Mike Evans was considering two teams before re-signing with Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have acted just quickly enough to avoid the risk of losing star wide receiver Mike Evans in free agency.

While Evans was projected to be one of the top available names on the free-agent market this offseason, he agreed to a two-year, $52M deal just under one week before free agency.

If the Buccaneers and Evans hadn't agreed to that deal, there could have been a very real chance that the two sides would part ways. The Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans were both already in his mind as potential landing spots had he hit free agency, the 30-year-old revealed to NFL Network .

“I mean, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking Houston, Kansas City. I love Pat Mahomes’ game," Evans said. “I’m thinking those two teams. And I’m obviously thinking the Bucs.”

Evans went on to state that it would have been "extremely hard" to leave Tampa Bay, even if he had become a free agent. Fortunately, neither side had to address that, as the deal was completed in time, and now Evans is set to remain Baker Mayfield's top target in 2024.

Evans had one of the best seasons of his career in 2023, catching 79 passes for 1,255 yards and a stellar 13 touchdowns. His touchdown mark currently sits as the second-most in a single season to this point in his career, while the yardage was the third-most and highest mark since the 2018 season.