Is Mike Evans the G.O.A.T? Chiefs’ receiver thinks so

Welcome to Tremendous Bowl week. No, the Buccaneers will not be part of it— Mike Evans was although. In lots of methods 2024 wound up being extra about Mike Evans as a person than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a group. Whereas the Buccaneers did clinch their fourth consecutive division title, the season ended with an early postseason exit in opposition to group that (on the time) Tampa Bay was anticipated to beat.

Mike Evans, alternatively, made NFL historical past. Evans fought his approach again from damage to play within the ultimate seven video games of the season, in an effort to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving— Keeeping his personal streak alive, whereas tying Jerry Rice for essentially the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in a profession. When Evans first returned to motion, following the group’s bye week, the duty appeared lofty. With simply these seven Sundays remaining, Evans wanted 666 yards— Not unattainable (clearly), nonetheless, contemplating on the time he had amassed simply 334 yards by way of the primary seven(ish) video games of the 12 months 1,000 yards appeared unlikely.

Because of large video games in opposition to the Panthers and Chargers, in addition to a last-second nod from his head coach to chase his place in historical past, Mike Evans etched himself into NFL lore—once more.

Picture by Julio Aguilar/Getty Pictures

2024, was a profitable season by most metrics for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an entire, nonetheless, the influence it is going to have on Mike Evans’ legacy stands alone. Not solely the achievement of reaching 1,000 yards however the method during which Evans arrived on the milestone earned him greater than a report, it created a league-wide second. Come time for the Corridor of Fame voters to put eyes on Mike Evans’ résumé, he will not have essentially the most catches, he cant lay declare to highest peak throughout his period— He’ll have excessive yardage totals and fairly a number of touchdowns (at present, Evans is already top-10 in NFL historical past with a semi-legitmate shot of ending top-5), however there are many gamers who compile stats.

When you’re not a drop-everything celebrity you want moments. Moments matter, moments are remembered. Except for Evans’ Tremendous Bowl victory, a sport during which he netted only one reception (it was the sport’s longest and Evans added fairly a number of game-altering penalties), week 18 of the 2024 season provided the largest particular person second of Mike Evans’ profession. It pressured the NFL world to pause and take a look at Mike Evans, give him his flowers and acknowledge his accomplishments. Each nationwide sports activities speak present might not have ran with Mike Evans within the A-block however his title was featured in a section, his credentials drilled into the minds of viewers for hours on finish.

It is becoming that in a season which can be remembered extra for what Mike Evans achieved similar to his group, he was individually acknowledged within the preamble for the league’s largest stage.

When requested who he believes one of the best large receiver in NFL historical past is, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ go catcher Xavier Worthy responded with Mike Evans—

“I’m not even gonna lie. A lot of people aren’t gonna like this answer, but I feel like Mike Evans, after he’s done, is gonna be the best… I mean, if you have the most 1,000-yard seasons, that makes you the best.”

Whereas few reward Mike Evans greater than Bucs’ followers, Worthy placing his title into the dialog of best of all time is a brand new degree for the Buccaneers’ star. Evans is commonly underrated and neglected on a nationwide scale, however even these wrapped in essentially the most die-hard of Buccaneers’ fandom can be hard-pressed to make a case Mike Evans is a greater large receiver than Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens— Even gamers of his period, like Julio Jones and Davante Adams, are continuously thought of much better.

Nonetheless, whether or not Evans’ title being talked about by Worthy is justifiable or not, it speaks to the facility of moments and what the 2024 season has meant for Mike Evans’ profession and legacy.

Ballot
Is Mike Evans a Corridor of Famer?

88%

Sure! Dumb query! He has been for some time now.

(24 votes)

11%

I was nervous however, after this 12 months I really feel assured. Mike Evans will make it into the Corridor of Fame and I. CAN’T. WAIT.

(3 votes)

0%

Corridor of superb, certain. Corridor of Fame, no.

(0 votes)

27 votes whole

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