What’s Next for Mike Evans and Lavonte David? The Buccaneers’ Icons Face Big Decisions
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are staring down a pivotal offseason, and it’s not just about draft boards or free agency budgets. Two of the most iconic players in franchise history - linebacker Lavonte David and wide receiver Mike Evans - are at a career crossroads. Both are legends in pewter and red, and both could be walking away from the game.
Let’s start with Lavonte David. The veteran linebacker has been the heart and soul of the Bucs’ defense for 14 seasons.
A two-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion, David has been the kind of player coaches dream of - consistent, smart, and relentless. But at this stage in his career, retirement is a real possibility.
He’s done it all, and if this is the end, he walks away as one of the most respected defenders of his era.
Then there’s Mike Evans, the best wide receiver the Buccaneers have ever had - and it’s not particularly close. Evans has been a model of consistency since entering the league in 2014, reeling off 1,000-yard seasons like clockwork.
From 2014 to 2024, he hit that mark every single year. That kind of production over a decade?
That’s Hall of Fame material.
But 2025 was different. Evans battled through a tough slate of injuries - a hamstring strain, a broken collarbone, and a concussion - and ended up playing in just eight of Tampa Bay’s 17 games.
That streak of 1,000-yard seasons? It came to an end, and not because Evans couldn’t play, but because he couldn’t stay on the field.
This season raised a fair question: was 2025 just a blip on the radar, or is it the start of a decline for a receiver who will be 33 when next season kicks off? For a guy who had never played fewer than 14 games in a season over his first 11 years, the drop-off was jarring.
Evans has already hinted that retirement is on his mind. Back in September, he told The Athletic he was aiming to have one of his best seasons - and that if he chose to retire afterward, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
That was before the injuries piled up and before the Bucs stumbled to an 8-9 finish, missing the playoffs and ceding the NFC South to the Panthers. If Evans wanted to ride off into the sunset, this wasn’t the ending he had in mind.
After the season finale, Evans told ESPN’s Jenna Laine that he’s not rushing the decision - he’ll take a month or two to weigh his options. And if he does decide to keep playing, the next question becomes: where?
There are three paths forward for Evans: he retires, he re-signs with Tampa, or he suits up for a new team in 2026. And each of those scenarios comes with big implications - not just for Evans, but for the Bucs.
From a fan perspective, it’s hard to imagine Tampa Bay without Mike Evans. He’s the face of the franchise, a leader in the locker room, and a player whose jersey you see all over Raymond James Stadium. But sentiment doesn’t always align with strategy.
If Evans wants to keep playing, he’s likely to command a contract in the range of $15 to $22 million per year - similar to what Davante Adams, Stefon Diggs, and Cooper Kupp secured last offseason. That’s a significant investment for a team that’s shifting its focus toward rebuilding its defense, which finished 20th in scoring this year.
The Bucs do have some intriguing young receivers waiting in the wings, including Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan. And with Chris Godwin still in the fold, Tampa Bay may decide to allocate their resources elsewhere - unless Evans is willing to take a hometown discount to stay with the only team he’s ever known.
This is the kind of offseason that tests a franchise’s identity. Do the Bucs double down on their veterans and try to squeeze another run out of this core? Or do they turn the page and start building around a younger nucleus?
One thing’s for sure: whether Mike Evans and Lavonte David return, retire, or move on, their legacies in Tampa Bay are already cemented. They helped bring a Super Bowl to the city.
They’ve worn the jersey with pride and professionalism. And now, they’ve earned the right to decide how the final chapter of their careers will be written.