Detroit Lions trade rumors: An all-in move for Mike Evans?

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moving into the post-Tom Brady era, the future of Mike Evans has been an easy question. The veteran receiver is entering the final year of his contract, and extension talks with the Buccaneers have reached an impasse.

On Friday, Evans' agent released a statement with deadline of next Saturday (Sept. 9) for contract negotiations. That pushes the notion that this will be Evans' last season in Tampa Bay, and further invites the idea he could be traded--if not soon, then maybe by the trade deadline if the Buccaneers have the kind of season many expect.

Evans, he of nine straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career and four Pro Bowl selections, has a strong resume and presumably some good years left at 30 years old. He is not known to have asked for a trade, but even on a theoretical level multiple teams would have interest.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press fueled a little bit of Evans-to-the Detroit Lions fire. If there were a template for the type of receiver the Lions could use to elevate their offense, Evans might be it.

Detroit Lions trade rumors: Increasing buzz for an all-in move to get Mike Evans

On the "Up And Adams Show" with Kay Adams on Friday, former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib was all-in on the prospect of the Lions getting Evans.

Pro Football Network has the Lions on their list of possible trade destinations for Evans. Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports reminded us about a prediction that Lions general manager Brad Holmes would start to trade assets in Year 3 of his tenure in Detroit, which we are now in.

If Holmes were asked about the possibility of trading for Evans, he'd surely offer a word salad while saying next to nothing.

There's also the factor of having to give Evans a contract extension, which could be a tricky thing as he crosses into his 30s. Trading for him would require parting with multiple draft picks, possibly including a first-rounder.

It feels unlikely Evans will be traded, at least until the Oct. 31 deadline is closer. But the idea of the Lions getting him, even as sheer speculation right now, is interesting and the buzz is slowly growing.