The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are staring down a franchise-defining decision this offseason: what to do about Mike Evans.
Evans, a pending free agent, has been the face of Tampa Bay’s receiving corps since he entered the league. He’s not just a fan favorite - he’s a future Hall of Famer who’s spent his entire career in pewter and red. But as much as it feels wrong to picture him in another uniform, the reality is this: until pen hits paper, nothing is guaranteed.
And that’s where things get interesting.
There’s buzz - and not just hypothetical chatter - that Evans could reunite with a familiar face in Carolina. Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who served as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator in 2023, helped orchestrate one of Evans’ most productive seasons in recent memory. That year, Evans posted 79 receptions, 1,255 yards, and 13 touchdowns - a vintage performance that reminded everyone he’s still one of the league’s premier outside threats.
So the logic is there. Canales knows how to maximize Evans’ skill set, and Carolina is in desperate need of playmakers to support young quarterback Bryce Young.
Pairing Evans with Tetairoa McMillan - another big-bodied receiver - would give the Panthers two towering targets on the perimeter. Add in a shifty slot option like Jalen Coker, and suddenly you’ve got a trio that could open up the field and give Young the kind of weapons he sorely lacked in his rookie campaign.
But here’s the rub: Mike Evans is 33. He’s still producing at a high level, but at this point in his career, he’s not just looking for targets - he’s looking for rings.
And right now, the Panthers aren’t exactly positioned as contenders. They’re building, not competing.
That’s why, despite the intriguing fit in Carolina, the most likely outcome still feels like a return to Tampa Bay.
The Bucs would have to be comfortable moving forward with their current group of receivers - Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan - to justify letting Evans walk. That’s a talented trio, no doubt, but none of them brings the same physical presence or red-zone dominance that Evans does. He’s a unique weapon, and in a league where matchups matter more than ever, having a 6’5” receiver who can win one-on-one downfield is a luxury most teams can’t afford to lose.
So, yes, there’s a scenario where Evans follows Canales to Carolina. There’s a connection, a need, and a vision that makes sense on paper. But unless the Bucs are ready to turn the page - and unless Evans is willing to trade playoff hopes for a mentorship role - it’s hard to see this story ending anywhere but where it began.
Mike Evans in a different jersey? It’s possible. But don’t bet against him running it back in Tampa Bay in 2026.