Mike Evans is an all-time NFL great and he is finally receiving that acknowledgment.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ all-star wide receiver, Mike Evans, has been one of the most underrated players in the National Football League over the last 11 years. Despite having over 100 career touchdowns and 10,000 yards during that span, very little national fan fare has been given to the former seventh overall pick.
Evans’ most significant claim to fame, outside of Tampa Bay, is his streak of 1,000-yard receiving seasons— A streak that actually encompasses not one but two separate records.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Evans began stacking 1,000‐yard seasons in 2014. As a rookie, Evans came into the NFL with 68 catches, 1,051 yards, and 12 touchdowns. His career’s impressive start, proved to be anything but a fluke when his sophomore campaign provided fans with more of the same. While Evans’ touchdowns dipped in 2015, his catches and yardage increased. Four years later, Evans had registered his sixth-straight season with a 1,000 yards receiving, tying his first notable NFL record. Prior to Evans’ 2019 season, where he had another 1,157 yards and eight touchdowns, Randy Moss had been the only player in league history to kick off his career with six consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards receiving.
One season later, a lot would change. Mike Evans would make the playoffs for his first time as a pro, become a Super Bowl champion, and he’d be catching passes from Tom Brady. One thing that’d remain consistent— 1,000 yards. 2020’s 1,000‐yard season was accompanied by 13 touchdowns (his career best, at the time) and supplanted him as one-of-one. Evans had become the first and only receiver in NFL history to start a career with seven consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons— Mission accomplished.
With a goal achieved, a new one was manifested. Why stop at seven?
Simple answer: Mike Evans didn’t.
Fast forward to 2024. Evans, coming into the season having extended his own personal record again, again, and again, had a chance to go for someone else’s record— Jerry Rice.
RVR Photos-Imagn Images
Almost exclusively acknowledged as the greatest receiver of all-time, Jerry Rice went on a run from 1986–1996 of undeniable dominance. Rice’s 11-straight seasons of 1,000 yards during this time has stood as a league record since (1985 was Rice’s rookie season where he missed mark by a mere 73 yards. Those 73 yards kept Rice from gatekeeping the aforementioned record Mike Evans notched in 2020).
As 2024 got underway, even amidst a slow start, Evans projected as likely to reach his mark. Deep concern hit the hearts of Bucs’ fans in Week 7 when Evans would aggravate a hamstring injury he had been attempting to play through. The injury would force Tampa’s pass-catcher to miss an entire month of football. By the time Evans returned to lineup, turkeys were being defrosted. Mike Evans had less than 350 yards on the season at that point, meaning in order to check off 1,000 yards he would need to clock nearly 100 yards on a weekly basis.
Thanks to a few massive outings, heading into week 18 Mike Evans needed 85 yards for immortality. The Buccaneers, in an adjacent and somewhat overshadowed storyline, needed a victory to secure a postseason berth. With the game won and Tampa’s playoff ticket punched, the Buccaneers elected to skip the kneel down and instead give Mike Evans a chance at history.
Pass thrown, pass caught, yards gained, record tied.
Overnight, Evans went from seldom discussed and rarely publicized to a magnet for national recognition. Across sports media and talk shows alike, Mike Evans tying Jerry Rice’s record was a feel good story— reminding those who don’t tune in to Buccaneers’ football every Sunday just how great Mike Evans is and has been. People began referencing Evans as a Hall of Famer –casually– as if that notion was simply a fact. Tying Jerry Rice’s record put an instant spotlight on an individual that struggled to find one prior and for a small-market player that spotlight will have long-term impact when it comes time for things like his Hall of Fame candidacy and all-time great status.
A few days ago, Bucs’ fans were given more proof of concept when the Players’ Tribune released a video featuring both Mike Evans and Jerry Rice discussing the record that only they share. The two talked football— Routes, how they’d cover one another, and how much they respect each other.
Mike Evans continuing to get his name mentioned in sentences, paragraphs, or discussions that are centered around Jerry Rice will only help his odds of making the Hall of Fame, increasing his status among all-time greats, and up his stature around the league. It took stamping his name in the record books beside the game’s greatest receiver ever but Evans is finally getting legend treatment.
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