Vast receiver Mike Evans plans to play in 2026, however will he swimsuit up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
Evans’ brokers, Deryk Gilmore and Darren Jones, instructed ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin Tuesday the WR will return for the 2026 season. Nonetheless, they famous he plans to “discover his choices” in free company, suggesting he isn’t ruling out enjoying elsewhere.
Why Mike Evans might not return to the Buccaneers in 2026
Evans, choose No. 7 of the 2014 NFL Draft, has spent his whole profession in Tampa Bay, making six Professional Bowls and profitable a Tremendous Bowl. The emergence of WR Emeka Egbuka, although, makes him extra replaceable.
This previous season, Egbuka, choose No. 19 of the 2025 draft, led the group in receptions (63), receiving yards (938) and landing catches (six). For his efforts, the Ohio State Buckeyes product was named an Offensive Rookie of the 12 months finalist.
Evans, in the meantime, missed 9 video games due to a damaged collarbone and a hamstring harm. He logged profession lows in receptions (30), receiving yards (368) and tied a profession worst in TD catches (three).
When wholesome, Evans stays one of many extra productive wideouts in league historical past. Throughout the 2024 season, he tied Corridor of Famer Jerry Rice for probably the most consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards or extra (11).
However Evans might proceed to say no as he enters the latter levels of his profession. The WR turns 33 on Aug. 21. The Buccaneers will contemplate this after they begin negotiating with the pass-catcher.
Spotrac estimates Evans’ market value is a two-year deal value $13.3M yearly. The Buccaneers — who’re tight on cap room this offseason — might view that as an excessive amount of. Spotrac projects Tampa Bay will begin the offseason with $14.4M in cap house.
Evans, nonetheless, has remained loyal to the franchise and has made it clear he desires to play for Tampa Bay for the remainder of his profession.
Earlier than the 2025 season, he told FanDuel’s Kay Adams, “I am a Buc for all times. It doesn’t matter what.”
The Buccaneers might want that as nicely, however at a certain price. That will end in Evans signing with one other group when free company begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. ET.
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;
n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,’script’,
‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);
fbq(‘init’, ‘1324276914788316’);
fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);
