Mike Evans has been the face of consistency for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for over a decade. But as the 2026 offseason looms, there's a very real possibility that the Bucs' all-time great could be suiting up somewhere else next fall - and that somewhere might just be Buffalo.
The idea of Evans in anything other than pewter and red is tough for Tampa fans to stomach. After all, he’s been the heartbeat of this offense since he entered the league.
Eleven straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career - a feat matched only by Jerry Rice - speaks volumes about his talent, work ethic, and durability. But that durability finally hit a snag this past season, as multiple injuries limited him to just eight games.
That’s a big shift for a player who’s been a rock in the lineup for so long. And while one injury-riddled season doesn’t define a career, it does raise questions - especially when a player is heading into his age-33 season.
Evans’ future in Tampa is complicated further by the team’s shifting priorities. The Buccaneers are expected to focus heavily on the defensive side of the ball this offseason. That’s not surprising, considering the defense finished 20th in points allowed last year - a ranking that simply won’t cut it for a team trying to stay competitive in a loaded NFC South.
On offense, the Bucs have a crop of young, exciting playmakers waiting in the wings. Bucky Irving brings fresh legs to the backfield, and the receiver room features promising talents like Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, and Jalen McMillan. It’s a youth movement, and while Evans still has plenty to offer, the front office may hesitate to commit big money to a veteran wideout when the roster is trending younger.
That’s where the Buffalo Bills come into the picture.
Buffalo is coming off a turbulent season that ended with another playoff exit and the departure of head coach Sean McDermott. But as long as Josh Allen is under center, the Bills are in win-now mode. And if there’s one glaring hole on this roster, it’s the wide receiver room.
Since trading away Stefon Diggs after the 2023 season, the Bills haven’t had a receiver crack the 1,000-yard mark. Khalil Shakir has shown flashes, but he’s not a true WR1 - not yet, anyway.
Evans, even at this stage of his career, could be that guy. He may not be the dominant deep threat he once was, but he still knows how to get open, win contested catches, and move the chains.
Just two seasons ago, in 2024, Evans not only hit the 1,000-yard mark again, but he also graded out as the fourth-best receiver in the league, per Pro Football Focus.
That kind of production doesn’t just vanish overnight.
The question now becomes: what does Evans want? If he’s looking for one more big payday, Tampa might balk. But if he’s chasing a ring, Buffalo - with a top-tier quarterback and a clear need at receiver - could be the perfect landing spot.
It’s never easy to say goodbye to a franchise legend. But in the NFL, tough decisions are part of the business. And for Mike Evans and the Buccaneers, this offseason could mark the end of an era - and the beginning of a new chapter in Buffalo.