History on the line. The huddle breaks.
With 36 seconds on the clock, the Buccaneers had time for one more play. Up 27-19, instead of kneeling and running out the clock as usual, both Head Coach Todd Bowles and Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen opted to script a singular play for Mike Evans to chase immortality.
He lined up in the slot on the right side of the formation then motioned to the left slot position. Evans stoically halted, as if etched in stone, before the snap. In the shotgun, Baker Mayfield took the ball then pivoted his eyes to No.13. Evans was given a free release off the line and he ran a quick out-and-up. As he crossed the 40-yard-line, Evans spiked the ball into the ground, coming face-to-face with a feat only one Hall of Famer has achieved. Evans recorded his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season – the longest-such streak to begin a player’s career. In doing so, Evans tied Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice (11 from 1986-96) for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in NFL history.
“The conversation was alright, ‘Obviously we cannot turn the ball over and give them another chance,'” said Baker Mayfield. “‘But how do we want to formulate this play to give Mike the ball where he cannot get double covered?’ That was what we came up with and Mike did the rest. He deserves that. This guy does so much for the community, this team, this organization for years and for him to reach that peak 11 years in a row and tie Jerry Rice is unbelievable.”
Despite missing three games during the 2024 season with a hamstring injury, Evans willed himself to accomplish the improbable. Evans returned to action in Week 12 and at the time still needed 665 yards over the final seven games to surpass the 1,000-yard mark. In Week 18 against the Saints, Evans needed 85 yards and etched his name in NFL annals with his ninth catch of the day on the final play. Cheers rang out in Raymond James Stadium as the Bucs’ clinched their fourth-consecutive division title on the heels of Evans’ solidifying his place in Canton. He is one of four players in history with 11,000-plus receiving yards and 90-plus touchdowns through their first 10 seasons alongside Marvin Harrison, Randy Moss and Jerry Rice.
“I was hoping to get a shot because I cannot pass up history,” smiled Evans. “Coach Bowles did not want to pass it up nor Liam [Coen], so they had me go out there and get that because it has been hard to do for 11-straight years and to be tied with one of – if not the greatest receiver of all time – it means a lot to me and my family…The defense knew the record was on the line too. They were trying to get off the field and obviously they [Saints] were down eight points, so they [defense] were trying to stop them to give me another opportunity to chase history. I appreciate them for that.”
