3 things Bucs need to do now that Mike Evans is signed

One of the biggest talking points for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers heading into the offseason was if they'd be able to bring back Mike Evans. Well, on Monday morning, Evans and the Bucs agreed on a two-year deal worth $52 million that keeps the long-time Bucs receiver in Tampa Bay for at least a couple more years.

The Bucs spent their first-round pick on Evans back in 2014 and this is the only team he's ever played for during his NFL career. He's yet to have a season where he hasn't amassed 1,000 yards receiving and the fewest touchdowns he ever had in his NFL career was three back in the 2016 season.

Now that Evans is back, what else do the Bucs need to focus on this offseason?

Bolstering the OL

The Bucs have to beef up their offensive line this offseason and they especially need to ensure that their interior offensive line is better than it was a season ago. Robert Hainsey had a rough go of it in 2023, surrendering four sacks (tied for eighth-most in the league) and finishing the year with an overall PFF grade of 52.8. Finding a better option at center is something the Bucs should be looking to do this offseason.

The two guards were weak this past season as well. Matt Feiler, like most of the offensive line, struggled in run-blocking, finishing the season with a 52.2 PFF run-blocking grade. He's also turning 32 this summer so it's time for the Bucs to find a younger and more efficient starting left guard. Cody Mauch struggled mightily at right guard, allowing seven sacks on the year (third-most in the league) and was even worse in run-blocking than his fellow offensive linemen.

If the Bucs want to be better offensively, their run game has to be better and we'll get more into that but the offensive line has to be able to allow for the running backs to do their job accurately. The front office needs to get to work on ensuring the offensive line is the best it can possibly be.