After 12 seasons in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans is not ready to walk away from football — but his future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is no longer guaranteed. Evans intends to play a 13th NFL season in 2026 and will explore free agency, according to his agent, who indicated the veteran receiver is open to returning to Tampa but plans to survey the market.
Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler, has been a fixture in Tampa since being selected seventh overall in the 2014 draft. He enters this offseason with 13,052 career receiving yards and 108 touchdowns on 866 receptions. His remarkable streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin a career ended in 2025, when injuries limited him to eight games and just 30 catches for 368 yards and three scores. Even so, quarterback Baker Mayfield recently said Evans still has “more in the tank,” reinforcing the belief that the 32-year-old can remain productive if healthy.
Financial considerations will heavily influence what happens next. Evans’ current contract voids at the end of the 2025 league year, leaving Tampa Bay with $13 million in dead cap for 2026 due to previously added void years. He previously averaged $20.5 million per season — a figure outside the top 20 among receivers last year — but given his age and recent injury history, he is likely to command a shorter-term deal at a reduced rate.
The Buccaneers are projected to have roughly $23.9 million in cap space entering the new league year, enough flexibility to retain Evans if they prioritize keeping a franchise icon and Mayfield’s top target. However, the team must also weigh other roster needs and pending free agents as it shapes its 53-man roster.
If Tampa Bay chooses to allocate its resources elsewhere, Evans has signaled he is prepared to continue his career in a new city. Even at this stage, his size, ball skills and experience would make him an appealing option for a contender seeking a proven outside threat. Whether that opportunity materializes in Tampa or elsewhere will be decided in the weeks ahead.
