Mike Evans’ Best Fit
February 19th, 2026
Home cooking.
Joe feels panic in the air from Bucs fans. Joe doesn’t think there is any reason to wig out.
Sure, when folks hear that Mike Evans plans to sniff around other good teams to decide where he will play football this fall, that gets fans nervous.
Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, is a known fearmonger, and he shared Evans’ plans this week.
The only worry Joe has with Evans possibly leaving is that Evans might think the defensive meltdown against Atlanta that basically cost the Bucs a playoff berth will be the norm in 2026.
In other words, Joe guesses Todd Bowles is going to have to sell Evans that Bowles will make the defense better.
Because of this week’s news that Evans is expected to shop around, there are all kinds of stories about his best landing spot. Karl Rasmussen of SI.com says that is in Tampa.
Just because Evans is going to explore his options in free agency doesn’t mean his departure is inevitable. Leaving the organization where he’s spent his entire career will be a difficult decision, and if he doesn’t receive a substantial offer in free agency he could very well opt to return to Tampa Bay in 2026.
The Buccaneers have been to the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, missing out in 2025 for the first time since 2019. Although the team underperformed last year, the playoffs are very much in reach for Tampa Bay. The team has strong pieces in place, with a solid offensive line and one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, foundations not every team can offer to the 32-year-old this offseason.
Yeah, Joe doesn’t see Evans to a team with no recent history of making the playoffs. If he’s going anywhere, it is likely to a place that has a veteran stud quarterback (Chiefs, Bills) or a team close to his home in the Houston area that has a ferocious defense, an OK young quarterback and a dire need for a receiver (Texans).
Evans might just be better off where he started. Right here with the Bucs.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:06 am
Jerry Rice didn’t end with the 49ers either so I’m fine with whatever he decides.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:15 am
The Chiefs have as many holes as the Bucs, if not more. They are also in a very tough division. The Bills organization is a mess and nobody knows if Brady can be a head coach. Both teams play in crappy weather.
I’m excited about the offense going back to a McVay style and getting guys like Cody back. Bake and ME13 will feast with Mike having a huge year, maybe 1300 yards. Mike’s family loves the Tampa area, and their charity is important to them. Mike stays.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Every team could use Mike Evans but Houston doesn’t really have a WR need. They have an OL need.
Houston just invested draft picks in the WR position. Not sure what Christian Kirk’s contract is, but they like Jayden Higgins, have Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel.
Again, Evans would obviously be better than all those guys not named Collins at this point of their careers but he would be a luxury. With that D, if I am a Houston fan, I want the money spent on the OL and a RB to pair with Marks.
Chiefs are in a similar boat. They just opened up space by restructuring Mahomes, they need OL help and an RB.
Chargers, Seahawks and Bills (if he’s on board with the weather) would be the 3 contending teams I would circle if I was Mike. Possibly the Pats. If Chargers have the space, and that OL gets back to health… with McDaniels, Evans would open a lot of space for Ladd and co.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Thinking Mike Evans cares about stats even now huh. Yea offense is important but if you haven’t figured out defense matters then you’re just delusional. Bucs aren’t serious I wouldn’t mind seeing him go get a championship
February 19th, 2026 at 9:24 am
If this goes to the tag deadline, tag him. Then work out the 2-3 year deal.
I’m assuming this “explore” discussion is simply to set the salary.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:27 am
ME13 is slowing down, he dropped balls he should caught last season, and he has hamstring injuries that keep him out of games. It has happened a lot in past seasons. If he is willing to sign for a reasonable price than yes, but the Bucs shouldn’t get in a bidding war. The focus needs to on free agents to help the pathetic defense.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Its ok if he leaves, hes had a great career with the Bucs and won a chip. With or without him the Bucs aren’t doing anything meaningful this upcoming except getting a top 10 pick. If he wants to win another chip soon, he’ll sign elsewhere.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:33 am
He’s is going to want a big payday in the 20 million range, no doubt. Signing Mike means we wouldn’t be able to sign Maxx Crosby. Don’t have the cap space for both. Can we really afford to spend the big bucks on ME13 with Godwin’s salary ? Just wondering.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:40 am
CJ Stroud isn’t OK – he absolutely 100% STINKS, will not get a contract extension with Houston you can take that to the bank. All that hufffing about him and Bryce Young. Well welll, how the turns have tabled….
Not like that little short stack with the weak arm will ever be a top 15 quarterback but he doesnt crap down his leg like Stroud
February 19th, 2026 at 9:42 am
I dont see anyone paying a 32 year old reciever coming off 2 injury plagued seasons big money. Mike is gonna choose what’s best for him as far as winning. I dont see mike playing in cold buffalo. Plus the bils always lose in the playoffs abd Mahomes lamar burrow should all.be back in the playoffs. Maybe Houston. But nfc is the easiest path to another ring and bucs were 6-2…we HAD and HAVE the pieces in place until we fell apart. So some tweaking and better COACHING can go along way. I see a very aggressive off season coming for Tampa, rest of division is catching up to us
February 19th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Bills are going to a dome this year, JimBob.
February 19th, 2026 at 9:45 am
HOU is 1 WR and 1 OL away from being true SB contenders….
Mike will be a Texan
GO BUCS!!!!
February 19th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Wherever he goes, lots of respect for Mike
February 19th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Evans might stay in Tampa but it would have nothing to do with whether the Bucs have a shot at a SB – the Bucs won’t be sniffing the NFC title game for at least another decade – that’s how bad it is – Houston, among other teams, has a much better chance for glory – BUT if the money is right, Evans will stay in TB for reasons such as liking his teammates, being comfortable with his routine in Tampa, the respect and adulation he has already earned here, the romance of staying with one team for a career, among others – Evans is very quirky and individualistic, so it’s a mystery what he may decide – but he won’t be staying in TB in hopes of getting another ring
February 19th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Crosby not coming ! You’ll get your wish when mike leaves cya!
February 19th, 2026 at 9:57 am
imo depends on how much Mike wants another Super Bowl ring.
Gotta face facts, Bucs aren’t in the Super Bowl conversation.
Don’t rule out any team with a top 5 defense.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:01 am
He is not going anywhere.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Yes, I mentioned in a prior blog. I said ME is playing 2026, believe it. Second, If I am him I am asking Bowles and Licht how are they addressing the defense. We now see this article saying the same thing. M E loves it here , bur also wants to win. If Bowles and Licht convince him the defense is a huge!!! priority, he stays, if not convinved he leaves, That simple!!!. Just is
February 19th, 2026 at 10:10 am
You also have to consider the non-football-related items on Mike’s ‘pros and cons’ list of “Do I Play Elsewhere” list. Cons: I Have to uproot family who have established themselves in the Tampa Bay community. I have to pull kids out of school and away from friends and send them to a new school. My Mike Evan’s Family Foundation is in Tampa. I will not be able to finish my career as a life-long Buc.
Only two things or consequence are on the ‘pro’ side of the list: I probably have a greater likelihood of playing on a SB team if I sign elsewere. I can probably make more money elsewhere.
I don’t think it’s that tough of a decision to stay put. His agent is just trying to jack up his asking price.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Joe, Evans best fit is with Jacksonville, why don’t you ever mention them as a team he’d be interested in? He’s not going to a cold climate, and he isn’t going to a team, Houston, that plays on turf. Coen who Mike has had success with, is closer to a SB than the Bucs. He could put that team over the top.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Nobody should panic. There is a reason why we drafted Egbuka in the first round last year. If ME13 wants to leave…hasta la vista.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:27 am
Can Evans give any team at least 15 games? Starting to doubt it. Maybe 12-13, so that should be taken into consideration. Bucs always has the franchise tag, but is he worth that much?
Teams like the Chiefs are already making moves, they just recently restructured Mahomes contract that created 43M in cap room. What has Jason Licht done? Probably viewed his draft board in the 6th round and below. Teams are talking big moves and I hear nothing but and bunch of buts and whys this team is stuck.
The big decisions are hanging on too guys long in the tooth and other teams are planning on bringing in top rank players.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:29 am
Mike can go to so many teams and push them over the hump except this team that needs two or three years of building up the defense and getting a new hc and DC away from anything.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Being a family first type of person, if ME13 choose to play elsewhere it will be Houston! In December, the possibility of extreme weather conditions plus overall climate would rule out KC and Buffalo.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:55 am
Well that explains a lot. One of the Glazers is buying a Cricket team for around $1.8 billion. So while we were trying to understand how Bowles survived the purge the answer is likely, yet again, across the pond.
It probably went something like this – Todd, we were going to fire you but instead we’ll give you a shot at restoring your reputation, but you’re gonna fire almost everyone and have to do it for a song.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:55 am
‘Joe feels panic in the air from Bucs fans.’
very little to do with ME13 and mostly because the owners kept IBS and embrace mediocrity!!!
February 19th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Think of it this way…If you had an inept boss where you work, would you stay there if you had a chance to work somewhere better and you had better chances of success? Why would Mike Evans stay with the Bucs after they kept Bowles as their HC? There’s a high probability he leaves, IMHO.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Your right on every count @BakerFan. Other teams are proactively preparing for FA. Licht is still getting ready to get ready. Contracts should already have been restructured on Wirfs, Goedeke, and others to free up cap room for help on defense. Retaining Mike is a luxury only attainable at the right price. NFL is a young man’s game. Being sentimental gets you beat most of the time. Licht will be caught flat-footed when FA starts and will lose out on the prime guys from not getting off his butt restructuring now. We fail because we intend to fail. Why else would Bowles have a 3 year extension in his pocket.
February 19th, 2026 at 10:58 am
You’re
February 19th, 2026 at 11:05 am
Todd Bowles selling anyone anything on this defense is a joke
February 19th, 2026 at 11:07 am
“and one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield”…..
February 19th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Fboi813 – Houston has someone named Nick Collins, perhaps you’ve heard of him. Or maybe not – they have a number one receiver, a very good one. They are fine there. And perhaps watch Chase daniels film breakdown on that clown show performance that Houston put up in New England. Houston is a quarterback away. Stroud is taking them nowhere
February 19th, 2026 at 11:44 am
“Bills are going to a dome this year, JimBob.”
Patrickbucs – No, they are not. It’s partially covered. The seats are covered, but the field is open. It’s supposedly designed to reduce the wind.
Source: I live in Buffalo and constantly hear, “I can’t believe they didn’t spend the extra money to make it a dome.”