If the end is in sight in Tampa Bay, do not expect Mike Evans to pout

TAMPA — The celebration, if you can call it that, felt more like the airing of a grievance than an act of joy. No overhand spike, no dancing in the end zone. Mike Evans tossed the ball aside and didn’t wait around for high fives or hugs before sprinting straight to the bench following his first touchdown of the season in Minnesota.

Cade Otton, meanwhile, leapt and threw his arms in the air. Cody Mauch signaled touchdown from 30 yards away. Baker Mayfield pumped his fist and shouted towards the Bucs bench. Trey Palmer ran to the end zone to congratulate Evans, but ended up chasing him halfway across the turf.

Of all the players on the field, Evans seemed more like a guy lugging a timecard and lunchbox than the rest.

So, was his reaction, in fact, a sly commentary on his unsettled contract status with the Bucs?

Not according to Evans. He said Friday he had a Minnesota-specific celebration in mind but banged his knee on that drive and “was kinda tired as well,” so he skipped the histrionics and hurriedly found a seat on the bench.

Fair enough.

But the fact the question needed to be asked is, by itself, a significant storyline in Tampa Bay in 2023. The Bucs chose not to complete a contract extension with Evans before the season began, and now the franchise’s all-time leading receiver says he is prepared to become a free agent when the season ends.

Or, at least, he said that last week. He no longer wants to talk about contracts.

“I’m just happy to be in the position I’m in,” Evans said.

You would expect nothing less from Evans. The only thing steadier than his production on the field has been his grace everywhere else.

In a position often populated by divas and blowhards, Evans has been a picture of dignity during his 10 seasons in Tampa Bay. None of the selfishness of Antonio Brown or the boat-rocking of Terrell Owens or the bombast of Randy Moss. Evans, 30, is the rock on which the Bucs resurgence was built.

And yet, the absence of a visible ego does not mean Evans is without considerable pride. You do not climb the NFL’s all-time receiving list without a healthy belief in yourself and your value as a player.

Even if you believe the Bucs made the right business decision to put off contract talks until next spring — and I’ve previously said it was the smart move — you can easily understand if Evans was wounded by the failure to commit.

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So you look for clues of discontent. You wait for the inevitable sign of a disgruntled star.

And you see … Evans smiling and playing cards in the locker room.

Sitting around a table with Devin White, Shaq Barrett, Ryan Jensen and Russell Gage, he looks as if free agency and high-stakes negotiations are the furthest thing from his mind.

“People don’t know, but Mike is funny as hell,” said veteran receiver David Moore, who is on Tampa Bay’s practice squad. “He’s all about getting his work done, but he’s also out there keeping everybody happy and on top of their game. Teaching the young guys, giving back to the game. Just a good role model.”

Palmer, who was in middle school when Evans was a Bucs rookie in 2014, sits just a few feet away from his locker. Any fears of being intimidated by a receiver with a Hall of Fame resume dissipated quickly when Evans took Palmer aside after one of their first practices.

“I ran a route and didn’t do it the way I should have, and he took the time to tell me where I made a wrong move and what I needed to do to get it right,” said Palmer. “Ever since then, he’s been there for anything I’ve needed. He’s like a big brother showing me the way.”

The 28-yard touchdown catch Evans made in Minnesota was the 82nd of his career, which is 48 more than any other Tampa Bay player in history. He reached the 80-TD mark in his 137th game, which puts him among the 10 quickest receivers to reach that level since the NFL merger. That means he’s in the company of players such as Moss, Owens, Jerry Rice, Marvin Harrison and Calvin Johnson.

Is it possible this will be his final home opener at Raymond James Stadium? Yeah, it’s not out of the question.

Is it possible Evans will allow the business side of the NFL change who he is during his tenth season in Tampa Bay?

Don’t bet on it.

“He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had,” said tight end Ko Kieft. “Tries to get to know everyone on the team; consummate professional. The kind of guy you go to for help, whether it’s football or your personal life. He’s a great guy to look up to in this locker room.”

As for the question of whether Evans is vindictively boycotting touchdown festivities due to his contract status? You needed only wait for one more quarter last Sunday to see him leaping high in celebration in the end zone.

It was after Palmer’s first NFL score.

John Romano can be reached at jromano@tampabay.com. Follow @romano_tbtimes.

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