FEBRUARY 27: While the Bucs maintain that Evans has “earned the right” to hear what other teams have to offer, ESPN’s Jenna Laine reports that Evans’ representatives at the NFL Scouting Combine, Darren Jones and Deryk Gilmore, met with the team in Indianapolis. Per Laine, Tampa Bay “will aggressively pursue trying to re-sign” the veteran wide receiver for 2026.
FEBRUARY 23: Mike Evans will play in 2026, meaning his decorated NFL career is set to include a 13th season. It remains to be seen if a new Buccaneers pact will be worked out or if a first ever free agent departure is in store. 
To no surprise, SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reports a mutual interest exists between Evans and Tampa Bay. The sides worked out a two-year, $41MM pact in 2024 just in time to prevent the franchise icon from testing the market. It appears that will not be the case this spring.
Evans’ agents have already conveyed his desire to seek out other options in free agency. La Canfora confirms the six-time Pro Bowler is assessing other teams based on the strength of their offenses and his potential fit. Playing on a Super Bowl contender is obviously a priority for Evans, who earned a ring in 2020 with Tampa Bay.
The Bucs have Chris Godwin under contract for two more years, and the team has made a pair of recent draft investments at the receiver spot (third-rounder Jalen McMillan in 2024, first-rounder Emeka Egbuka in 2025). Moving on without Evans would leave those three in place as the core of Tampa Bay’s passing attack, and there should be no shortage of other suitors lining up outside Evans offers. The Texas A&M product contemplated joining the Chiefs and Texans prior to signing his latest Buccaneers deal.
Injuries limited Evans to just eight games in 2025 and prevented him from registering a 12th consecutive 1,000-yard showing. He will be 33 by the start of next season, so a short-term offer from the Bucs or any other teams should be expected. As La Canfora notes, though, Evans is aiming to remain a full-time starting presence with Tampa Bay or a different suitor; he is still seen as an impact wideout by evaluators around the league. This situation will be worth watching closely as a result.
The likes of George Pickens and Alec Pierce are strong candidates to be retained via the franchise tag shortly. That could leave Evans as one of the top wideouts available on the market once free agency begins in mid-March. Another Tampa Bay re-up remains a possibility at this point, but it may very well take longer than last time for Evans’ future to be settled.
Ravensssssssssssssssssssss
No not Mike
He’s gone. Best fits:
Broncos
Bills
Steelers
Ravens
Jaguars
Niners
Good call with the Bills too
If they’re competent about WR that is
Jaguars wideout room is full at the moment. They would have to move BTJ first.
They could drop Patrick and dyami. Make space
They could but there wouldn’t be enough snaps to make everyone happy.
Yeah there could. That’s a solid four headed WR room. Evans Meyers Parker BTJ
If you can stand the cold —> Buffalo
Evans has done so well in TB but TB needs to move on from him. Allocate the salary elsewhere.
Not much salary to allocate they get dead money of 13 mill from void years if he left.
I mean any money if they resigned him could go elsewhere.
This year next year, etc.
He’s been battling hamstrings the past few seasons and I wouldn’t pay $20M anymore. They shouldn’t have to pay for past production. I believe the Bucs have prepared for his departure.
Chiefs, ring hunting
Mahommes is out until mid season next year. Just saying that’ll be a hard ring hunt.
Chiefs have Rice…oh wait a minute.
I don’t think he would leave and if he does he seems to only like Texas so Houston due to him growing up around there and family. Last time he entertained Rams but they don’t have the space this time.
I don’t know why anyone pays Jason La Canfora any mind. He’s always been bad at his job.
Love Mike but the Bucs need lots of help on defense.