Mike Evans has an opportunity to inch nearer to historical past in 2023.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver has recorded not less than 1,000 receiving yards in every of the primary 9 seasons of his NFL profession. Whereas that is perhaps anticipated for one of many sport’s prime receivers, Evans is the one participant in NFL historical past to document 1,000-yard seasons within the first 9 years of their profession. He is additionally solely the seventh receiver to document that many consecutive seasons at any level in a profession.
As he sits in a three-way tie for the third-most consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards, Evans is 2 seasons in need of the general document. That’s held by Corridor of Famer Jerry Rice, who completed the feat in 11 straight seasons from 1986-1996. Rice, who had 14 whole 1,000-yard seasons over the course of his 20-year profession, began his document streak in his second NFL season.
Rice is the NFL’s all-time receiving chief by a big margin, his 22,895 profession yards nicely forward of Larry Fitzgerald’s whole of 17,492. So Evans, who’s presently forty fifth all-time with 10,425 yards, is aware of that any receiving document held by the legend goes to sit down at a excessive bar, and he admitted that that is one which he is striving to interrupt.
“I take into consideration. It is proper there, so I am gonna undoubtedly attempt to go get that,” Evans instructed KPRC 2 Houston’s Ari Alexander throughout his soccer camp in Texas earlier this week. “I am already considered one of one proper now. I hope I can cross the good Jerry Rice and his document. Clearly, no one will cross his information in all probability, like ever, whole. However that 1,000-yard streak document could be cool to have.”
Evans can have an opportunity to tie Randy Moss for the second-most consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards this season. With Tom Brady out of Tampa Bay, some may assume that Evans may not be capable to make it to that mark this season — Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask are competing for the beginning job.
However Evans has solely performed three of his 9 seasons with Brady at quarterback. And previous to Brady, he wasn’t catching passes from Corridor of Fame quarterbacks, both, as Jameis Winston was the quarterback for a lot of the time previous to Brady’s arrival in 2020. The truth is, Evans’ three highest receiving yard seasons got here with out Brady.
One factor that could possibly be in Evans’ favor? He has been actually constant at staying wholesome, taking part in in not less than 15 video games in each season of his profession.
Evans thinks that is all he wants to increase his streak to 10 in 2023.
“I ought to get 1,000 yards if I am wholesome. Yearly,” Evans mentioned. “It ain’t that. I wish to be one of many tops within the league. I wish to be successful video games. That is what I care about.”
As Evans says he is targeted on successful video games this upcoming season, the Buccaneers can have a little bit of a tricky job to increase their playoff streak to 4 seasons in 2023. After all, Brady left, however the Buccaneers additionally had a dropping document en path to successful the NFC South final season.
Nonetheless, Evans has excessive hopes for 2023. And he has excessive hopes for whoever is throwing him the ball, too.
“Kyle’s improved so much,” Evans mentioned. “I am actually impressed with what I’ve seen from Baker. Whoever the quarterback might be, I am constructive they will make the correct alternative and we will win some video games.”
Nationwide Soccer League
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans
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