The Detroit Lions boasted one of the best passing attacks in the league in 2022, but they will begin the 2023 season undermanned because second-year receiver Jameson Williams was suspended for the first game of the season.
However, due to the fact that the NFC South is currently in a deadlock, the Lions may have one more choice available to them. Dallas Robinson of the Pro Football Network cited the Detroit Lions as a top potential landing site for wide receiver Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Evans has indicated his desire for a new deal, but he has set a deadline for signing one that is rapidly approaching.
If the two parties are unable to come to a deal before the start of the new season, Evans will be forced to play out the final year of his current contract, and the Buccaneers may look to acquire other players in exchange for him. Robinson suggested in his article that the Lions might be among the most interested parties in the four-time Pro Bowler if he were to become available for trade.
The Lions Might Require Another Receiving Choice.
According to what Robinson stated, the Lions might benefit from having a proven second option alongside their top receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, and they may be able to locate such option in Evans.
“Amon-Ra St. Brown is still Detroit’s WR1, but rookies Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta might profile as the club’s next-best options in the passing attack,” said Robinson. “Amon-Ra St. Brown remains the team’s leading receiver.” Josh Reynolds, Marvin Jones Jr., and Kalif Raymond are the other pass catchers for the Lions.
Jameson Williams will miss the first six games of the season due to a suspension.
Robinson mentioned that the Lions were not aggressive in the trade market for top-tier wide receivers, stating that they stayed primarily out of the race for DeAndre Hopkins and that they made a deal for former New York Jets WR Denzel Mims before releasing him prior to the final roster cutoff.
According to what Robinson stated, the Lions might make an exception for Evans.
According to what the author stated, “Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson probably could have been a head coach this offseason had he wanted to be,” but it’s possible that this will be his final season in Detroit. “If the Lions want to make the most of Johnson’s outstanding work, they could fill out his unit by adding a dominant force like Evans,” the author writes. “If they do this, they will maximize Johnson’s potential.”
Mike Evans Is Currently Prepared to Play, But His Future Is Uncertain
Jenna Laine of ESPN reported on September 1 that the counsel for Evans informed the Buccaneers that negotiations on a new contract will come to an end on September 9, one day before the team’s season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. The Buccaneers received this communication from Evans’ representation.
Evans made it obvious that he would not be holding out, but he still faced an uncertain future with the team that selected him seventh overall in the 2014 NFL draft. Although Evans made it clear that he would not be holding out, he still faced an uncertain future with the franchise.
Evans said in a statement, “I want to be in camp and practice to help Baker [Mayfield] get ready so that we can win this year.” Baker Mayfield is the quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. “I don’t want to be a hold out and hurt our team,” the recalcitrant player said.
The statement that was made by Evans’ agency said that he is willing to make a deal, and it was intended to put some pressure on the company.
“We have been working on extending Mike’s career with the Bucs for over a year, and we want the fans to know this is not a tactic, and the ball is in the owner’s court,” the agency said in a statement. “We are hopeful that we will be able to do so.” “That being said, we are giving the Bucs until the start of the regular season to make him a Buc for Life, and if that cannot happen, one hundred percent of Mike’s focus will be on football and his future and where he can continue to make an impact,” the statement continued.
Lousy reporting it was already reported earlier that Mike Evans has gone to the Minnesota Vikings so yeah piss poor reporting at best