Steve Smith Doesn’t Want Mike Evans To Retire
February 15th, 2026
Legendary Bucs receiver Mike Evans turns 33 in August. When legendary Panthers receiver Steve Smith was 33, he had 73 catches for 1,174 yards for the Panthers.
Smith even had another 1,000-yard season in his bone and a 100+ yard game in the playoffs at age 35 with the Ravens.
Speaking on his podcast 89 with Steve Smith Sr., Smith got on the subject of Mike Evans. He made a passing reference to Evans’ regular hamstring issues and co-host James Palmer responded to Smith with almost a shame-on-you tone, ‘You always bring up [Evans’] hamstrings.’
That stopped Smith in his tracks. He got defensive.
The hamstring reference is done in reverence, Smith said. “You know why I bring it up? Because he still gets the damn 1,000 yards” even with the injuries.
“It’s not hate. It’s more of just like saying to understand if he was able to play 17 weeks, he’d probably be averaging 1,500 or 1,200 yards for the last 11 straight years,” Smith said. “I keep bringing that [hamstring issue] up to make sure people understand and respect; Mike Evans is a beast, bro. He’s a flat-out beast, and he does a lot of his work and misses games.”
Smith added that Evans is a player he never wants to see retire, and he went on to highlight how much other Bucs receivers benefit from Evans’ mere presence on the field, especially Emeka Egbuka or Chris Godwin.
“That third or fourth corner [on a defense] is dog doo-doo, and Emeka Egbuka is just going to work [him], and that’s exactly what happened,” Smith said.
Joe sure hopes the Bucs pay Evans what he needs to return in 2026.
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February 15th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
ME has made a career of making mediocre QB’s look good by throwing the ball to him.
Much like Tom Brady made coaches and GM’s look like geniuses in winning games by sheer will.
Belichick was nothing before and after Brady.
Licht was also nothing before and now nothing after Brady.
Bowles isn’t a has been because he never was and never will be.
ME should move on if he wants another ring.
2026 is already over for the Bowles led Bucs.
February 15th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
I hate steve smith.
February 15th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Without Mikey, it’s tough to think about this team.
February 15th, 2026 at 1:29 pm
Evans is working the Bucs for more money.
February 15th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
Mike, if you’re not looking for a ring, come back. Baker will have to throw a ton to overcome a horrible defensive secondary…stretch that hammy!
February 15th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Be a bigger man
February 15th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
I would say retain Mike, but don’t throw the bank at him. It’s hard to imagine giving him a huge contract when the guy just can’t seem to stay healthy for a whole season anymore. We all know he doesn’t want to leave Tampa. This is just b.s. posturing by him and his agent. Give him a fair deal, ’cause no one else is going to give him tol receiver money in the league. I love Mike, and don’t want him to leave, but it’s time to focus on the future if this teams expects to be competitive next year.
February 15th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Surprised Smith didn’t take the opportunity to pop off on how Baker sucks.
February 15th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
15 mil base and 5 mil in full season incentives will get it done. ME13 ain’t going anywhere .
February 15th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
NFL season is getting so long we are approaching a time where more players per team get injured than don’t get injured. It’s a war of attrition and there’s tons of luck involved in not having your starters injured come playoff time…
February 15th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
It is about having a GM that can construct a roster with great depth, and not sure we have that.
February 15th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
ME is one of the greats at his position. If he really thinks he only has another season or two then he should chase a ring with another team. If he is thinking he can go for another 3+ seasons then he should stay and help us get another one.
February 15th, 2026 at 4:01 pm
I don’t care for the goat debates due to different eras and other factors like franchise culture, performance.
But you can make an argument that Evans is the best based on the franchise he played for and QBs he played with before Brady. You may not win the argument but it’s a legit argument.
Rice got 15 seasons with HOF quarterbacks if my math is correct. What if Evan played with tom for 10 seasons?
But he is going to miss a handful of games next year due to age and hamstrings. It’s a given. Have to plan for it.