Record-Setting Wide Receiver Just Became Available for Patriots Trade
Patriots fans were mighty invested in landing DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, even if we’ve been trying to hide out disappointment since he ended up going to Tennessee.
Well the disappointment might not have to last much longer. It’s suddenly looking like Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans may be available on the trade market.
Mike Evans’ agents “have informed the Buccaneers organization that we will discontinue contract discussions as of September 9, 2023.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2023
Patriots: Mike Evans Trade Target
Evans holds the NFL record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start a career, with nine (and counting). That’s a record he stole from a former Patriots wideout in Randy Moss.
Evans is entering the final year of his contract, and the rebuilding Buccaneers seem to be playing hardball with negotiations around a new deal. And you can kind of see why, too. Tampa’s not going to be contending any time soon, and they don’t even have their “rebuild” QB yet to need to provide him weapons.
Moving Evans now and getting something in return makes a heck of a lot more sense than letting him walk at the end of the season, and it also probably makes more sense for the Bucs than even extending him would.
Evans would be a great fit in New England, however.
It feels like he’s been around forever, but he’s still just 30 years old and should still have at least a few good years in him.
The nine-year vet has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in NFL history, and he’s done it while playing with a variety of quarterbacks. There’s no doubt that he’d be able to slot into the New England offense and make a big impact.
Belichick is clearly all-in on Mac Jones this year, not bringing in any real competition or capable veterans to back him up for challenge for his job, and so the Patriots should also be all-in from a personnel standpoint.
It probably wouldn’t take much to trade for Evans given his contract situation, and even if he ended up being a one-year rental that we didn’t re-sign it would still be worth the deal. Adding one more weapon to really let Mac prove himself (or prove that he’s not the answer) would already make a big impact in Foxborough. And if things click and he wants to re-sign? Well that’s icing on the cake.
Missing out on the big-name, hugely hyped player in Hopkins only to later get a discounted hyper-consistent veteran would be a very on-brand Patriots move.
Make it happen, Bill.
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