Mike Evans is heading into free agency, and while nothing’s official yet, the NFL world is bracing for what could be one of the most intriguing offseason decisions from a future Hall of Famer.
Evans, the longtime anchor of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receiving corps, will be 33 next season. That’s the kind of age where retirement talk naturally starts to bubble up-especially for a player who’s already accomplished so much.
But Evans hasn’t given any clear indication he’s ready to hang it up just yet. And if he does decide to keep playing, the big question becomes: will it still be in Tampa?
There’s always been this sense that Evans would be a Buc for life. He’s been the face of the franchise’s offense for a decade, a consistent producer through quarterback changes, coaching shifts, and playoff runs. But as this offseason unfolds, there’s a growing possibility that Evans might test the waters.
The last time he hit free agency, Evans reportedly had offers from both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans. That’s notable for a couple of reasons.
Kansas City, even with Patrick Mahomes recovering from an ACL injury, remains one of the league’s premier destinations for veterans chasing a ring. And Houston?
That’s just 50 miles from Evans’ hometown of Galveston, and the Texans are building something real-especially on the defensive side of the ball.
But if Evans is prioritizing winning above all else, there are other teams that make sense too. Buffalo, for one, is in desperate need of a true WR1.
Josh Allen has the arm and the aggression to make use of a big-bodied target like Evans, who still has the size, catch radius, and body control to be a nightmare matchup on the perimeter. Plug Evans into that offense, and suddenly the Bills’ passing game looks a whole lot more dangerous.
Then there’s New England. Yes, the Patriots are still in a rebuild, but if they’re ready to hand the keys to rookie quarterback Drake Maye, surrounding him with a proven veteran like Evans could accelerate that development.
And pairing Evans with Stefon Diggs? That’s the kind of duo that forces defenses to make tough choices.
Of course, none of this is to say Tampa Bay is ready to let him walk. The Bucs know what they have in Evans-a tone-setter in the locker room, a reliable red-zone weapon, and one of the most consistent receivers of his generation. They’ll surely make a strong push to keep him in pewter and red.
But if Evans does decide to explore his options, the Bills and Patriots would be wise to pick up the phone. So would the Chiefs.
And the Texans. Because even at 33, Evans still has the tools to tilt the field.
Whether he’s chasing a ring, a fresh start, or simply one more run at greatness, his decision will be one of the most closely watched storylines of the offseason.
Retirement is still on the table, sure. But if Mike Evans decides he’s not done yet, there’s no shortage of teams that would love to make room for a future Hall of Famer.