Baker Mayfield and Mike Evans are both slated to hit free agency this offseason, but if Mayfield had it his way, both stars would re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“Obviously, we want to get the band back together,” Mayfield said, via Eric Edholm of NFL media.

The Buccaneers went 9-8 and won the NFC South division title this past season and then proceeded to rout the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs before falling to the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round.

Much of Tampa Bay’s success was due to the connection between Mayfield and Evans, and Mayfield is hoping that continues in 2024.

“I understand where Mike is in his career,” Mayfield said. “… He’s a huge target. The guy has done it so consistently, 10 years in a row with 1,000 (receiving) yards. Very few people can ever say that. … The guy is unreal. Everyone wanted to put an age on it and say that he’s not going to be good anymore, and I think he took it personally.”

Evans turned 30 years old last August but still managed to haul in 79 receptions for 1,255 yard and a league-leading 13 touchdowns this season.

As for whether or not both Mayfield and Evans returning to Tampa is realistic? Mayfield thinks it can get done, but it will need to occur in a certain fashion.

“So we’ve both voiced our opinions that we want to be together, but it’s got to be the right way,” Mayfield said. “Mike deserves to be a Buccaneer for life. He’s done so much for that community, so much for the franchise. He’s put his time in. I can’t say enough about the guy as a player, and just as a guy in general.”

In other words, both guys need to get paid.

We’ll see if Baker Mayfield is still throwing touchdown passes to Mike Evans at Raymond James Stadium next season.

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