Mike Evans’ Agent Starts Free Agency Sales Job With A Bang
February 8th, 2026
Two years ago Buccaneers great Mike Evans signed a new two-year contract and talked about wanting to be a “Buc for life.”
Buccaneers Ring of honor general manager Jason Licht was smiling in lockstep with his first-ever draft pick for Tampa Bay. “Buc for life” was the catch phrase of March 2024.
Well, life has now led Evans to the end of his contract. And Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, is doing his best to let the world know Evans is still a healthy superstar.
Gilmore strategically timed a message to NFL Network today, one that was read on-air by reporter Mike Garafolo on the network pregame show.
Garafolo quoted Gilmore in what felt like a dramatic reading: “Mike [Evans] started the season in great shape. Most people in the organization said he probably had the best [training] 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!”
(Garafolo emphasized that Gilmore used a lot of exclamation points in his communications.)
So Evans wants back on the field; that seems beyond obvious.
Would Evans feel dissed if the Bucs don’t at least offer him the $23 million annually on a multi-year deal they are paying Chris Godwin?
Evans leaving Tampa Bay feels very hard to believe, but fans years ago could have said the exact same thing — with the exact same passion — about Jerry Rice, Julio Jones, Davante Adams and other legends.
Joe hopes the Bucs do the right thing and do it quickly. Baker Mayfield is confident that’s exactly what will happen.
The free agency dinner bell rings March 9 at noon. The Bucs could slap the franchise tag on Evans as early as Feb. 17.
Talking Bucs On Super Bowl Radio Row, New Hire, Today’s Lessons, Chris Godwin Longing(?), And More
February 8th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
Give Evans a 5-year deal. The guy is going to have at least 3 more 1000 yard season. Again, look at Terrell Owens, he’s the guy who last off-season I said Evans reminds me most of, and just like Evans, he also got hurt in his age 32 year, and he came back with 3 more monster seasons, followed by two 900-yardish seasons.
Stop the year-to-year nonsense, give Evans a long-term deal so he’s got a long-term goal.
If it doesn’t work out then who cares – the team will be rebuilding anyways in that case.
February 8th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
Bring him back! Deserves to be a Buc for as long as he wants
February 8th, 2026 at 8:01 pm
NE probably gets shut out.
February 8th, 2026 at 8:09 pm
Using the Jameis Winston ‘almost interception’ stat, how many ‘almost interceptions’ has Darnold thrown tonight? I think it’s 3 right now. Any ‘experts’ have a different number?
February 8th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
With Adams having such a big year there is no way Evans doesn’t play. I know he’s brought him up in the past and with Evans getting passed in TDs he’ll be back for a while.
February 8th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
How do we know mike is going to be motivated.
February 8th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
Offer him that exact contact, 3 years $66m. He’ll take it. We can just run 4 wide, air raid offense all day. Draft all defense and get some depth on OL. We got this
February 8th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
@ Rod Munch Says: “Give Evans a 5-year deal.”
Yeah, give him 10. Why not 20!? Hell, give him 30-YEARS!!!! It’s ABSURD. You’re allowing YOUR EMOTIONS to takeover. NO ONE else is giving him anything even CLOSE to 5-YEARS. So, that would make perfect sense then, for the Bucs to do it. In WHAT WORLD!? That’s just ridiculous. For a 33 year-old WR, who only played half a season last year, obviously has lost a step, and had 300-yards. There is absolutely NO REASON to lock yourself into that. Period. It would make ZERO sense to do it.
I’m not saying he can’t still be effective as a 3rd-Down ‘possession receiver’ and being used as a RedZone weapon. But, his best days are behind him. He was in HIS best shape last season going into the season, and you could still clearly see a drop off. He was not ‘moving’ anywhere near as well, as what he used to. He’s JUST NOT. And, it was obvious to see. It’s a negotiation, and NO ONE is giving him 5-YEARS. He’s not getting that ANYWHERE ELSE.
February 8th, 2026 at 8:40 pm
Let the market set his price. Either match it, or move on. Watching this SB right now it’s being won up front. Seattle’s DTs are dominating this game. Until we have that, having Evans back at any price won’t matter.
February 8th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Who is calling the plays for New England. Looks like Grizzard ? lol.
February 8th, 2026 at 8:58 pm
Wow, the Seattle defense gave up 17.2 points per game. Amazing…
2002 Bucs defense gave up 12.2 points per game – and it didn’t need some stupid nickname. Only gimmick defenses need nicknames.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:01 pm
Hope Bowles is watching the Super Bowl defenses in Cabo.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:02 pm
Evans lost a step??? Sure he needs to do more yoga in the offseason and stretch that effing hamstring, but that falcons game where he was mossing that little boy CB should tell you all you need to know about Evans and his state of WR ability at his age.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:04 pm
MelvinJunior Says:
February 8th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
@ Rod Munch Says: “Give Evans a 5-year deal.”
Yeah, give him 10. Why not 20!? Hell, give him 30-YEARS!!!! It’s ABSURD. You’re allowing YOUR EMOTIONS to takeover.
———–
5-years takes him to 38.
He’s going to be elite for at least 3 more season.
If you haven’t noticed, the cap goes up an insane amount every year, meaning existing contracts are more valuable by the year.
Mike had his most dominate offseason of his career last year, hasn’t shown a single sign of slowing down – and is an ALL-TIME HOF talent. He’s also a guy who doesn’t rely on speed. He’s going to dominate for years. If the Bucs gave him 5years/$150M, that’s like $20M/year last year, and will be a deal even next year.
Who does Mike compare to? They’re Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald. Other big guys who end up not playing well fall off pretty much the moment they turn 30 – normally because they rely on speed.
There’s literally no one on this site that knows more about football than me, and I said the last time the Bucs were going through this to sign up Mike to at least a 5-year deal – and they’d be in a much better place right now had they done so then since it would be a huge value contract.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:07 pm
I don’t think we can afford him. Also if we don’t invest on defense, expect more of the same next year with a potential rebuild the year after. Sucks that our ceiling is hoping we resign an aging (yes first ballot hof) wide receiver to continue his 1000 yard seasons, while passing up again on an experienced edge rusher, or corner, linebacker, etc. and fielding another 20th-30th overall defense 😩😩😩😩😩 it might be a while until we sniff the playoffs again, not trying to be negative, just realistic.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Why the hell did the NFL have the Bunny sing the entire halftime in SPANISH??? CUNYO!@!
February 8th, 2026 at 9:17 pm
His hamstrings are scarred
Sorry Mike … your cap space can bring in 2-3 starters
February 8th, 2026 at 9:19 pm
How the hell doesn’t every American know how to speak English and Spanish? I’m visiting Iceland this year and they speak English. They can speak English, but we can’t speak Spanish, the language of our neighbors to the south and fellow American Puerto Ricans?
February 8th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
As a reminder…
Patriots schedule:
Wk1: fired coach
Wk2: fired coach
Wk3: fired coach
Wk4: nfc south
Wk5: fired coach
Wk6: nfc south
Wk7: fired coach
Wk8: fired coach
Wk9: fired coach
Wk10: nfc south
Wk11: jets
Wk12: bengals
Wk13: fired HC
Wk15: fired HC
Wk16: fired HC
Wk17: jets
Wk18: fired HC
February 8th, 2026 at 9:29 pm
We could run that same play to Durham, but nooooooooooooo
February 8th, 2026 at 9:30 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
February 8th, 2026 at 9:29 pm
We could run that same play to Durham, but nooooooooooooo
———-
But Baker would miss him by 15 yards.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:33 pm
“But Baker would miss him by 15 yards”
Or 8ft over Durhams’ head
February 8th, 2026 at 9:34 pm
I agree with Munch. A 5 year deal. Big signing bonus. His skillset does not diminish the way Tyreek Hill’s would.
He’s been a role model. He’s a HOF player.
Sometimes guys make the team better. He’s one of those guys. They are rare.
When he does decide to retire, they should throw a water parade and rename the street outside of Ray Jay.
Yeah, I’m over the top. But this guy has meant a hell of a lot to this community. When we had nothing else to cheer for, Mike Evans delivered.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:34 pm
Rod Munch Says:
February 8th, 2026 at 7:55 pm
Give Evans a 5-year deal. The guy is going to have at least 3 more 1000 yard season.
__________
Oh hell yeah!
He can definitely average 59 yards per game.
That’s definitely worth paying big money for.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:36 pm
Go for 2!
February 8th, 2026 at 9:42 pm
Licht f Ed up…Reddick…Godwin…Trask…we can go on and on forever
We can’t pay $50 mill to 2 aging injured WRs when the defense sucks.
Sorry. The ring of honor GM should have thought of that before…SMDH
Joe’s…Jason Licht is garbage… 449% loser percentage. Ring of Honor? Oh…because Brady? Outside of Brady? Dude is trash and his record reflects it.
Feelings? F your feelings? Good dad? IDK. SMDH. Jason Licht is more a set of steak knives than Cadillac. Ring of Honor? You jest.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Rod, you don’t make any sense with the rod in your mouth while speaking
February 8th, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Yo habley Español muy bueno. But I want the American Super Bowl half time in English. Some of it in Spanish would have been fine.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:52 pm
Sad to say but Baker had a terrible second half to the season. He definitely lost his mojo.
February 8th, 2026 at 9:54 pm
I’m tired of hearing about Mike Evans
If he come back or not, the game goes on
If Licht could draft like John Schneider
We wouldn’t be having this conversation
February 8th, 2026 at 9:57 pm
Mike would never leave the best head coach in the history of football, Todd Bowles.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:01 pm
Baker Mayfield having his Al Bundy moment tonight telling everyone how once threw 4 touchdowns vs this Seattle defense.
Well, actually Baker only threw 2. But still, you get the point.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:13 pm
Sign ME to huge money.
59 ypg avg is so worth it.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:16 pm
Hopefully Evan’s agent isn’t overplaying their collective hand. As much as I like seeing Hot Rod in mid-season form…the comparison to Owens isn’t his best work. Owens was/is a physical specimen. Evans is tough as nails but looks/seems a lot older than 32. His hamstrings are tighter than piano wire. If he moves along…I think he’d regret it. Don’t be surprised if Licht doesn’t overpay him a bit to stay.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:26 pm
That has to be the most uninteresting Super Bowl in history. No big plays, no interesting personality, boring coaches, boring TV presentation, awful halftime show. Zero redeeming factors.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
The 2025 NFL season is officially over
Congratulations Seahawks
February 8th, 2026 at 10:29 pm
Winny Testaverde Says:
February 8th, 2026 at 10:16 pm
Hopefully Evan’s agent isn’t overplaying their collective hand. As much as I like seeing Hot Rod in mid-season form…the comparison to Owens isn’t his best work. Owens was/is a physical specimen. Evans is tough as nails but looks/seems a lot older than 32. His hamstrings are tighter than piano wire.
———–
Typical low-IQ take from one of the Baker Boi(s).
Evans literally has 1000 yards every season of his career, gets a major injury for the first time in his career, comes back ahead of schedule, looks amazing, and this absolute idiot now claims he’s injury prone.
This is why everyone mocks and ridicules you people, you’re morons. You claim Baker is constantly hurt, to excuse his awful play, then at the same time demand he’s locked up to the biggest deal in the history of the NFL – then you say a first ballot HOFer still at his peak needs to hit the road, because Baker couldn’t even get the ball in his zip code for half the season.
Truly, world class dopes.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:30 pm
Whatever deal you are offering him remember that you are paying for 12-13 games if not less.
I want him back, but not at an insane bounty.
The fact that you’re paying for 70% of the season is likely why the agent wants to drum up drama.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:30 pm
That’s what a real D coach brings to a team. Seattles D just smoked the Pats.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:31 pm
Lakeland Says:
February 8th, 2026 at 10:27 pm
The 2025 NFL season is officially over
Congratulations Seahawks
———-
Why congratulations them? Didn’t you see that list above about how the Pats got to the SB – going over a bunch of teams that fired their coaches, and in the playoffs vs backups and guys playing ilke backups. Seattle beating them means nothing. What they should do is offer an apology to America for being part of the most boring Super Bowl ever.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
yeah lock mike in on a 3 year deal…
mike isn’t done…
mike is just getting started…
he needs to pass larry fitzgerald…
LFG………..big mike………..bring him back into the building…
do not deactivate the man’s costco card…..!!
February 8th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
Evans has earned the right to do whatever he pleases next year. Big Mike is one of the biggest all time Bucs players. Best wishes to Mike whatever he decides.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
congrats…nah………..F the seahawks………i dgaf
February 8th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
“That’s what a real D coach brings to a team. Seattles D just smoked the Pats.“
Dude, we won an SB with the same format, doing the same thing the Seahawks D did to a much better offense
There’s been at least 3 teams that’ve won with the same damn model, starting with the ‘21 Rams.
Same thing will happen though, can’t give a front 4-7 the MVP
February 8th, 2026 at 10:37 pm
On a side note, what a terrible Super bowl, Drake Maye was horrible. I know he was under duress, when he had a little time to throw he was more then off target, not even close. A ridiculously uncompetitive bad Super Bowl to watch.
I’ve watched them all, might be the worst of all to watch as a fan in my opinion.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:41 pm
Seattle just shows why Bowles is the best coach in the business. Look at all those wasted pass rushers who could have been dropping back into coverage, confusing the QB.
If all the Bucs coaches and players didn’t let Todd the Great down, Bucs cakewalk that Super Bowl.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:43 pm
Oh Hot Rod…the self-loathing hairdresser of Hillsborough. Somehow stating Mike Evans probably doesn’t need a new 5 year contract sure put you on tilt.
Add this to the list along with:
“Grrr…everybody is picking on McCoy for having Batman paraphernalia!”
“Winston is a generational talent…wish we still had him!”
“ Being a hairdresser isn’t only for cupcakes and fruit cups!”
February 8th, 2026 at 10:43 pm
Wow! Munchy sounds like a whiiinneerrr. Lakeland got it right
Seahawks dominated.
February 8th, 2026 at 11:01 pm
Sam darnold is obviously the best QB from that draft class as crazy as that sounds. Winning regular season games and MVP’s means absolutely nothing they can have it all Darnold has a ring on his finger that’s what I respect
February 8th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Darnold > Mayfield
That is for certain.
February 8th, 2026 at 11:07 pm
Let evans walk please. Give $20 mil to some younger defenders.
February 8th, 2026 at 11:07 pm
If you have a dominating defense
You can win Super Bowls with Trent Dilfer, Brad Johnson, Jim McMahon, Sam Darnold
February 8th, 2026 at 11:27 pm
BTW, with as much grief as I give Baker about folding under pressure down the stretch like a cheap lawn chair and not being nearly as good as the Baker Boi(s) claim he is – I’d still take Baker over Darnold.
So there you go, a glowing endorsement of Baker!
February 8th, 2026 at 11:32 pm
Mike will be back on a nice, one year deal . Baker will be extended for some thing like 3 years , 130 mil guaranteed. Next year $ converted to signing bonus. Free up $ for front seven overhaul.
February 8th, 2026 at 11:43 pm
If the Bucs loves Evans that much
They can always slap the tag on him
February 8th, 2026 at 11:51 pm
The only Buc we can’t afford to lose is Todd Bowles, and management proved that by getting rid of everyone else.
February 8th, 2026 at 11:56 pm
Move on. We have other receivers on the way up.
February 9th, 2026 at 12:48 am
Spend every dollar we have on defense . Luv ya Mike and would luv to have you back but 1 or 2 year deal at sane money. You take plays off like Julio Jones did late in his career. Draft defense, free agency defense. Spend every dollar. All we need in offense is a swing OL or 2 and a backup QB. Defense wins championships.
February 9th, 2026 at 12:55 am
30 catches on 62 targets for 368yds & 37 totals YAC – while creating ZERO separation – while having the drops in a year since his rookie season….Yeah, that sure looks like a guy that should be resigned for $20M+/year.
(You can’t hang your on 1 good week vs ALT & disregard the other games when he was terrible & looked OLD or had 6th consecutive year of missing time with hamstring issues. (Before the collarbone & concussion shut him down in OCT)
I love Mike…But he is WASHED… He is still a 1st ballot HOFer due to the 1K streak & SB ring…But he is WASHED! He is no longer the WR1 he used to be.
At his age & injury risk…He is MAYBE worth 1yr/$7M to return to TB as a WR3-4 type “possession” guy…Just because he needs to retire a Buc, but you have to be nuts to think he deserves anything above that.
You are paying for the player he is today, not the memory of the player he used to be. If someone else wants to buy the smoke his agent is selling, let them…But the Bucs shouldn’t.
I would much rather have the FO sign Kyle Pitts from ALT for $11M+/yr & use him as both TE & WR in sets…Then jump start the future of the next great Buc X WR by drafting Malachi Fields from ND on Day2 of the draft. Get younger, get hungrier, get someone who can create separate & high point catch radius mis-matches.
It’s sad to say, but Mike just isn’t that guy anymore.
February 9th, 2026 at 1:57 am
Let him go and when time is up sign him for 1 day contract and retire him as a buc,build him a statue outside.
And yeah superbowl suck
February 9th, 2026 at 6:27 am
They will absolutely not slap the tag on Evans, which is projected to be $28 million this year. That, of all things, would be an insanely stupid thing to do.
February 9th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Let Mr. Fragile go. Baker gets c slammed for being top tuff and playing b when hurt. Evans is,a wimp that hardly played anymore. Draft a Buckeyes receiver.
February 9th, 2026 at 8:52 am
The Patriots were only in the,Super Bowl because Sean Payton made a terrible decision to pass up 3 points,and tie the game at 13. Then the snow came. God put the Pats in the Super Bowl. Quarterback pkay was,great but Drake gave up a Fumble 6 and that was the difference. Whether lucky or smart Darnold had no turnovers.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Evans will get hurt in pre-season then come back in regular season and get hurt again. So will Godwin. We will be the walking wounded.
February 9th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Agree with Cat. Pitts
February 9th, 2026 at 9:15 am
Give him the ending he will battle for. 3 years is what he’s got left in the tank. He can rough that out and bang still.
February 9th, 2026 at 10:07 am
Im having fun reading Aqualung’s posts pretending he’s truthful. Sure is better than the old ones.
Baker lost his guards the second half of the season.
This team is a few players away on defense and a strong backup on the O-line from being a lot better. The key is either HEALTH or strong backups. It’s a war of attrition.
February 9th, 2026 at 10:46 am
I’ve watched 54 Superbowls over the years. The first half was dominated by defenses on both sides. In the 3rd quarter, Seattle began to crack the Patriots code and then came the turnovers by Maye. Darnold managed the game. Sometimes that is enough.
Peyton Manning did the same thing – manage the game when the Broncos won the Superbowl. Sometimes not making mistakes wins the game. The game of Chess is predicated on that premise. Baltimore won the Superbowl on strength of their defense, despite Trent Dilfer’s lack of contribution.
Mike Evans is a great player, but father time is knocking on his front door. If anyone watched Aaron Rodgers this past year, you could see how age was taking it’s toll on a great QB. Licht needs to make a decision on whether to spend money on an aging veteran who has plateaued or use it to recruit a younger class of receivers either through the draft or free agency.
The Bucs are too far from a Superbowl run. Their immediate needs are in all three phases of their game; An aging defensive line, an offensive line that is too porous to protect Mayfield and special teams that need a complete rebuild. These needs require a lot of money. This is money that Tampa can ill afford to spend on an aging player, regardless of how great he is or may have been. Go Bucs. Go Canes. Everyone be good to each other. GB. Cheers.
February 9th, 2026 at 10:49 am
Love Big Mike and want him back but this team needs to focus it’s money on the defense. Complete overhaul is needed.
February 9th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
Same deal as Godwin.
Make it happen.
J-Mac and Egbuka are on rookie deals.
Keep the 4 Musketeers together.
Evans, Godwin, McMillan and Egbuka.
We just need Mark Andrews at TE.
And we are set.
And 2 beastly young guards.
Look.
Baker is 6-1.
Mauch is 6-6. Heck was 6-8!
If Baker is our franchise QB,
Get guards who are 6-3 and 330.
I don’t want tall guards.
I want thick guards with a low center of gravity.
I love Mauch. But he’s not a natural guard. He was 6-6 and 300 his rookie year.
Not ideal for a guard.
I want my guards to get low and move defensive tackles.
I also don’t want guards over 6-5. They block Bakers vision!
February 9th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Defense first, ,offense 2nd
February 9th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
“Get guards who are 6-3 and 330.”
Offensive linemen don’t play standing straight up. They lose 6-12 inches in knee bend when pass blocking. It’s the guys on the other side of the line, rushing the QB, that Baker has to worry about. We can’t control their height, their arm length or how high they can jump.