As the NFL offseason gets underway, one of the biggest questions in Tampa Bay-and across the league-is what’s next for Mike Evans. The veteran wide receiver, a cornerstone of the Buccaneers for over a decade, is set to hit free agency. And at 32 years old, Evans finds himself at a crossroads: does he stay in Tampa, chase a ring elsewhere, or even consider hanging up the cleats?
Let’s start with retirement. According to those close to the situation, Evans is “less likely” to walk away from the game than longtime teammate Lavonte David, who’s also facing an uncertain future. Evans still looks like he has gas in the tank, and the hunger to compete-especially after missing the postseason-could be the fuel that drives his next move.
And that postseason miss wasn’t just a blip. The Bucs started the 2025 campaign hot, jumping out to a 6-2 record.
But the wheels came off down the stretch, as they dropped seven of their final nine games and watched their playoff hopes vanish. For a player like Evans, who’s been a consistent producer and a leader through multiple eras of Bucs football, that kind of collapse stings.
It also raises the question: does he believe Tampa Bay can get back on track quickly enough to make another title run?
If the answer is no, Evans could be eyeing teams with a clearer path to the Super Bowl-and several contenders would love to have a receiver of his caliber.
Buffalo stands out as a logical fit. The Bills have been knocking on the door for years, but their receiving corps took a hit this past season.
Keon Coleman hasn’t panned out the way they’d hoped, and Joshua Palmer’s stint in Buffalo was underwhelming at best. That’s left the Bills leaning heavily on Khalil Shakir and tight end Dalton Kincaid.
Adding Evans to that mix would immediately give Josh Allen a go-to outside threat and help balance the offense.
Then there’s Denver. The Broncos have some intriguing young talent, but they’re still searching for a reliable complement to Courtland Sutton. Evans would bring veteran leadership and a proven ability to win one-on-one matchups-something Denver’s offense could use as they try to take the next step in the AFC.
New England is another team to watch. The Patriots already made a splash by acquiring Stefon Diggs, but behind him, the depth chart is thin. With a new coaching regime trying to build around a young quarterback, a steady presence like Evans could help accelerate the rebuild and give the offense some much-needed credibility.
Of course, Tampa Bay isn’t out of the picture. Evans has spent his entire career with the Bucs, and there’s a deep connection between player and franchise. But if he’s chasing another ring-and if he believes his best shot lies elsewhere-then a move could be on the horizon.
One thing’s for sure: if Evans does hit the open market, he won’t be short on options. Whether it’s Buffalo, Denver, New England, or another team looking to add a proven playmaker, there’s going to be serious interest. And for a player who’s still producing at a high level, the next chapter could be just as impactful as the last.