The New England Patriots, fresh off a tough loss in Super Bowl LX, are eyeing some key reinforcements to make another run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. With young quarterback Drake Maye leading the charge, the team is looking to bolster its offensive line and add a true alpha receiver to the mix.
The offensive line needs to give Maye the time he needs to work through his progressions effectively. Meanwhile, the uncertainty surrounding Stefon Diggs' future with the team makes the need for a top-tier wide receiver even more pressing.
Enter Mike Evans, the seasoned wideout from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who is set to hit free agency. According to J.L.
Confora of SportsBoom, Evans is considering the Patriots as a potential destination. At 33, Evans remains a dominant force on the field and could be the game-changer the Patriots need.
Evans' resume speaks for itself. With six Pro Bowl selections and an impressive streak of 1,000-yard seasons in each of his first 11 years, only the legendary Jerry Rice surpasses him in that department. A Super Bowl champion with the Buccaneers in 2020, Evans played a crucial role alongside Tom Brady in defeating Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Although Evans had a quieter season in 2025, with 368 receiving yards and three touchdowns, this dip in production can be attributed to the rise of rookie WR Emeka Egbuka, who emerged as a key offensive threat for Tampa Bay.
The Patriots wrapped up their regular season with a 14-3 record, but questions linger about the strength of their schedule and whether they can maintain their momentum into 2026. Pairing Maye with a seasoned veteran like Evans could be the catalyst for elevating his game to championship levels.
With ample salary cap space available, the Patriots are well-positioned to pursue a veteran receiver like Evans on a short-term deal. If they're serious about securing another Super Bowl ring, Evans could be the perfect fit to help them achieve that goal.