Bucs news: Mike Evans in no rush to work out contract extension

Star wide receiver Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is entering the final year of his contract. Although he's expected to get a lucrative long-term deal, Evans isn't in any rush to get a new deal done with the Bucs.

One of the primary fixtures for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the last few years has been wide receiver Mike Evans, who is set to enter his fifth year in the league.

However, Evans doesn't appear to be in any hurry to workout out an extension with the Bucs as he enters the final year of his rookie deal that will pay him $13.2 million, according to Trevor Sikkema of Pewter Report.

But, as the time draws near, the question centers on when that pay day will happen. Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore of Day 1 Sports & Entertainment, told PewterReport.com that he and his client are in no rush. Last year, the Bucs picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract and he is set to play the 2018 season making $13.2 million.

“We’re not doing any negotiating (right now). We’re just going to wait and play it out,” Gilmore said. “We think that the Buccaneers are a great organization. We feel that they really care about Mike; they care about the direction of the franchise and where it’s going.”

Despite dealing with nagging injuries, Evans has been a highly productive player for Tampa Bay recording more than 1,000 receiving yards and 70 catches in each campaign while hauling in 32 touchdown receptions over that span. He is coming off a strong 2017 campaign where he had team-best markets of 71 catches for 1,001 receiving yards with three touchdowns in 15 games played.

Evans is already third all-time in Bucs history with 4,579 receiving yards and 309 reception along with being second in career touchdowns catches. He should move up to the top spot next season in both receiving yards and touchdowns while being second in receptions only trailing James Wilder.

If he's able to remain healthy, it should put him in line to receive a lucrative deal on the open market next offseason if were to play out his final year. He is one of the league's most talented wideouts that has great size at 6-foot-5 and 231 lbs while also demonstrating big-play ability. If anything, his contract situation is something to keep an eye on over the offseason.