Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht pointed to an NBA legend when trying to articulate what has made wide receiver Mike Evans such a steady player through the years.
Licht told The Athletic’s Zak Keefer some of Evans’ success is down to his mindset and singular focus on the game.
“We had to force him to take a day off in training camp,” the GM said.
Licht believes there’s something almost innate in the six-time Pro Bowler that sets him apart.
“Why is Michael Jordan Michael Jordan?” he said. “I don’t know. He’s just wired different than the rest.”
Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum, who’s in his fourth year with the team, offered his perspective.
“You can see it in his eyes,” he told Keefer. “If you wanna win a rep against him, you have to attack him. Ain’t no freebies, ain’t no gimmies with Mike. No way.”
When all is said and done, Evans probably won’t be remembered as a historically great wideout on par with inner circle Hall of Famers. He ranks 35th all time in receptions (841) and 23rd in yards (12,735), and he has never led the NFL in either category.
Still, the 32-year-old has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons, a feat only matched by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. That pretty much speaks for itself.
Evans also asserted that “a lot of guys in my situation couldn’t come close to what I’ve done.”
“Come to Tampa, a team not known for offense … revolving door at quarterback … the most doubled receiver in the league since 2015 …” he said to Keefer.
There’s a good chance Evans earns a bust in Canton, Ohio, down the road, and that would be the ultimate validation for what he has done in the league.
