Wide receiver Mike Evans is set to play in 2026, but the big question is which uniform he'll be wearing. As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers navigate a bustling offseason, fans are buzzing about whether Evans will explore free agency or stick with the team. One thing’s for sure: retirement is off the table.
According to ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin, Evans’ agents confirm the 32-year-old will be back for the 2026 season, with free agency options on the horizon.
Evans himself mentioned to ESPN’s Jenna Laine that a decision should come soon, within a month or two. This uncertainty is crucial for the Buccaneers’ cap planning; they need to avoid being caught in a financial limbo, half-preparing for a new player and half-budgeting for their franchise star.
While Tampa Bay isn't in a financial crisis, the 2026 cap situation is a bit of a puzzle. With hefty veteran salaries, the Bucs need to create some breathing room early on, before layering on depth, incentives, and injury insurance.
Here are four strategic player moves that can free up cap space without turning the roster into a bargain bin:
Baker Mayfield: His 2026 cap number is significant enough that inaction isn’t an option. Tampa Bay needs to decide if Mayfield is their guy for 2026 and beyond.
If he is, an extension that reduces his 2026 cap hit is the smartest move, aligning costs with the reality that quarterback salaries are only climbing. For flexibility beyond 2026, a simple restructure works too, converting salary into bonus and spreading it out.
Both approaches give Tampa Bay immediate space to address needs, especially if Evans is seriously considering the open market.
Chris Godwin: A vital piece of the offense, Godwin is too crucial to let go and too costly to ignore. Cutting him isn’t feasible, and the Bucs shouldn’t even consider it, given his reliability and versatility.
The best move is to reshape his contract: either extend it to lower the 2026 cap hit or restructure it to create space now, without overhauling the receiver lineup. If Evans departs, Godwin becomes even more central, making this move essential for roster stability.
Tristan Wirfs: The Bucs have an offensive tackle you don’t mess with lightly, making his contract a perfect candidate for cap relief. Tampa Bay needs to prioritize cap space on offense to keep the line stable, ensuring they can capitalize on their offensive potential.
If key players leave, the team might rely more on the run game and quick timing plays, both requiring solid edge protection. A restructure or extension lowering Wirfs’ 2026 hit is a straightforward way to create space while keeping the offense intact.
Vita Vea: This is a tough one because Vea is a cornerstone, but his contract offers one of the few opportunities for significant cap movement. The conservative route is a restructure to lower the 2026 hit, keeping the interior defense strong-vital in Todd Bowles’ system, which relies on a lineman who demands attention.
The aggressive option is exploring a trade if the Bucs need to shift funds toward edge pressure and coverage or if they want to get younger and faster up front. This isn’t about offloading for the sake of it, but if Tampa Bay wants meaningful cap space without touching the offensive core, Vea’s contract is key.
These moves provide Tampa Bay with flexibility, no matter what happens with Mike Evans. They also allow for bolstering the run game, preventing the offense from becoming a “hope the quarterback can improvise” scenario.
Defensively, Tampa Bay needs to amp up their pass rush. A rumor swirling around involves Khalil Mack, who is contemplating retirement or a return, with his decision influenced more by personal factors than the Chargers’ season end. For the Bucs, the appeal is clear: they recorded 37 sacks last season, ranking 18th in the league, and Mack can still disrupt offenses, even with selective use in Bowles’ defense.
For the Buccaneers, creating cap space in 2026 is crucial to acting decisively and strategically. They need to maintain a stable quarterback plan, an elite offensive line, a functional receiving corps regardless of Evans’ decision, and ensure the defense has the resources to pressure quarterbacks effectively on third down.
Executing these moves will help the team avoid the cap constraints that lead to poor decisions come March.