Titans Eye Mike Evans as Potential WR1 to Boost Cam Ward’s Development
The Tennessee Titans are heading into a pivotal offseason, and all eyes are on general manager Mike Borgonzi as he looks to reshape the roster around rookie quarterback Cam Ward. With a league-leading $104.7 million in cap space to work with, the Titans have the financial firepower to make serious moves-starting with the wide receiver room.
Let’s be clear: investing in Ward’s development isn’t just a nice idea-it’s the franchise’s top priority. The rookie showed flashes of real franchise-caliber potential last season, even while working with a receiving corps that lacked high-end talent. Now, it’s on Borgonzi to turn that potential into production by surrounding Ward with reliable, playmaking pass-catchers.
One name generating buzz? Mike Evans.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers veteran is set to hit free agency for the first time in his career, and the Titans have been floated as a potential landing spot. And it’s easy to see why. Even at 32, Evans still brings size, experience, and a proven ability to win on the outside-traits that could immediately elevate Tennessee’s offense and give Ward a trustworthy WR1.
Before injuries cut short his 2025 campaign, Evans had rattled off 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons-tying Jerry Rice’s legendary mark. That kind of consistency doesn’t just happen.
It speaks to Evans’ durability, route-running polish, and ability to dominate in contested-catch situations. In just eight games last season, he still managed 368 yards and three touchdowns, showing he can still be a red-zone threat and boundary mismatch when healthy.
The Titans' current receiver group includes promising young names like Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike-players with upside, no doubt. But they’re still developing. Evans, on the other hand, would step in as the alpha in that room from Day 1, giving Ward a seasoned, big-bodied target who knows how to win off the line and move the chains.
Of course, there’s some history here that gives pause. Tennessee hasn’t had the best track record with aging star receivers.
Names like Randy Moss, Julio Jones, and Andre Johnson come to mind-big-time talents who couldn’t quite recapture their prime in Nashville. It’s a cautionary tale, and one the Titans would be wise to consider before making a major investment.
But Evans doesn’t look like a player on his last legs. He still creates separation, still boxes out defenders in the red zone, and still demands attention from opposing secondaries. If the Titans believe Ward is their guy-and all signs point to that being the case-then giving him a proven, high-level target like Evans could fast-track his development and give this offense a much-needed identity.
It won’t come cheap, and it won’t be without risk. But with the cap space to make it happen and a young quarterback who needs a reliable go-to option, the Titans have every reason to explore a move for Mike Evans.