Despite missing three full games due to injury in 2024, Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans completed his mission of topping 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons in the NFL. The six-time Pro Bowler and franchise icon is entering the final year of the two-year, $41MM contract he signed in March 2024, and he therefore profiles as an obvious extension candidate.
However, prior to putting pen to paper on his current pact, Evans appeared to be on track to hit the open market, and he considered the Chiefs and Texans to be viable destinations if he had become a free agent and left Tampa. So, while it is difficult to imagine Evans in anything other than a Bucs uniform, he has at least entertained the notion in recent history.
That reality, combined with his age (he will turn 32 next month) and the Bucs’ heavy investment in the WR position could lead Evans elsewhere in 2026. Indeed, Tampa Bay re-upped Chris Godwin on a three-year, $66MM deal before free agency opened this year, and the club surprised many by adding Ohio State standout Emeka Egbuka in the first round (No. 19 overall) of this year’s draft. Jalen McMillan was selected in the third round of the 2024 draft, and he flashed as a rookie, securing 37 catches for 461 yards and eight scores.
On the other hand, newly-extended GM Jason Licht has made a habit of retaining his own talent. And, with the Bucs firmly in the midst of a competitive window, there is certainly an argument to be made for retaining Evans, who has continued to be productive into his early 30s.
That is especially true in light of the fact that Godwin has operated primarily in the slot since becoming a full-time starter in 2019 (outside of Dave Canales’ one-and-done season as offensive coordinator in 2023). Egbuka likewise spent most of his college career working out of the slot, so even with multiple high-end contracts and premium draft picks populating the wide receiver depth chart, Evans’ skill set as a dangerous boundary target is hardly redundant.
Plus, the use of void years in Evans’ current deal will force the Bucs to eat over $13MM in dead money if he is not on the roster next year. When talking about possible Olympic participation in 2028, Evans said he would likely be retired by that point, which suggests he plans to keep playing for at least the 2026-27 campaigns. As such, a two-year add-on would make plenty of sense for both sides, and as the Bucs presently sit in the top half of the league in terms of cap space ($26.53MM), they seemingly have the flexibility to make it work (although quarterback Baker Mayfield may be eyeing a new contract and substantial raise next year).
Regardless of where his next contract comes from, Evans stands to add considerably to his ~$134MM in career earnings, which positions him in the top-15 among active non-quarterbacks. He also has an excellent chance to bolster his Hall of Fame candidacy over the next several years.
Although he is currently in 24th place on the all-time receiving yards list (12,684), Evans can quickly catapult up that index of luminaries if he can sustain what has become ordinary output for him. By the time the 2027 season is in the books, it would not be surprising to see him in the top-five in terms of receiving yards (Isaac Bruce presently sits at No. 5 with 15,208) and receiving touchdowns (Marvin Harrison Sr. and his 128 TDs are in fifth place in that regard, while Evans leads the way among all active players with 105 receiving TDs).
In addition to his tremendous 17-game average triple-slash of 85/1,284/11, Evans has never played in fewer than 13 games in a season. There have been no reports of extension talks yet, but one would imagine that Licht & Co. are at least giving it some thought.
“BREAKING: Mike Evans Turns Down $12M Endorsement Deal with Controversial Real Estate Giant—“I Won’t Represent Those Pushing Working Families Out of Tampa”
In a bold and unexpected move, Mike Evans rejected a $12 million sponsorship deal offered by a real estate conglomerate accused of gentrifying Tampa neighborhoods. He stated, “I was born here, I know these streets, and I won’t be the face of the people pricing hardworking families out of their homes.” His decision sparked massive support on social media, with fans rallying behind the hashtag…”
They were always going to keep Mike through the possible record breaking streak. He has mentioned possibly being retired by that Olympic flag football stuff since he wants to participate. He is already a 1st ballot HOF, after he gets the 1000yd streak record he maybe fine just being a red zone threat.
I don’t know about first ballot. 6 prow bowls and only 2 all pro selections and those were second teams.
Getting a lot of yards in todays NFL isn’t that hard to do.
Doesnt matter, he is a TD machine. That and longevity will eventually get him elected.
We’ve seen that at receiver; it is really harder to get in than any other position. That has to be weighted into the decision making.
If he comes out the same year as Davante Adams – Adams made more pro bowls and 1st team all pro. They have about the same amount of TDs. For that reason, I think Adams would be more well received by the HOF committee than Evans.
However, the pro bowl committee likes to have players in the HOF that tell stories that make them different than other guys. Evans tying the greatest receiver of all-time, Jerry Rice, with consecutive 11 1000 yard seasons is hugely in his favor. If he can get that 12th this year, it clearly puts him ahead of Adams IMO.
My only caveat to that is Justin Jefferson could be approaching 11 or 12 consecutive 1000 yard seasons by the time Evans is eligible.
Good call, but Adams played with a great QB alot longer than Evans did with Brady and still keeps moving from team to team. He also doesnt have a ring but will still make the HOF.
Yes, Evans has the streak that will break the tie between he and Jerry Rice but Jerry didnt start his streak till his second year. Evans has done it since his rookie season. Jefferson will eventually make the Hall himself if he stays healthy, but isnt the TD machine, Evans is …
Kind of crazy that he’s only caught 90 receptions in one season and 80 plus receptions in 2 seasons.
And for as talented as he is. There’s been plenty of times where he’s disappeared in games and been inconsistent. Even when he had Brady throwing him the ball.
He has a lot of bad QBs besides Brady and Baker. The oline wasn’t always great either until they started revamp in 2018. They had zero run game in some years so Evans was seeing all the coverage.
He has never been an elite possession receiver — therefore IMO — why you see the games where he has not caught a lot of balls.
Where he is elite is with his go-go-gadget wingspan. He is not just merely elite there, but he is a freak of nature. It has made him open on key plays of the day and all those TD’s the QB’s have gotten year in and year out. That is because of Mike Evans being elite in ways that fans and media just do not tend to recognize.
He is just very amazing.
True, and he can drop passes but he has also shared the ball with Godwin, Vincent Jackson, Deshaun Jackson, Brate, Gronk, Howard and Antonio Brown. Alot of talented mates.