Top NY Jets WR target expected to be available in free agency

The Jets might have a chance to sign Mike Evans

Justin Fried

Mike Evans / Kevin Sabitus/GettyImages

The NY Jets will be keeping a close eye on the wide receiver market in free agency this offseason, and one top name is expected to be available. That player is Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Mike Evans.

Evans and the Buccaneers have been in talks about a potential extension over the last couple of months, but nothing has materialized to this point. That's not expected to change as we approach free agency.

Evans' contract is set to void on Monday, preventing the team from reaching an extension with him before the start of free agency in March. Barring a sudden change, Evans will be a free agent next month.

This, of course, does not mean that the Buccaneers won't ultimately re-sign him. The 10-year NFL veteran has played his entire career in Tampa and seems to be very open to a reunion. That reunion isn't a guarantee, though.

The NY Jets should have an opportunity to sign Mike Evans

Evans has made it clear in the past that he'd love to remain in Tampa Bay, and the Bucs seem open to re-signing him as well. Many believe that Evans will eventually re-sign him this offseason, but other teams will be interested.

The Jets are expected to be among the most prominent teams in the wide receiver market this offseason. The Jets whiffed on their Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman signings last year and will be looking to add help around Garrett Wilson.

The Jets have been connected to a variety of high-end wide receiver options this offseason, including the likes of Davante Adams, Tee Higgins, and Calvin Ridley. Evans would absolutely be one of the top targets on the market if he shakes free.

The five-time Pro Bowler has recorded 1,000+ yards in every season of his decade-long NFL career. He's coming off his most productive campaign since 2018, as he finished the 2023 season with 79 catches for 1,255 yards and a league-leading 13 touchdowns.

Evans remains one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, even at 30 years old — he's shown no signs of slowing down. It's hard to think of a better realistic option for the Jets if Evans does, indeed, become available.

The Bucs were holding out hope that they'd be able to reach an agreement with Evans before the start of free agency. Unfortunately for them, their star wide receiver appears destined to hit the open market.

The Jets should be all over this come March.

Justin Fried

Justin Fried is an editor for FanSided who has over seven years of experience covering the NFL and various other sports. A diehard Jets fan since birth, Justin has served as the editor for The Jet Press since 2019, interviewing athletes such as Sauce Gardner, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Joe Klecko, and many others. Justin has also worked closely with brands like Red Bull to help highlight the niche sectors of the sporting world. His four-part series on the sport of breaking remains one of his proudest pieces of work. In his spare time, Justin is an avid pro wrestling fan who is fortunate enough to have traveled to nearly 30 different countries.