Mike Evans’ Agent Hopes He Has More Football Ahead Of Him
February 9th, 2026
Will he or won’t he? That’s what is going through just about every Bucs fan’s mind when wondering if Mike Evans comes back to football, and just as important, if he returns to the Bucs.
Almost lost in the hype surrounding the 24-hour Super Bowl pregame show yesterday was a little bit of Bucs news.
Apparently, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network got a hold of Mike Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore. It seems Evans is leaning toward returning to football this year.
Where that may be is another story.
“Mike started the season in great shape,” Gilmore said. “Most people in the [Bucs’] organization said he probably had the best camp of everyone.
“He finished feeling better than he has in several seasons. I think his competitive nature leads to more football. That is my hope.
“Like most fans, I love watching him play.”
Joe will offer a word of caution. Gilmore has a history of playing people. So pardon Joe is this offends anyone, but Joe isn’t just going to swallow Gilmore’s words whole.
Joe has no earthly idea what Evans wants to do. Baker Mayfield seems confident Evans will come back. Few know Evans like Mayfield does. Joe trusts Mayfield more than Gilmore.
But yeah, Joe really wants to see Evans return, too.
From @NFLGameDay: Mike Evans’ agent is hopeful his client has a 13th season in his future Hall of Fame career, though as a free agent, it’s unclear where that would occur. pic.twitter.com/gfpHI2NQMW
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 8, 2026
February 9th, 2026 at 12:17 am
Why would anyone not play for Todd Bowles at a big discount? Rare to learn from such a master of football. Mike will be back in the Bowles fold, sure thing.
February 9th, 2026 at 12:54 am
4th and 26 . The image of the season was Mike disgusted on the sidelines . There were no sufficient coaching changes made on defense , the bucs will have to impress in free agency for any slim chance Mike stays. Patriots showed you dont need a Josh Allen to make the super bowl but you do need a defense
February 9th, 2026 at 12:56 am
Bowles is the defensive mastermind. Just listen to all the talking heads who cover the Bucs, they always rave about Bowles’ genius. It’s not his fault his players can’t grasp the scheme, it was the failure of all of the assistants. Sad.
February 9th, 2026 at 1:12 am
We suck- but we beat the champs in their house.
February 9th, 2026 at 6:45 am
An agent wants more $$ sure he wants ME13 to play.
February 9th, 2026 at 6:56 am
Man, I think i speak for ALOT of Bucs fans with this one! MR JASON LICHT looks like a genius not drafting guys like James Pearce who had a good rookie season but the kid may have just ended his whole career over none sense! In Licht we trust…
February 9th, 2026 at 7:30 am
20 games?
February 9th, 2026 at 7:57 am
Mike wont play for anyone else.
February 9th, 2026 at 8:09 am
This posturing is going to get louder leading up to and coming out of the combine. March 11th will be here in no time.
February 9th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Hope is the word old man.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Weelllll! Now that Being a nice guy(hackhackwheezegag) matters more to the Glazers then winning??? Get ready for a biiiggggg fall!! You kept the NICE GUY AND TO SOLVE THE problem bowlzo has to beak in an entirely new staff! You really think its going to go smoothly??? Look at other teams with new ac”s dc’s and how long it takes to mesh with the players. With bowlzo refusing to give up on calling the defense, the owners and Jason giving him cart Blanche running the team? This team is going to go nowhere!!! Period.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:09 am
I think ME comes back
February 9th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Of course agent Happy Gilmore wants Evans to keep playing. He gets a nice cut ( 3% I believe ). The saying “it’s better to cut loose a player one year too early vs too late” may apply here. If he signs elsewhere, the Bucs avoid a PR nightmare and can claim they were outbid. When he was rightly ranting and raving at the end of the “3rd & 28!” Falcon game…he may have decided to go elsewhere there and then.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:59 am
I think Mike goes to HOU….
Dean will return tho lol…1year/4mil
bowles loves his guys and needs players who “know” his system
GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Dean having been given free agency in lieu of a pay-cut…will almost assuredly sign elsewhere for top dollar. Licht locked up ( more like handcuffed ) Zyon and 2nd rounded Benji Morrison for the foreseeable future.
February 9th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Sure he’s tired of playing under radio and his terrible a$$$ defense!!!
O scores like clock work defense gives it right back every time!!
3rd 28.
Ridiculous all them good HC were out there n the glazers stuck with this clown wtf
February 9th, 2026 at 10:36 am
Dean has missed over 10games the past few years…
no GM in their right mind would sign a soon to be 30year old CB that has a long injury history and with average play to a fat contract?
he’ll be back lol
GO BUCS!!!!
February 9th, 2026 at 11:06 am
Get out of here Mike they don’t want to throw you the ball anyhow.
February 9th, 2026 at 11:39 am
Love to have him but where do we get the 20 mil he will expect and probably get elsewhere?
February 9th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
I want him to be a Rondé and not play for another team. Mike looked great before and after the injury. Dude hasn’t slowed down. He’s still elite. Bring him back
February 9th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
home town discount – $15 mill
or go elsewhere – defense needs help first