucs with a “match-this-offer” smile.
Today at 4 p.m. is the NFL deadline to use the franchise tag, which would guarantee Evans a one-year contract at a shade over $27 million. If tagged, Evans could sign the deal and cash in, or he could negotiate a different contract with the Bucs until July 15.
At the NFL Scouting Combine last week, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht didn’t rule out using the tag, though that’s not his preference and, apparently, Evans didn’t want that, either.
However, the NFL is a fluid situation. Yesterday’s facts are often today’s fiction. It’s at least possible Evans’ agent sniffed the market and would now be pleased to have his client franchised.