Baker Mayfield Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Evans throws immense support behind Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield: ‘He’s criminally underrated’

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 1/22/24

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers nearly pulled off a second playoff upset in as many weeks, ultimately falling in the NFC Divisional round to the Detroit Lions 31-23 on Sunday. But after a year in which the team drastically exceeded expectations, longtime wide receiver Mike Evans threw incredible praise toward quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Following the loss, Evans praised Mayfield while calling him "criminally underrated" and said he believes the quarterback played his way into a big contract.

"Baker's a hell of a player and he showed everybody that he's criminally underrated. I was happy when we signed him and I knew he'd be a great player for us," Evans told reporters.

After then being asked how much Evans wanted Mayfield back with the Buccaneers next season, the wide receiver was extremely honest.

"I mean, he played his way into a big contract, I believe." Evans stated.

“Baker is a helluva player and he showed everybody he’s criminally underrated.” - Mike Evans pic.twitter.com/kX8va8JqSm
— The REF (@KREFsports) January 22, 2024

There's no denying the connection Mayfield and Evans had this season, and despite the loss, the playoff matchup with the Lions was proof of it. Mayfield threw for 348 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions while Evans finished the game with eight receptions for 147 yards and one score.

Over the span of the regular season, Mayfield reached the 4,000-yard passing mark for the first time in his career, finishing with 4,044 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Evans was as impressive, if not more so, posting his highest receiving yardage total since 2018 and the third-highest of his entire career with 1,255. He also finished the regular season tying his second-most receiving touchdowns in a year, hauling in 13.

The Buccaneers have a few big decisions to make, including with both Evans and Mayfield, who are slated to become free agents this offseason. Evans, 30, is arguably the top impending free-agent wide receiver on the market, and after the season he's put together, there should be numerous suitors interested in signing him to a high-level contract.

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