Mike Evans has Jerry Rice in his sights. The Buccaneers’ wide receiver already holds the NFL record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start his career with nine, but now he has even more history on his mind as he enters Year 10. Evans is just two 1,000-yard seasons away from a match-breaking Rice’s record streak of 11.
“I’m thinking about it. It’s there, so I’m definitely going to try and get that,” Evans said KPRC 2 Houston Tuesday. “I’m already one of the one. I’m hoping I can get past the great Jerry Rice and his record. Obviously no one will beat his records, as always, total. But that 1,000-yard streak record would be cool to have .”
Evans was a prolific receiver from Day 1 with the Buccaneers after the club drafted him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft from Texas A&M. As a rookie, he put down 1,051 yards and hasn’t looked back since. Meanwhile, Rice fell just 73 yards short of a 1,000-yard campaign during his rookie season, but then rattled off the record 11 straight from 1986-1996. Rice also holds the NFL record for most 1,000-yard seasons of all time with a total of 14.
Evans is already tied with five points for third-most 1,000-yard season of all time, tying in with fellow legends like Larry Fitzgerald, Terrell Owens, Jimmy Smith and Tim Brown. If he reached this milestone again in 2023, he would tie for the second highest of all time with Hall of Famer Randy Moss.
Because of this start to his career, reaching the 1000 meter mark isn’t even something Evans raises his eyebrows anymore. It’s just the bar he’s set for himself.
“I should run 1,000 meters when I’m healthy. Every year,” Evans said. “It’s not. I want to be one of the top in the league. I want to win games. That’s what I care about.”
Of course, it will be interesting to see if the streak can continue into 2023 after Tom Brady’s retirement. While Evans has finished seasons in the 1,000 meters without Brady in the past, moving from the seven-time Super Bowl champ to Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask — who will battle it out for the runway this summer — will be an adjustment.
“Kyle has improved a lot,” Evans said. “I’m really impressed with what I’ve seen from Baker. Whoever the quarterback will be, I’m sure they’re going to make the right choice and we’re going to win some games.”
Evans is already 10th on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list with 10,425. If he gets another 1,000 yards in 2023, that would allow him to surpass some of the all-time greats – like Fitzgerald, Owens, Julio Jones, Marvin Harrison and others – and put himself behind only Moss and Rice, which would be historic in itself.