25 January 2024 , 05:00
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Quarterback Baker Mayfield has urged the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to do everything possible to keep Mike Evans from leaving as a free agent.
Both Mayfield and Evans face uncertain futures in Florida following their team's 31-23 playoff loss to the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.
Mayfield, a former Heisman Trophy winner, believes that general manager Jason Licht should pull out all the stops to ensure Evans returns in 2024. The wide receiver had an impressive season, with eight catches for 147 yards and a touchdown in the defeat against the Lions. He also made 79 catches for 1,255 yards during the 2023 regular season, scoring a commendable 13 touchdowns.
Backing his teammate, Mayfield praised Evans: "He's a stud. I mean, the guy hasn't regressed at all." He added: "As much as everybody wants to talk about his age, I think he had one of his best years. He makes my life easy."
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"He did all year, and he did it today over and over again. He's one of those pieces that, yeah, to get everybody back, there has to be sacrifices made, and this team's about winning."
"We have a group full of guys that they were all about that," Mayfield continued, giving some insight into the impact that stars like Evans have on the locker room. "It's not about individual guys. It's not about that. So, that's what's made it special. But yeah, if I'm back, I want Mike back. That guy's a stud."
Coach Todd Bowles also admitted the prospect of Evans leaving does give him sleepless nights. He said: "I don't even think about it. I don't like to be asked about it. I don't want to know about it and I hope to hell that does not happen."
Quarterback Baker Mayfield has told the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' front office staff to ensure one teammate returns in 2024 (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)As for Mayfield, his own future remains uncertain as he heads towards free agency after the costly defeat against Detroit. Despite an impressive season, the quarterback confessed: "It sucks. I feel like my heart just got ripped out."
On the possibility of returning in 2024, he acknowledged: "I would love that, obviously. Who knows how it's going to play out, but can't say enough about this organization for the opportunity they gave me this year. Just thankful and so hoping it works out."
Coach Bowles did give him some reassurances about staying in Florida, saying: "Yeah, he most definitely has. Obviously, it's too early to talk about that, and business is business, but Baker had a helluva year. We love him, the guys love him and then we'll see what the future holds."
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