“What do you think, ‘Meek,’ can I still hang with these corners?”

The more Joe thinks about it, the more he just gets the hunch that Mike Evans will return for 2026.

Joe doesn’t think Evans wants to go out still being in top form but having such a lousy year, missing so many games with an injury.

And Joe knows Evans doesn’t want a playoff-less season to be the final season of his legacy with the Bucs.

If Evans doesn’t return, Joe could see the Bucs drafted a receiver on the third day of the draft. This draft is deep in receivers.

Think about it: When cats like Malachi Fields (Notre Dame), Ja’Kobi Lane (USC) and Omar Cooper (Indiana) are considered (maybe) third-round picks, that’s a deep-arse draft for receivers.

If Evans returns, no need to draft a receiver on the third day of the draft.

Joe believes the Bucs have the best foursome of receivers in the game. Evans is a Hall of Famer. Joe believes Chris Godwin will be the old Godwin this fall. If Emeka Egbuka can get back on track, look out. And Jalen McMillan, well, Joe is expecting him to blow up this fall.

And for a seventh-round pick, Tez Johnson showed he belongs in the league. You figure after his rookie season, Johnson will only get better.

Even if Evans decides to hang up his cleats, Joe isn’t going to swear the Bucs’ wide receiver corps.

Overstimulated is one way to describe that game… 😅

Tez Johnson and Chris Godwin of the @Buccaneers got to experience #StadiumSeries on the glass, and they were NOT disappointed. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/fJYq93VdsW

— NHL (@NHL) February 2, 2026