Franchise Tag In Play For Mike Evans
January 29th, 2026
“This Joe” is fired up about the rumors of Mike Evans possibly considering leaving the Bucs for a new team. Why? That means Evans wants to keep playing football!
And if that’s the case, then there’s little reason to think Evans will leave Tampa.
No. 1, the Bucs can pay Evans about $26 million or so via the franchise tag for 2026. He doesn’t have to leave if the Bucs don’t want him to go. That’s how the game is played. Chris Godwin was franchise tagged twice.
No. 2, one of Evans’ very best friends in the world (just ask Evans) is Godwin. Joe has no reason to believe Evans wants to leave Godwin, whose presence helps Evans on the field.
No. 3, the Bucs have all the makings of a good offense with Evans, and Evans knows damn well deep balls flow best behind a strong offensive line and a big-arm quarterback. The Bucs have both.
No. 4, Joe has heard Team Glazer is highly committed to keeping its iconic players in town. Heck, fading legend Lavonte David just told FanDuel TV today that Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht and head coach Todd Bowles welcomed him back to the 2026 roster. Now it’s just up to David.
As Joe wrote in the post about the fresh Evans rumor, it smells like Evans’ agent is blowing his usual smoke hoping to squeeze the Bucs for more money.
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January 29th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
My dream is to have both #13 and #54 back in the fold for 2026. Love those two HoF Bucs!
January 29th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
No. 3 is false advertisement. Big arm only works when the D line isnt in your QBs face at the snap. The interior of out O Line allows that at the snap in most 3rd down passing situations. Go Bucs! (But lets be realistic)
O-line is fine when healthy, as it’s projected to be next season. –Joe
January 29th, 2026 at 12:09 pm
Crazy how loyalty is just a non-factor in today’s NFL
January 29th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
It would stink seeing Mike Evans on another roster, but he should go. The Bucs are not going to do anything with Bowles as the head coach so go win a Super Bowl Mike with the Chiefs.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:23 pm
What’s are the most important variables for Big Mike? No one knows that other than ME. If winning another ring is at the top of the list why would he stay in Tampa? This is a sh!tshow at best. Defense is a sieve. Seriously, Bucs will need to score 28-30 a game to be competitive next season with THAT schedule.
Look at the #s – everyone assumes he would want to play home for the Texans. Keep an eye on the money. Texans are currently 14M over the cap. KC is 68M over the cap.
Teams with money to spend are Patriots, Broncos, Rams, Seahawks, Chargers, Colts, SF… those are some of the contenders next year.
Dont get me wrong, Big Mike is a HOFer and one of my fav Bucs of all time. But it’s not like this team is one player away from contending for a SB in 2026. We need so much help defensively. If Bucs are to spend the money, spend it elsewhere to revamp this defensive roster. I mean Bucs need a complete DEFENSIVE MAKEOVER… starting with the DC but that’s not going to happen.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
There is no way Mike plays for another team, and they will not need to Franchise Tag him.
He’ll switch to year to year though.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
The truth is that we have enough talent at WR to move on…but I do not believe the team or Mike wants him to move on.
Personally, I’m hoping he plays one more year for us.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
I would love to have Mike back, but if Mike “wants” to go somewhere else, he has earned that right. Dude gave his best years to the lost decade, I will be pissed if the team jams him up if it’s what he wants. Stay classy Tampa Bay
January 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Austin Says:
“Crazy how loyalty is just a non-factor in today’s NFL”
Mike is 100% loyal.
Fans, on the other hand…
January 29th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Conte Piscatelli Says:
“Dude gave his best years to the lost decade”
Lost? A Superbowl win and multiple division championships?
January 29th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
IF IF – Mike wants to go, I think Licht and the Glazers respect him enough that they would not tag him. However, I think Mike will find it’s in the best interest of himself and his family to stay. Zac and Bake will feed Mike, and he will have a great year.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
He ain’t going anywhere.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Franchise tag? For those hammies? Hell naw. It would be another dagger in Licht’s final season.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
That is WAY overpaying!
He has lost his quickness and hamstrings and scared.
Cap friendly deal or go to the highest bidder.
He is in the same place many HOFers have been in, the same reason Brady and Gronk came here.
No sentimental over paying
January 29th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
I hate to say it. We gotta move on from Mike Evans and Chris Godwin eventually. We are closer to that point than further away from it.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
We can’t pay him a cent more than $15m and even that might be too much. We need to spend on defense, no way around it.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
Mike has given this team several discounts reworking his contracts. Maybe he has decided enough is enough. It’s late in his career and wants the final payday with a contender.
He’s not going to get it here.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Only the Bucs waste money on these has-been, old injured players
It makes zero sense
January 29th, 2026 at 12:48 pm
Love Mike. But he can’t stay healthy. The question is do you want to pay for less than a full season?
I would just because he opens things up so much for everyone else. Yes he drops a ton of passes now and will likely miss 3-5 games, but if he’s healthy in the playoffs this team can beat anyone.
Heck they beat Seattle IN Seattle when everyone was healthy. If it took the Franchise Tag that’s what I’d do.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
15 mil guaranteed and 5 mil in Bonus incentives that are achievable with a fully healthy season(Bonus incentives DO NOT count against the cap even if they are paid). This kind of deal makes sense , because that is the correct valuation.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Lavonte has lost a step, sure. Duh. I don’t think we beat Seattle or Carolina last year without him. Experience leads to wins. We need more linebackers bad, and we need Lavonte to play one more year. Mike, on the other hand, may just have a career year if he can stay healthy. If we somehow lose Mike Evans that would be the biggest mistake we have made in the years I’ve followed this team. Yes, he’s that good.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Evans wants another ring. He knows that Toad Bowels will never get there as a HC.
The Texans would be deadly with a HOF WR like Evans onboard.
I think the 2025 collapse was the final straw for him.
3rd and 28!!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
FREE M1K3!!!
Mike has been loyal. He put up with a lot of bad years with quiet leadership. Next season is going to be a rebuild year. Why force him to stay? To save a failed HC or selfish fandom?
He’s at the end of his career. BE A REAL FAN. Let him chase a ring.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:01 pm
I wouldn’t blame him if he did end up leaving. He knows the time is ticking away. I’m just not sure anyone else would be willing to pay him as much as he Bucs would. He’s pretty beat up now. And, he seems pretty comfortable here. I think he’d REALLY have to WANT OUT in order to sign elsewhere. The only thing that worries me is the trade deadline. Maybe, he’s taking that into consideration as well… I mean, he knows what’s up. He’s been around the block and seen enough by now, in this league. He knows how it works and has to have a pretty good feel concerning THIS Bucs Team’s 2026 prospects and overall outlook. I’m just hoping he remains a Buc, stays amazingly healthy, and is having a GREAT season up until the deadline. Then, we can ‘move him’ for a REAL SWEAT 2027-Pick, when we are sitting there at 2-6.
Same for Godwin. Same for Vea. Same goes for Kancey, if they do not pick-up his 5th-year option. Winfield Junior, too! Might be stuck with that McCollum contract. I hope ALL those guys stay healthy! That’s A LOT of future assets worth, with the “all-time” (per Todd McShay) LOADED 2027 Draft-Class. So, bring on the youth movement. NONE of this “we can still go on a run and win the division” NONSENSE, while trying to save Lickt and Bowles’ Jobs. The Bucs need to get MUCH younger. They’ve just been holding on. BARELY. In an extremely weak division. It will definitely be time to ‘face the music’ by then. All three of Carolina, NOLA, and ATL are heading into the right direction. The Bucs have been stuck in ‘quicksand’ and are sinking fast. It’s a Bucs Life.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:10 pm
@ Austin Says: “Crazy how loyalty is just a non-factor in today’s NFL.”
WTF are you talking about!? He’s been with the SAME TEAM for his entire career.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
“O-line is fine when healthy, as it’s projected to be next season.” –Joe
What IF the main reason for the Bucs O-Line having such an ELITE 2024 season, was mostly due to COEN!?
Well, one could look at the sad Jaguars running game this season and maybe breathe easier. They had a lower yards-per-carry than the Bucs with Grizzard. –Joe
January 29th, 2026 at 1:21 pm
It’s so crucial that we hold onto and then use EVERY available asset we have. Have to take advantage. Once they’re gone they are GONE. And, then you get NOTHING.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
gotta keep Mike a Buc 4 life…
with that said, if mike wants to leave and chase a ring with HOU or KC, glazers should do the right thing and let him go…
GO BUCS!!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
we would get a compensatory pick probably…yes?
January 29th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
“ Well, one could look at the sad Jaguars running game this season and maybe breathe easier. They had a lower yards-per-carry than the Bucs with Grizzard. –Joe.”
Possible. I had no idea. They looked really good at the beginning of the season. They must’ve fallen off of a cliff then. Injuries!? Idk. I didn’t see very many of their games. I do know that he had a GREAT reputation as being a ‘top notch’ run blocking scheme coach. He sure was with the Bucs and also at Kentucky, where they used to talk about it all the time. Guess we’ll see… Definitely makes it even more interesting.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Something to think about. The Jags didn’t have much of a running attack this past season and Trevor Lawrence, although having a pretty good year numbers wise, did not have as good a year statistically as Baker did under Coen. What’s the difference between their 13 wins this season and the Bucs winning 10 in ‘34? Defense!
January 29th, 2026 at 2:02 pm
Franchise Tag?
Not a chance – that’s $28,000,0000
We all love Evans but he’s breaking down and definitely can’t be counted on for a full 17 games. On top of that, this team are not contenders – whats the point?
January 29th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
So many reasons for Mike to stay. And Zac did say “He would love to work with Mike.” He came back in such good shape this season that my heart broke he didn’t get the yards and wins.
January 29th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
813 ,, are you a bot ,, cause you sure as Smuck ain’t a Buc fan ,,, you probably root for the Maple Leafs over the Bolts , Bag it loser!
January 29th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
@TackleBlockWin
I thought they took a chance signing Godwin to that extension from the beginning.
January 29th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
As most smart nfl teams say no to paying 15-20 mil to a WR that will play 10-12 games next year… the bucs continue to be nice guys… and you know what they say about nice guys
January 29th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
Mikes injury this year was due to a dip sh1t tackling him while pinning his arm 5 yards before the ball was going to be there and not allowing Mike to break his fall. I guess Jmac is old and brittle too since he was under cut and landed on his neck…
With that no way you franchise him, for one that’s disrespectful to Mike if he wants to leave and number two, 28 mil per year is way too much.
Last, the glazers should’ve taken the hint after the 3rd & 28 debacle that Mike was not very happy with his DC… If Mike does leave it’ll be because he has zero faith in Bowles abilities. If he stays then that speaks volumes on what he thinks of Bowles, at that point maybe the fans should take Mikes lead and support the team/HC.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
The only way the Bucs let him leave at this point is if he’s part of a trade deal for a stud defensive player i.e MILES…then it makes the pill easier to swallow
January 29th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Man, it would be tough to let Mike walk. I dont think JL is the type to use the tag on a player who just had an injury plagued season. I hope they can work something out for both sides.
January 29th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
If the Glazers and JL really and truly want these guys back, then load the roster with so much talent it would be almost impossible for Bowles to screw it up. Frankly, I don’t see it happening. ME13 and LVD are the best and it would break my heart to see them endure another losing season at this point in their careers. If you are not serious about winning then let these guys go, so they have a chance at glory somewhere else one last time.
January 29th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Let him go if he wants to he has earned going to a team closer to a chip. The bucs not impressed with the coaching and maybe they need a couple more years of building if the glazers are right and they didn’t have the players and it wasn’t the coaching then they need a lot of players on that defense the whole dline needs a massive overhaul and the linebackers that’s a lot not to mention I don’t even know what zion is as a corner but it doesnt look good.
January 29th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
WHERE would Mike go? Turns out Houston has a crappy QB. Buffalo has imploded since the season ended KC? They’re worse than us
January 29th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
LVD was not good last year. At all. One of the worst coverage grades in the league. But of course Licht and Todd are welcoming him back. They’ll probably even give him a raise like they did last year..$10M for a 37 yr old off linebacker.
Enough with the sentimentality. Start winning some f’ing games.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
Evans wants the biggest ‘BAG; he can get.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:51 pm
I don’t care what any of you GM’s say. This is one guy you simply don’t let leave. An icon. A Hall of Famer. Fortunately, the Glazers care.
January 29th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
Foolish, but this coincides with his ridiculous Godwin contract. Look it up, most players third and fourth contracts with the same team dont work for the team. So tie up close to 50 mil for two older and injury prone receivers. If this comes to fruition, we come older, expensive at receiver and won’t get a good ROI. I like Mike, but my loyalties lie with the Bucs, not the player.
January 29th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Could the Bucs do a tag and trade deal with someone like Houston or New England for Mike’s services? Seems like they should try to get something for him if he wants to leave!
January 29th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
Ridiculous! I love Evans and think he is vital to the Bucs offense but no, the franchise tag for a a wide receiver in 2026 is projected to be $28.1 million and there is no way in he!! the Bucs are going to pay that. Something about half that is what his ceiling is, given his recent injury history.
I’m guessing anything approaching $18 million is a deal breaker.
January 29th, 2026 at 9:35 pm
Kidfloflo said – “The only way the Bucs let him leave at this point is if he’s part of a trade deal for a stud defensive player”
Man, sad to think that someone doesn’t realize that a player had to actually be under contract in order to trade him.
FortMyersDave said – “Could the Bucs do a tag and trade deal with someone like Houston or New England for Mike’s services? Seems like they should try to get something for him if he wants to leave!
There is no team on the planet, I believe, that would be willing to pay approximately $28.1 million per year for Mike Evans – twice what his projected value is – in a sign and trade under the franchise tag. So, theoretically, I guess you are right but practically, no chance in he!!.
Besides, talk about double dogging a sure Hall of Famer who has been not only a team player, but a major asset to the community and last year’s Walter Payton Award candidate.
January 29th, 2026 at 10:38 pm
Bucs already have way too many overpaid players. 28 mil is ridiculous for Mike. Love the guy but you can’t keep giving away the farm. MHJ, McCollum, Godwin, LVD are all serious drains on the cap. Wirfs is too but at least he’s at market value.we have a lot of needs. Overpaying Mike to satisfy sentimentality is insane. And don’t try to say it is for the fans. If they cared about the fans we wouldn’t be stuck with Todd for 26.
January 30th, 2026 at 5:24 am
Watch evens leave to go for a ring and bucs make the Superbowl. Not likely but it would be a bucs tye of thing to happen lol. Just give him what he wants he’s never going to hurt the team over money
January 30th, 2026 at 6:16 am
franchisimo mikeisimo
January 30th, 2026 at 6:16 am
big mike stays because big mike slays
January 30th, 2026 at 7:44 am
If Mike wants to go let him carry his *##. Mike is on the out 🤷🏾♂️ gets hurt every season, up there in age. I love Mike my Fav buc of all time but if he wants to go elsewhere let him go , move on and focus on who’s there. We are well equipped at the position if he decides to haul *##. KC Buffalo and maybe Denver is the only spots he can go to and have a real chance at winning another SB. Any other team and it’s playoffs MAYBE. 💯💯
January 30th, 2026 at 7:26 pm
Start covering the defense. The offense is fine. Defense is a major problem. They need 2 edge rushers.