An interesting development regarding wide receiver Mike Evans should put the Carolina Panthers on high alert in their search for a true WR1.
Mike Evans has been a fan of the Carolina Panthers for years. He was always a thorn in the team's side from the moment he was drafted. That may be about to change as the wide receiver hits free agency.
This is a deep class of wideouts that will be released on the general market. Extensions and the franchise tag will significantly reduce this percentage before the legal tampering period begins in his three weeks. The Panthers desperately need better weapons for quarterback Bryce Young, but money is tight as the new regime looks to clean up the mess left by its predecessors.
Even as he ages, Evans will be one of the most coveted pass catchers in free agency. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards every season since being drafted out of Texas A&M. He's one of the most underrated wideouts. As it stands, you could make a strong case that he's a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Acquiring Evans seems like a pipe dream to many. However, this prospect became more realistic after an interesting development regarding the contract impasse with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
According to The Athletic's Deanna Russini, a new contract for Evans is not imminent. This was a deadline for organizations to lower costs. Things will get more expensive going forward, but officials acknowledged that both sides are working in good faith toward an agreement.
It seems like Evans will be testing the market the closer he gets to free agency. The Buccaneers will be responsible for $7.4 million in dead money, regardless of whether the deal goes through or not. These developments don't go unnoticed across the league, but can the Panthers throw their hat in the ring?
At the very least, it's worth calling his agent.
Evans is already familiar with new head coach Dave Canales, which should help make the transition smooth. The two worked closely together with the Buccaneers last season. He had high praise for his offensive coordinator after he was transferred to a rival team in the NFC South. Persuading veterans to join this ambitious project will be an important statement of intent.
It would also give Young a legitimate WR1, something he lacked during his underwhelming rookie campaign. But the Panthers don't seem to have enough financial wherewithal to pull it off.
If the Panthers extend Frankie Lube and Brian Burns, there won't be much salary cap room left. Thanks to early releases and contract restructuring, things will change. Whether Carolina can justify spending more than $20 million on Evans when there are so many other holes is another question.
There's also the question of whether Evans considers the Panthers a viable option. Canales' presence will help change his perception. But when push comes to shove, he might choose to go somewhere where he has a better chance of winning another Super Bowl ring.
This is a fluid situation. More domino toppling is planned in the coming weeks. Evans would immediately justify the Panthers' plan to gradually develop with Canales leading the way. But when it comes to the NFL, dream scenarios rarely become reality.