The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came crashing back down to earth earlier this week, falling to the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 25-11 on Monday night.

The listless effort was more of what many expected to see from the Buccaneers this season, but the club surprised many by getting off to a 2-0 start under Baker Mayfield‘s direction.

But now, Tampa Bay has been hit with a reality check, re-opening the door to the possibility that it could potentially move wide receiver Mike Evans ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline.

Evans was unable to reach a long-term agreement with the Bucs prior to the season, meaning he will be a free agent come springtime. The Buccaneers will likely begin a rebuild during the offseason (does anyone truly expect Tampa Bay to stick with Mayfield moving forward?), so the chances of the 30-year-old Evans returning don’t seem too great.

Could the Washington Commanders step in and try to strike a deal for the star wide out?

The Commanders have gotten off to a 2-1 start this season. Yes, they had a rough go of it this past weekend in a 37-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but they remain right in the thick of the NFC East race.

Washington already has Terry McLaurin in its receiving corps, but if it could put Evans alongside of him, the Commanders would suddenly have one of the better one-two punches in football.

Washington could offer the Bucs a 2024 first-round draft pick and a fourth-rounder, providing the Buccaneers with some great draft capital to help facilitate a rebuild. Meanwhile, the Commanders would land one of the NFL’s best and most consistent receivers.

Mike Evans has already logged 17 catches for 297 yards and three touchdowns in 2023 and has already set an NFL record by recording nine straight 1,000-yard campaigns to start his career.