The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest storylines looming over the franchise is the future of Mike Evans.
Evans, who’s been the face of the Bucs’ receiving corps for over a decade, is approaching free agency. And while there’s been no official word on his retirement, that quiet hum in the background-the one that suggests we’re closer to the end than the beginning-can’t be ignored.
Still, all signs point to Evans wanting to keep playing. The real question is: will that next chapter be written in Tampa Bay, or somewhere else?
According to a recent breakdown of top free agent fits, one potential landing spot for Evans is Buffalo. The Bills are in the market for a true outside threat to complement Josh Allen, and Evans fits that bill perfectly.
Their offense struggled with verticality this past season-ranking near the bottom of the league in receptions on throws of 20+ yards-and the lack of depth at wide receiver was exposed down the stretch when injuries hit. Plug in a player like Evans, who’s made a career out of stretching the field and making contested catches look routine, and suddenly the Bills’ offense looks a lot more dangerous.
It’s a logical fit on paper. But is it likely?
Not really.
Evans has been vocal for years about his desire to spend his entire career in Tampa Bay, and that kind of loyalty still carries weight-especially for a player who's been as consistent and productive as he has. The Bucs may not be Super Bowl favorites, but they’re not in rebuild mode either.
With a few smart moves this offseason, they could be right back in the mix in the NFC. And Evans knows that.
He’s been through the lows with this team, and he was a cornerstone of their rise to the top. If he’s chasing another ring, it’s not out of the question that he believes he can do it right where he is.
That said, loyalty only goes so far in this league, especially when free agency is involved. Just two years ago, Evans came dangerously close to hitting the open market.
Reports later revealed that teams like the Chiefs and Texans were ready to throw serious money his way. Tampa got the deal done before it came to that, but it was a reminder of just how coveted Evans is-and how quickly things can change.
This offseason might feel familiar. The rumors will swirl.
The speculation will ramp up as we get closer to March. And yes, Evans will be linked to other teams.
But until he puts pen to paper, nothing is guaranteed.
Still, if you had to bet, the smart money is on No. 13 suiting up for the Bucs again next season. He's been the heartbeat of this offense for over a decade, and unless something major shifts, it feels like that story isn’t finished just yet.