Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans earns $3 million bonus after hitting 1,000-yard mark

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) receiver Mike Evans earned a nice payday and made some NFL history in the 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints (5-12) in Sunday’s regular season finale.

Evans topped 1,000 yards, earning himself a $3 million contract bonus. Evans hit the 1,000-yard mark for the 11th consecutive season, tying Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history. The five-time Pro Bowler needed 85 yards and finished the game with 89.

Mike Evans hits 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons and earns an extra $3M in incentives 💰

The Bucs WR secures the NFC South AND the bag.

Details: https://t.co/eJkGRaxPHXpic.twitter.com/ZchvvcKgmM

— 5 GOATs (@5GOATs_) January 5, 2025

Evans recorded 1,000 yards in dramatic fashion, as Tampa Bay already had control of the game when the offense got the ball back with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. In that situation, most teams would kneel it out and go home. But the Buccaneers wanted to do right by Evans, who missed three games earlier this season with a hamstring injury.

Offensive coordinator Liam Coen dialed up a pass play designed for Evans, who hauled in one final catch for nine yards, bringing him to 1,004 yards.

“He’s earned it… I’m really happy for him,” head coach Todd Bowles said after the game.

Mike Evans joins Jerry Rice as NFL history makers

The 31-year-old has been as consistent as they come, and one day could find himself a Pro Football Hall of Famer. But for now, he remains the key to success for the Buccaneers’ offense, which entered Sunday’s game the No. 3 unit in the NFL. His contributions helped Tampa Bay win its fourth consecutive NFC South title, which it wrapped up by taking down New Orleans.

“Let’s put things in perspective,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said earlier this week. “You’re talking about tying somebody [Rice] that has all receiving records across the NFL throughout history. You’re talking about somebody that’s consistently been somebody in this community that has raised people up, continued to be the face of this franchise and be there for people, so that record is important for us. To get him to that – obviously, winning is the most important part but those two things go hand in hand.

“Mike is a huge part of this offense and a huge part of this passing game and so getting him involved early and often is a lot of the reason we’ve had success. Those things go hand in hand. There’s balance and the most important thing is winning but I see it playing out – if we win, Mike is getting the record.”

The Buccaneers won the game, and Evans got the record — just as Mayfield predicted.