Zac Robinson Talks “Chomping At The Bit” To Use “Rare” Mike Evans
January 31st, 2026
The Joe typing here would wager large quantities of cash that Mike Evans will suit up for the Buccaneers later this year.
It feels inevitable, as Baker Mayfield explained.
New Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson didn’t want to talk much about pending free agent Evans during his introductory news conference this week. But hours after that, Robinson couldn’t seem to contain his Evans excitement during a visit with WDAE radio.
“Man, the fact that it’s a possibility [for Evans] to come back. Shoot, everybody would obviously love that in this building,” Robinson said. “…We’ll make sure that Mike feels like he always has here; he feels like he’s loved here and has a ton of appreciation. Like I said, I’ve been watching this guy for so long that, man, he’s a rare talent and a rare player. Obviously, a future Hall of Famer, all those things that go into it. We’ll kind of get there once we get there, but man, we’ll be chomping at the bit if that’s the case for him coming back.”
“… Mike is a true X receiver and those guys are so rare, those guys that can line up on their own. They can win down the field. They can dictate coverage. They can tilt coverage one way to open up other people on the other side. That is very rare in the NFL to have an X receiver who can do what Mike does. He’s done it for a long time and I’ve always enjoyed watching him play.”
Evans is rare, which is why he’s been the critical cog in the Bucs offense for 12 seasons. He uplifts the entire unit. As Mayfield always says, “the offense runs through Mike.” And that means much more than just throwing the ball to No. 13.
Evans’ presence is a literal game-changer, as Robinson explained.
Joe has no reason to believe Evans cannot deliver in 2026. Evans turns 33 in August. Joey Galloway had three consecutive huge seasons for the Bucs at age 34, 35 and 36. Keenan McCardell was a Bucs Pro Bowl receiver at 33 years old (2003) with an 84-catch season for 1,174 yards. Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens had monster seasons when they were 33.
Why not Mike?
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January 31st, 2026 at 9:57 pm
Fingers crossed. Hard to imagine a Bucs offense without Mike at the WR1 position.
January 31st, 2026 at 10:35 pm
Evans is rare and Bowlzo is ripe.
January 31st, 2026 at 10:56 pm
ZR’s quote was a plea. I hope it works!
I really thought that he would come back anyway. I think that he wants to play and that he only wants to play for Tampa Bay.
January 31st, 2026 at 11:40 pm
There is NO ONE on the team who can do the things 6′ 5″ Mike can do
January 31st, 2026 at 11:49 pm
Mike will be a true #1 for at least another 2-3 season. Still disappointed they didn’t lock him up to a longer term last time – but if I’m the Bucs, I’m giving a 3-year deal.
I said before last season I thought Evans career most reminds me of Terrell Owens, and Mike, like Owens, ended up getting hurt at age 32. The next year Owens, at age 33, he had 1180 yards and 13 TDs – which sounds about right to me if Baker bounces back. Owens then, at age 34, had 1355 yards and 15 TDs, then at age 35 had 1052 yards and 10 TDs, before falling off to 829 yards and 5 TDs and finally 983 yards and 9 TDs.
That’s pretty similar to how I think Evans career is going to play out. I haven’t seen a single sign of him slowing down – and Evans absolutely looks faster now than he looked in his younger years when he was heavier.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:10 am
Rod, nice comparison! Hope you’re right as long as he does it with the Bucs.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:17 am
Canales and the Panthers drafted T-Mac in the top 10 because T-Mac is like Mike Evans. À true X WR.
Drake London was also drafted in the top 10. To be like Mike.
I think we should look into getting Keon Coleman.
He could be Mikes protege for a couple seasons.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:59 am
T Mac and Drake London are poor man comparisons to Mike.
6 feet 4 inches and 78 inch wingspans.
Keon Coleman’s wingspan was not measured but probably is 75 or 76 inch based upon his shorter arms of 32 inches.
But ME has go-go gadget arm length and wingspan. That 82 inch wingspan is NFL history unique — not just long like T Mac or London — Historically long!
Think about it this way:
1. The QB’s Benefit — In tight coverage, a QB doesn’t have to be perfect. They can throw the ball “away” from the defender.
2. The Math — If a defender is draped over the receiver’s back, Evans reach 2 inches further away from his own chest than T Mac or London. It is 4 inches further away than Coleman.
3. “Standing Reach” is the king for the Endzone — A player 6′ 4″ and 78″ wingspan has a standing reach of 8′ 4″. Mike Evans at 6′ 5″ and an 82″ wingspan has a standing reach of 8′ 9″.
Those gaps will continue to be the difference between a pass breakup and a TD completion.
It’s not to say other players are not assets — it’s just we won’t be able to replicate the historic red zone TD production ME has gotten the Bucs with one of those other guys.
That’s why Robinson is salivating for ME to return.
February 1st, 2026 at 8:12 am
@Rod, excellent comparison. I see ME the same way. He has at least 2 – 3 great years left, especially when defenses will have to also defend CG, EE and Mac. The offense could be hot to watch if Mr Robinson can be half of what Coen was.
February 1st, 2026 at 8:32 am
Mike is not going anywhere cause the Bucs hold the winning hand…Franchise Tag, so if that’s what needs to happen, we lock him up for next year…the new salary cap helps with this…and if his injuries pile up again, we decide after season what to do next…with a new O.C. again it will be interesting to see what season he has…I say if all 4 receivers are finally healthy, then its gonna be worth it
February 1st, 2026 at 9:09 am
Manipulator of coverage.
Can still stretch the field.
PI magnet.
Redzone Bully.
Will get every target not named Mike Evans a 1 on 1.
What OC wouldn’t want to have an offense with Mike Evans in it?
February 1st, 2026 at 9:43 am
Jerry Rice, 2002 season.
92 receptions, 1,211 yds
40 years old!
February 1st, 2026 at 11:48 am
Does anyone else miss seeing the old man Galloway toasting defenders and flexing in the end zone afterwards?? Before there was 13 it was 84. He was 36 and still running by defenders. Miss having a home run threat like that.
February 1st, 2026 at 11:59 am
I sure hope that Mike is back next year. He takes good care of himself and I expect him to have a great year. Mike and Ashli’s family foundation does a lot of great work in the area so they are a role model for other Buc’s players.
February 1st, 2026 at 3:23 pm
Mike should know better by now that Bowles is incompetent.
When he yelled third and twenty-eight after the Atlanta game, I think his mind was made up.
He needs to go somewhere that has a defense capable of stopping a wet fart.
The NFC South crown is not the Superbowl unless your name is Todd Bowles.
February 1st, 2026 at 5:06 pm
Never discount the power of “3rd&28 ???!!!!!” That might be the straw that breaks the camels back after 3 years of Bowles ineptitude and reading posts from fanboyos on this website
February 1st, 2026 at 6:24 pm
the bucs can franchise tag him.. they aren’t letting him go somewhere else. his options are to either play for the bucs or retire.
February 1st, 2026 at 7:00 pm
Geno711 Says:
February 1st, 2026 at 7:59 am
T Mac and Drake London are poor man comparisons to Mike.
6 feet 4 inches and 78 inch wingspans.
———–
Falcons fans got very mad when I’d compliment them by saying London looked like a mini-Mike Evans.
T Mac, while he’s tall, he’s not built at all like Mike – he’s sort of a tall Jalen McMillan in how he looks.
That’s not to say I don’t think both those guys are very good WRs, but people shouldn’t be comparing guys like that to a first ballot HOFer.
February 2nd, 2026 at 10:55 am
Mike is great.