Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign Bill Belichick as their new head coach.

Patriot GM is hired by the Tampa Bay Bucs to be their new head coach. Following Todd Bowles’ retirement

“He most definitely has,” Bowles remarked of Mayfield, who in the Bucs’ first season following the departure of Tom Brady guided the team to an NFC South championship and a 10-9 record. “Business is business, so it’s obviously too early to discuss that, but Baker had an incredible year. We adore him. The guys adore him. And we’ll find out what comes next.”

Outside the locker room, general manager Jason Licht gave Mayfield a long embrace, expressing the organization’s affections for the journeyman quarterback who had gone from being the first selection to playing for his fourth team in two seasons.

This season, there have been no discussions about a new contract for Mayfield; however, in the winter, his reps will meet with the Bucs to talk about one.

Mayfield, whose 349 passing yards on Sunday were the third-most in a Buccaneers playoff game, remarked, “I love this guys.” All year long, I said that. It’s also real. That’s what I mean. To bring back many important components, to put this back together, and to get it into Year 2 of the system would mean a great deal to me. You can make incredible progress in this regard. That would be wonderful.

“I can’t say enough good things about this organization and the opportunity they given me this year, but who knows how it will all work out? I’m just grateful and hoping for the best.”

Licht has also stated that the group intends to negotiate a new contract with Evans. Evans completed with over 1,000 receiving yards for the tenth consecutive season, becoming the only player in NFL history to accomplish so. Evans is the franchise’s all-time leader in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, receptions, and total touchdowns.

Evans agreed with Licht when he told ESPN that Evans becoming a lifelong Buccaneer “would mean everything for the franchise, ownership, all of us.”

“I have expressed my love and want to stay here on record,” said Evans, who finished the playoffs with 147 receiving yards and a score. It would be fantastic if I could finish with just one team, as not many guys manage to do so. However, we’ll see. I’m still working on moving past this setback.”

Evans and his representative, Deryk Gilmore, had given themselves until September 9th, 2023, to finalize a new contract before the 2023–24 regular season began, failing which they would hold off on negotiations until the offseason.

Evans was frustrated, according to sources who spoke with ESPN, that the Bucs did not make an offer before the deadline.

Evans thinks that after the Super Bowl, there will be discussions.

Being a Buccaneer has great meaning for Evans and his family. “I wasn’t a Bucs fan growing up or anything, but regardless of what happens, we’ll always be Bucs fans. I adore both the franchise and the city.”

On Monday, Bowles was questioned over Evans’ potential choice of uniform.

“I never give it a second thought. It bothers me to be questioned about it. I have no desire to learn about it. And I sincerely hope that doesn’t occur,” he replied.

Chris Godwin, a wide receiver, expressed his hope that both guys will be back.

Godwin remarked of Evans, who has played beside him since being chosen in 2017, “It would be wonderful.” “It sounds and feels so strange to me that he’s not here. That we’ve arrived at this stage bothers me. However, hopefully, we can continue this.

“Given Mike’s character and skill set, it is understandable to wish that actions had been taken sooner; yet, that is the pragmatic aspect of the situation. That’s beyond our control. But once more, I hope he returns and that we may carry out this activity once more.”

Regarding Mayfield’s possible comeback, Godwin remarked, “He fit right in.” He seemed to match the mold of the other boxers that we had around, individuals going through similar struggles.

“I believe that everyone loves and respects Baker greatly. Although we have no control over the business aspect of it, we hope they can pull it off.”