Mike Evans plans to play in 2026. But for what team?

Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times on Feb 17, 2026

Published in Football

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TAMPA, Fla. — There will be a 13th NFL season for the Bucs’ No. 13.

Mike Evans plans to play in 2026 and will explore all options in free agency, according to his agent, Deryk Gilmore.

“Yes, that’s correct, he’s opening it up,” Gilmore said Tuesday of Evans’ pending free agency. “That he will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa, but he will definitely play a 13th season.“

Evans, who will turn 33 in August, can begin negotiating with the Bucs and other teams during the legal tampering period March 9. The new league year begins March 11, when free agents can begin signing contracts.

The last time Evans was on the verge of becoming an unrestricted free agent, he signed a two-year, $41 million contract extension with $29 million guaranteed a week before the start of free agency.

Evans was entertaining interest from the Chiefs and Texans at the time. His hometown of Galveston is less than an hour from Houston.

The Bucs, of course, have said they want Evans to continue playing in Tampa Bay. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, head coach Todd Bowles and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson all have publicly lobbied for him to return.

But a few things are different this time around.

The Bucs missed the playoffs this past season after finishing 8-9 for the second time in four years under head coach Todd Bowles.

Evans saw his NFL-record streak of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving come to an end as he missed eight games with a hamstring injury and a broken clavicle. He caught only 30 passes.

But when he returned, he did show he could still impact the game. In his first game back, he caught six passes for a season-high 132 yards, including a 45-yard reception against Atlanta.

But there are a few things that are different this time around.

First of all, the Bucs missed the playoffs last season after finishing 8-9 for the second time in four years under Todd Bowles.

Evans saw his NFL record streak of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000-yards receiving come to an end as he missed eight games with a hamstring injury and a broken clavicle. He caught only 30 passes last season.

When Evans returned, he showed he could still impact the game. In his first game back, he caught six passes for a season-high 132 yards, including a 45-yard reception against Atlanta.

But his frustration with the team was also on display after the Bucs blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter to lose to the Falcons 29-28. Evans was despondent coming off the field, screaming, “Third-and-28! Third-and-28!” It was a reference to the Bucs defense’s failure to stop the Falcons on the last drive of the game.

Evans has said he believes he can play another three years. But the Bucs have restocked at receiver.

Chris Godwin has two years remaining on his contract. The Bucs also have Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson, just to name a few.

Egbuka was an NFL Rookie of the Year finalist last season with 63 catches for 938 yards and six touchdowns.

Evans may want to play for a more certain Super Bowl contender such as the Bills with quarterback Josh Allen or the Patriots with quarterback Drake Maye.

The Bucs also have big needs on defense, which calls into question how much they can spend on Evans.