Sunday was a huge day for the Buccaneers, who had to grind out a win against the tougher-than-expected Saints to secure their fourth straight NFC South title and their second playoff appearance of the newly minted Baker Mayfield Era.
It was an even bigger day for star receiver Mike Evans, who missed three games this year with an injury and had his streak of 1,000-yard seasons (and the $3 million bonus that went with it if he hit that milestone) in peril because of it. Evans entered Week 18 with 915 yards.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield did his best to pump the ball to Evans, but he had just 995 yards when the Buccaneers scored what appeared to be the winning touchdown. When the Saints made a frenzied attempt at a comeback, though, in the final minute, they left the Bucs just enough time for one play.
And Mayfield completed a nine-yard pass to Evans, pushing him to 1,004 yards, earning him a $3 million bonus and tying him with legendary receiver Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, with 11.
On the sideline, Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews was watching closely. There was the initial excitement of Evans' accomplishment, but then angst at his reaction--Evans simply walked off the field.
Speaking on her "Calm Down " podcast she shares with Charissa Thompson, Andrews explained that she'd hoped to interview Evans after the play.
.@MikeEvans13_ was mic'd up for his record-breaking catch and it's incredible 🔊 pic.twitter.com/AfvoV0Vp73
— NFL (@NFL) January 6, 2025
"He just walked off. It was like, ‘Nooo, come back!’" she said. "But it was pretty (expletive) cool, what a bad-ass move, like, just walk on off. Sarah, your friend Sarah Walsh was standing there, we wanted to interview him with Baker and it was like, ‘No, no!’ But it was great. Frickin’ awesome."
Said Evans, after the game: "It's been hard to do for 11 straight years, and to be tied with one of the -- if not the greatest receiver of all time -- it means a lot to me and my family. NFC South champs, and then tied in history with Jerry Rice, so that made it that much [sweeter]."
