When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up preseason and began preparations for the regular season opener against the Vikings, they were presented with a new challenge. That challenge was a one week deadline to get a deal done for veteran receiver Mike Evans. Now, part of the preparation for this week has been coming up with a contract extension for their most productive player in team history that would ensure he retires a Buccaneer.
But did it have to come to this stalemate, where both sides have been reportedly not even close in talks for some time?