4 teams the Buccaneers beat out in order to re-sign Mike Evans

The Bucs definitely had their competition.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike Evans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike Evans | Gregory Shamus/GettyImages
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3. New York Jets

Last year, the New York Jets made it abundantly clear that they only had a 'Plan A.' That plan was to trade for Aaron Rodgers and cater to his desires.

And then Week 1 happened. Rodgers went down with a season-ending Achilles injury and the Jets' season was over.

But, Rodgers isn't done. By no means was he going to retire after that injury. That's not like him. It's not how he's wired. Now, he's ready to come back and prove that he's far from done in the NFL. And, even though he's got Garrett Wilson, Rodgers would likely prefer to have one more weapon at his disposal.

Evans was definitely an option for the Jets, but now they will either have to turn to the rest of the free agent crop or wait for the 2024 NFL Draft in order to pair someone with Wilson.

The AFC should thank Tampa Bay for doing them a favor. If Evans had gone to the Jets, that New York team might be unstoppable, assuming they fill a couple other holes this offseason.

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