Mike Evans trade rumors: Why Texans shouldn't push for a deal

5-7 minutes 9/5/2023
While the conversation about NFL contract extensions has largely centered around the running back position in recent weeks, it's a veteran wide receiver who has risen to the forefront of the discussion with the start of the season just days away.
Deryk Gilmore, the agent for Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver and Galveston native Mike Evans, has set a Sept. 9 deadline for the Bucs to get a deal done with his client. After that, Gilmore says Evans' "focus will be on football and his future and where he can continue to make an impact."
Evans, a four-time Pro Bowler and former Texas A&M standout, is in the final year of his contract. This has made him a popular name in recent trade rumblings, even if no such request has been officially made.
"Despite our efforts the past two years, and the professionalism of Bucs general manager Jason Licht and assistant general manager Mike Greenberg, we have not received an offer to stay in Tampa," Gilmore said in a statement, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "This is disappointing to Mike as he sees other teams step up to keep key pieces and players that are important to their organization.
"Many players of his status would've held out of camp to not risk injury, but Mike has continued practicing hard, as always, because he puts his team first. When you have a player that will be a Hall of Famer and still has four to six more years to make an impact in the league, you move Heaven and Earth to keep him on your team, and we would hope ownership feels the same way."
With Evans' local roots and the Houston Texans lacking a true No. 1 receiver, there's been ample buzz in the Bayou City about a hypothetical homecoming of sorts. But given where the Texans currently stand, as well as the promising nature of next year's draft class, it might be wise to hold off on making a blockbuster trade—at least for now.
It's possible the Buccaneers just use the franchise tag to keep Evans on the roster next season, though this seems unlikely at the moment. If the two sides are this far away from a deal, it's difficult to envision Tampa Bay shelling out upwards of $20 million to keep him around in 2024. Such a scenario would also complicate the facilitation of a trade, simultaneously handcuffing the Bucs if they are indeed looking to move on from Evans. Perhaps a team swoops in and makes a trade for Evans, then extends him. But with the Texans currently set to have the NFL's third-most cap space in 2024, according to Spotrac, it seems to make more sense for Houston to take its chances next offseason rather than part ways with additional draft capital in the present.
There's also the potential concern that acquiring Evans could hamper the development of a young receivers group in Houston. Nico Collins is just 24, but he also has his rookie deal expire after next season, and his 2023 campaign could be used to see whether or not he has the ability to be a long-term No. 1 option in the NFL. Then there's rookies Tank Dell and Xavier Hutchinson, as well as 2022 second-rounder John Metchie, who would likely have their roles diminished if a receiver of Evans' caliber were to join the mix. Maybe the Texans have their go-to wide-out of the future on the roster already. If not, Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Johnny Wilson (Florida State) and Xavier Worthy (Texas) headline a loaded 2024 draft class at the position.
Despite the aforementioned reasons for holding off on making a trade for Evans, there is obvious value to acquiring him, as well. For all the possibility of slowing down the growth of Houston's young receivers, having Evans on the roster could accelerate the development of rookie QB C.J. Stroud. And let's face it, as this year's No. 2 overall pick, Stroud's importance to the organization surpasses that of his current receiving options. If the Texans were able to trade for Evans, then extend him on a high-priced, short-term contract, the pain of parting with draft picks would certainly be subdued.
The Texans do not appear close to being a playoff caliber team as currently constituted. They're down one starter on the offensive line for the entire season (second-year left guard Kenyon Green), with another sidelined to start the year (rookie center Juice Scruggs). And while first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie defensive end Will Anderson Jr. have spurred optimism on the defensive side of the ball, there are still issues to be worked out, as fans saw throughout the preseason.
Josh Criswell is the sports editor at Chron. He is a Houston native and has previously worked at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Huntsville Item and iHeartMedia. He enjoys Australian Rules Football, LSU game days in Baton Rouge and being tortured by the DePaul men's basketball program.