Mike Evans is coming back for a 13th NFL season in 2026, but for the first time in his career, it sounds like he’s genuinely open to doing it in a different jersey.
Multiple reports say Evans’ agents have made it clear he plans to play next season and will test the open market, which immediately puts Tampa Bay in a nervous spot after 12 straight years of having No. 13 as a permanent fixture.
Why Mike Evans might finally leave Tampa Bay
Evans reportedly wanted retirement rumors shut down, and the messaging since then has been consistent: he’s playing, and he’s exploring.
2025 ended in a frustrating way, with injuries derailing both his season and Tampa Bay’s year. He played only eight games, and his chase at a historic 12th straight 1,000-yard season ended early, leaving the Buccaneers outside the playoff picture for the first time in years.
That’s the kind of ending that can make even a franchise legend start weighing one last run somewhere else.
𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴: Bucs star WR Mike Evans plans to play in 2026 and will explore options in free agency, per @ByKimberleyA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 17, 2026
Evans is a must-have for any NFL offense 👀 pic.twitter.com/AStRan4j9n
If Evans hits March without a deal in place, it’s easy to see how this turns into a real sweepstakes.
Teams chasing a Super Bowl love a proven boundary receiver with size, red zone gravity, and a resume that doesn’t need selling. Even if he’s not trying to reset the market at 33, a short-term contract with real incentives and a clearer title path could be tempting.
What it means for the Buccaneers and the market
Evans has always felt like a “finish where you started” guy, but once he’s officially shopping, the Buccaneers are no longer negotiating in a bubble.
And for contenders, the pitch is if he's healthy, Evans is still the kind of veteran you can plug into a playoff offense without needing months of adjustment.
🚨NFL RUMORS #Bucs Mike Evans expected to explore all options in free agency pic.twitter.com/2sB45CWLz6
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) February 17, 2026
A team with a steady quarterback and a need for a true X receiver could talk itself into Evans as the missing piece, especially if the contract is closer to a two-year bridge than a long commitment.
The Buccaneers can still bring him back, but the fact he’s even opening the door makes it feel like the league is about to find out what Mike Evans looks like in a new home.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
