The future of Mike Evans in Tampa Bay is officially up in the air - and the speculation is heating up fast.
A recent report hinted that the Buccaneers’ longtime star wide receiver might be eyeing the exit this offseason. That alone is enough to send ripples through the Bucs fanbase. But before anyone gets too far ahead of themselves, a trusted voice close to the team stepped in to cool things down - or at least add some clarity.
Rick Stroud, a veteran Buccaneers beat reporter who’s been covering the team since the early ‘90s, responded directly to a fan questioning the legitimacy of the recent Evans chatter. His update? As of January 29, Evans hasn’t made a decision about his future - and, importantly, hasn’t even had a first conversation with the Bucs or his agent about what comes next.
In Stroud’s words: “Believe who you want to believe.”
That might not be the definitive answer fans were hoping for, but it’s a meaningful one. It tells us that, for now, any talk of Evans’ next move is just that - talk. The door is wide open, but nothing has been decided.
Now, here’s the context that makes this situation so intriguing: Evans is on the verge of hitting unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. That’s a big deal for any player - but especially for a guy who’s been the face of Tampa Bay’s offense since entering the league in 2014.
And while some have floated the idea that he could retire, there’s been little from Evans himself to support that. In fact, his past comments suggest he hasn’t seriously considered walking away just yet.
If he does return for a 13th NFL season, the idea of chasing a second Super Bowl ring could be a major motivator. Evans already has one Lombardi Trophy, but he’s still producing at a high level and would be a massive addition to any team looking to make a deep playoff run.
And make no mistake - if he hits the open market, the suitors will line up quickly.
Evans’ résumé speaks for itself. He currently ranks 10th all-time in receiving touchdowns (108) and 21st in receiving yards (13,052).
He’s a six-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro, and one of the most consistent wideouts the league has seen over the past decade. Year after year, he’s delivered - regardless of who’s throwing him the football.
He may not have anything left to prove, but he certainly still has something left to give.
So, where does that leave us? Waiting.
Watching. And wondering.
The Bucs would undoubtedly love to keep their franchise cornerstone, but if Evans decides to test free agency, he’ll have options - and likely some compelling ones at that. Whether that means staying in Tampa, joining a contender, or something else entirely, one thing is certain: Mike Evans still moves the needle. And until he makes his call, the NFL world will be paying close attention.