In the world of all things Tampa Bay Buccaneers, few things loom as large as Mike Evans. The Buccaneers all-time leader in all things offense is a free agent this offseason. Naturally, the large majority of Bucs’ fandom has cascaded into panic that their favorite Tampa Bay legend may be departing for greener pastures.
Does another year of Todd Bowles really appeal to Evans? Is Baker Mayfield the quarterback he wants tossing him passes? How important is it to Evans to finish where he started?
With these
questions ever-pacing through the minds of Tampa Bay fans, every bit of Mike Evans news is oxygen to a flame. Today, Rick Stroud tossed a hefty log on that fire confirming Mike Evans will indeed play in 2026.
News of Mike Evans playing in 2026 isn’t exactly breaking— Evans had never publicly said anything to the contrary. The second portion of the tweet is slightly more newsworthy and disheartening for those hoping see Mike Evans go the Lavonte David route or turn himself into Tampa Bay’s Larry Fitzgerald.
“The Bucs would be in play.”
What does this mean for Tampa Bay? Not much has changed. The Buccaneers are and have been loyal to Mike Evans. Evans has returned that loyalty, but it hasn’t been all chocolates and roses. Two years ago, the two sides performed a very similar song and dance— Rumors of Evans leaving Tampa for a new organization that could be suited to make a championship run or for his hometown Houston Texans flurried like a northeastern snowstorm. The dialogue dragged out, but ultimately Jason Licht did what needed to be done and secured two more seasons of Mike Evans in red and pewter. That two-year contract saw Mike Evans insert his name next to Jerry Rice in the annals of NFL history with a Buccaneers’ logo on his helmet.
This offseason, Jason Licht will have a similar mission objective. Obviously, Mike Evans leaving the Buccaneers is not the desired outcome, but achieving that conclusion is anything but a guarantee. Evans has made it clear, through his negotiations in 2024 and narratives surrounding the start of this offseason, while he may want to return to Tampa, he knows his worth and the Buccaneers will need to meet that value in order to keep him around.
Once again, Jason Licht, the ball is bouncing in your court.
