Mike Evans Says He Has Made No Decision About His Future
August 9th, 2025
Weighs pros and cons of retirement.
Aside from the lack of sleep, Joe loves watching morning training camp practice. You really get to learn about the Bucs when you see 14 or so practices in three weeks.
One thing that has stuck out for Joe is how Mike Evans is practicing at another level. Or, as the former high school basketball star might say, he’s practicing above the rim.
It’s no stretch to say Evans is probably having his best camp. He is just schooling rookie and camp meat corners.
So when Kay Adams of FanDuel TV popped up at One Buc Palace this week, she interviewed Evans, who really enjoyed his sitdown.
(Gee, that’s hard to figure out.)
There, Adams tried her best to pry out of Evans what he wants to do after this season is over. His contract is up and some speculate Evans if he breaks Jerry Rice’s string of 11 straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons, he may hang up his cleats for good.
Adams said from what she has heard about Evans in camp, he could play anywhere from two to five more seasons. Evans wouldn’t show his hand and swore he hasn’t thought much about 2026 and beyond, though said if he had to make a decision today, he might slightly lean toward a return.
“I’m just focused on this season,” Evans said. “This is my last year of my deal. I’m obviously an older player, but I feel great.
“So no retirement at the end of the season is not off the table, and playing for, you know, two to five years is not off the table either. Well, five years, no. I’m not playing five more years.”
Evans admitted he has more aches and pains from games than he used to, and he chalked that up to being on the wrong side of 30. Evans turns 32 this month.
Evans also told Adams this summer’s training camp might be his best.
Adams then asked Evans what he’s playing for. Simple, Evans said, he’s chasing greatness and another ring.
August 9th, 2025 at 7:19 am
Really positive vibes from that Evans interview with Kay Adams. I know it’s not a surprise, but still heartening to hear him say there as well that he’s “a Buc for life.” Of course, that could also fuel the idea that he may well retire after this year if he breaks Rice’s record.
Love that he said that Rice told him in the past few months he hopes Mike’ll break his record, as well.
August 9th, 2025 at 7:32 am
Whenever he does retire I’m sure Antonio will be ready to come running out of that tunnel halfway into the game to get on the field & play again.😃
August 9th, 2025 at 7:41 am
Just the possibility of this being ME’s last year is making me want to go down to Miami at the end of the year and have a Mike Evans / Bucs fans takeover of their stadium.
August 9th, 2025 at 7:52 am
I hope he gets both. Another SB ring and sets the all-time record for most consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. That would be a hell of a way to go out. But, I hope he doesn’t. One of my favorite players of all time. He, Lynch and Brooks.
August 9th, 2025 at 8:03 am
We’ve enjoyed his greatness far longer than most fans get to with a wide receiver. I’m a live in the moment type. Looking forward to seeing Evans chase the 1000 record. As far as next year, that’s to far away to think about now. Tonight it’s the Titans. Next up Pittsburgh. No what I mean?
August 9th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Buccaneer football is back!!!!
Let’s GO!!!!!!
August 9th, 2025 at 8:35 am
I caught the “Buc forever” comment he made, too.
That made me smile.
I’m hoping the team does everything it can to get Mike to 1,000 yards this season.
Of course, we have to win games, too.
My instinct is that if Mike gets a thousand yards and/or we get a Super Bowl, he’ll hang his cleats up.
August 9th, 2025 at 8:43 am
Its hard to imagine Evans retiring while he is still playing at such a high level…
Based on Joe’s descriptions of TC so far – #13 is having his best camp ever – and looks like a man playing with boys whenever he is on the field.
I see M1k3 playing 3 more years – 2025, 2026 and 2027.
August 9th, 2025 at 8:46 am
ME13 will be the first Bucs Offensive player enshrined in Canton. Bet on it. He’s put up with everything his 11 (Man, it’s been that long?) seasons here. Big Mike stuck it out. He’s also a class act off-field. Kudos and always good luck to him in whatever he decides about his future. He’s earned it.
August 9th, 2025 at 8:55 am
If we get the SB and he gets his record then he retires. I think if he gets his record but we lose in the NFC championship then he comes back on another 1-2 year deal to try and get that second SB.
August 9th, 2025 at 9:09 am
If Evans loses a step, is he big enough to play tight end? I’d love it if that was a possibility so he can keep playing for a few more years even if he isn’t as fast as he is now.
August 9th, 2025 at 9:32 am
When he beats the record he’s going to do like David year by year till he don’t got anything left that how the Bucs roll give everything till they can’t
August 9th, 2025 at 10:00 am
who was the last stud WR to retire at his peak off a great season?
August 9th, 2025 at 10:07 am
He’s back next year unless we win the whole enchilada this year.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:09 am
We can only hope and pray that ME13 stays healthy all season! His skills and leadership are the key to the Buccaneers success!!
Can’t wait to see the first game !!
Go Bucs 2025 !!
August 9th, 2025 at 10:10 am
Go Mikey Go.
Love love love ME13. I will need Xanax when he retires. Lavonte as well.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:11 am
Actually if you watch the entire interview Adams tries to suggest playing 5 more years and Mike responds 2or 3 or maybe 5 , but then after a moment Mike says yeah not 5 , but 2 or 3. So Bucs have about 2 more seasons after this season to enjoy ME13 greatness. Mike also said he will be a Buc for life.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:15 am
I hope he retires when he wants to. He’s clearly HOF.
I also hope he remains part of the community. Men like Mike Evans are so important. And not just in football.
August 9th, 2025 at 10:18 am
. . . Three more 1k seasons puts him in Top 5 all time yardage.
Can you believe that?
August 9th, 2025 at 10:20 am
ME13 also stated in the interview that Jerry Rice told him he hopes that Mike breaks his 1000 yard consecutive season record-wow what a class guy Rice is.
August 9th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Come on big Mike…stay healthy all year and into the playoffs…then get paid again (Jason will make it worth it) and come back for one more. I think this year and next is going to be good to us.
August 9th, 2025 at 11:38 am
I see and appreciate all the comments saying if Mike wins a 2nd ring and/or gets another 1K yards, he’ll retire. It’s a fair assessment.
But c’mon now – IF the Bucs win the SB this year, if Mike is anywhere near the competitor we all think he is – I can almost guarantee he’ll be “ALL IN” on a repeat SB win.
Imagine is Mike retired with all his records AND either 2 or maybe 3 rings? It would put him into HOF no doubt, and allow his name to be debated with Rice as the GOAT of WR’s.
I’m just trying to imagine how he might think if the Bucs win a SB this year – do most of you really think he’d walk away from a chance at a coveted “two-peat?”
As long as his body is good, he has that warrior mentality and never quit doing it – – until he can’t.
August 9th, 2025 at 11:45 am
This season would break Rice’s record of consecutive 1k seasons. Correct me if I’m wrong, but doesn’t Rice also have the record for total 1k seasons, at 14?
Four more seasons breaks that record too. Mike would go from being a HOFer, to a legit argument for top 5 ever.
August 9th, 2025 at 11:46 am
I think Mike still has some left in the tank after this season he’s only 32, at his size he can play successfully play another 2 after this one if healthy. Will be nice to see him break Jerry’s record but someone I’m sure will come along and make a run at it especially with how much it’s become a passing league He’s also like 160 catches from the triple crown of career Recievers 1000(catches)10,000(Yards- he’s done.) 100+(TDs-He’s done) I’d prefer him chase that! Gold jackets solidified if you ask me already
August 9th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
Jeffrey Becker: Calvin Johnson
August 9th, 2025 at 12:37 pm
Do you know how old the top receivers played to?
Rice: 42
Owens: 37
Moss: 35
Carter: 37
Harrison: 36
Fitz: 37
Mike is 32. Looking at their stats, has 2 good seasons left.
August 9th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
30 or 32 or 35 is nothing for a good athlete
August 9th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
He’s got a few years left in the tank as it stands today but I think Edelman is a good example as to why, as a WR over 30, you can’t forecast anything other than year to year. Once you’ve played in the league for 10+ years a season ending injury becomes a career ending injury.
August 9th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
I think no matter what happens, but especially if the get a Ring and he gets his 1000 he may play 1 year contracts for 2 more years maybe 3 but I think 2.
August 9th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
He gets a ring.. sorry dyslexia…… and Blantons
August 9th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
I hate the sentiment that 31 is old. It really depends on the type of player. If he was little and lived on speed alone I would start getting concerned of a potential decline as he is getting into the 30s. In Evan’s case he is so big and strong, with great body control, even if he slowed he is still a massive possession receiver.l with an enormous wingspan. He has been winning against double teams and making contested catches his entire career. He could play deep into his 30s. How bout holding off on retirement talk and putting anything into his brain for another 3-4 years.
August 9th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
I’m so glad ME is a Buc. Thankfully, the organization was intelligent enough not to draft Johnny Football, as some fans pushed for. What a mistake that would have been!
August 10th, 2025 at 4:35 am
Mike deserves it all. He has given we fans his greatness for years. He is feeling good, and thinking and hoping he has 2-3 more years before he retires.