The Age Question For Mike Evans
February 24th, 2026
So CBS rolled out a couple of receiver stats that don’t require a math degree.
Simply stated, 20 NFL pass catchers had 1,000 or more yards receiving last season, but only 2 were over age 30: Cortland Sutton and Stefon Diggs. In 2024, a total of 24 pass catchers busted the 1,000 yard mark. Only 4 were 30 or older.
Yes, receivers tend to fall off considerably at 30.
That’s less common with legends like Mike Evans, but it still happens to many greats. Future Hall of Fame receiver Tyreek Hill, for example, was atop the NFL world at 29 years old with the Dolphins in 2023 after making his fifth All-Pro team. He’s been a shell of himself since.
Evans turns 33 in August. But he’s a high-mileage 33 with 186 games played through 12 seasons.
Joe wonders how Evans’ age will be a factor in Evans’ salary expectations and the Bucs’ expectations for Evans’ production? DeSean Jackson and Antonio Brown were great NFL receivers and former Bucs who beat back Father Time, but even they were toast by age 33.
Joe suspects Evans, like most players, believes he’s in peak form. He might be. Bucs fans will remember Joey Galloway giving the Bucs three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at age 34, 35 and 36.
The 2026 free agency dinner bell rings on Monday, March 9.
February 24th, 2026 at 11:47 am
ME is a HOF WR and a true Buc. Always will be no matter what.
But just like with LVD, it’s time to move on. The defense is now the main concern.
Let Mike go chase another SB title. He knows he can’t get it under Bowles.
And we can use the cost savings to bolster a Swiss cheese caliber defense in need of an overhaul.
Bowles has created this disaster. Fire Bowles now.
February 24th, 2026 at 11:53 am
ME best player in franchise history but if Bucs get one of the best tight ends in the draft they won’t need Mike Evans. The receiving threat doesn’t have to come from his position. This franchise doesn’t seem to know how to let go of declining players or even mediocre players. We only get rid of busts in this town
February 24th, 2026 at 11:53 am
I’m pretty sure that Joe said ME was in peak form pre-season. Statistics tell you a lot about what will happen in a large sample, but very little (if anything) about an individual outcome.
February 24th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Mike Evans Tampa Bay Legend. If Mike says he’s ready to go, then he’s ready to go.
February 24th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
LynchMob50…….Well said.
February 24th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
How many teams employ 30+ year old WRs as starters?
I assume that correlates to the number of guys going over 1000.
Obviously people decline with age but almost nothing matters more than opportunity.
In hockey terms, there are many NHL 3rd liners that could double their production if given PP time and 1st line minutes with a star player. The gap between a ton of players is razor thin and in many organizations can come down to the right guy liking you and giving you the reps.
February 24th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Ditto Lynchmob50 !!
February 24th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
ME’s name alone makes DC’s revolve their plan around stopping him so that by itself will give the Bucs an advantage. There is no one else the Bucs can bring in that will do that, certainly not at TE. Mikes game is still there so why would you move on from that? This idea that he needs to go to make room for defensive help is nonsense.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Don’t forget Joey Galloway. He was a late career stud.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
I think Mike will be great in 2026, if healthy. I also think he leaves. Why would he stay after the Bucs punted on the 2026 season by keeping Todd Bowles? Will the Bucs even make the playoffs in the easiest division in NFL history over the last few years? Highly doubtful.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
I fully agree with this as well!
February 24th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
I love Mike. Always appreciate his effort and loyalty to the club. The reality is hes an aging star, and our best chance to be competitive is to have him take a team friendly deal (12-15 per year), or move on. We cannot afford two 30+ receivers making over 20m a year. Egbuka and Godwin are the starters and Mike would be an extremely expensive 3rd wide out
February 24th, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Father time does not negotiate. He done. Let him go.
February 24th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
ME has 2 good years in him, my opinion. Initially I was feeling he would be back with Tampa. However, now beginning to think no. I expect NE to come courting and have money and a solid chance to return to the SB. Then there is SF. Presently, my thought he leaves to NE to chase a ring. I am not looking forward to it, but this is the current state of affairs. I mean the Bucs can’t retool this defense this year unless they get really lucky. However, I think the Bucs can make a case for a great offense this year and and an improved defense, with the following year a great defense.
If ME buys that one he will stay, why not. However, like many of us, he may be worried about the current defense and he should be. At his age he has stated he is not returning to a losing situation and unless the Bucs do some solid things in bringing people in that is what he and we will see.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
He’ll stay. He’s a Buc and both sides will work together to get a deal.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
Mike has more than 2 good years left. Most receivers decline as their speed declines. That’s not as much of a factor with Mike. His wingspan and ability to high point the football above everyone else is. That makes him open even when he is not.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
As I mentioned in another thread we win 2/3rds of our games with him and lose 2/3rd of our games without him. That’s a franchise player. Tag him if necessary, but SIGN HIM. Im not convinced people like Grover are Buc fans at all. Seem to be wanting them to lose instead of have a great draft, pick up great free agents, and win the Super Bowl.
That should be the plan.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
LynchMob is spot on.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Why are you people talking about Joey Galloway? Do you know anything about the Bucs? That dude ran like a 4.2 in the 40 they are completely different players. Mike Evans game is not built on speed at all.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
Pewter Power: I guess you don’t remember Mike Evans beating teams deep for long touchdowns. I sure do.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:45 pm
Lynchmob50 have some cheese with your whine 🧀 🍷😭
February 24th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
DeSean Jackson and Antonio Brown were great NFL receivers and former Bucs who beat back Father Time, but even they were toast by age 33.
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First, Brown was still a really good player, he was just insane.
But small guys age a lot quicker than big guys.
Mike is a big guy who has never relied on speed – those guys age really well. Think Larry Fitzgerald, think Terrell Owens, that is more of the mold of Evans, except he’s even bigger than either of them. Additionally, Mike has not slowed down at all – if anything he’s looked faster these last few years compared to when he was younger and heavier. That means Evans is going to age really well – as in ALL TIME GREATS really well.
People talking negative about Evans are your typical low IQ morons who don’t know what they’re watching – probably the same idiots that think Evans is slow and complain about yards of separation because they saw that stat somewhere and they don’t even know what it means.
Lock up Evans for at least 3-years – and I saw 5-years. For the dopes complaining about that, look into how NFL contracts work then get back to me.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
They better not him play for another team. This will certainly be his last year. I do NOT want to root against him.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
Stpetematt Says:
“Mike has more than 2 good years left.”
No way. This year will 100% be his last.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Deshawn Jackson an Antonio brown were punks! They couldn’t hold Mike’s jock!
February 24th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
February 24th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
Stpetematt Says:
“Mike has more than 2 good years left.”
No way. This year will 100% be his last.
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Mike has AT LEAST three more 1000 yards season in him.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Next season he will still have to be accountable, by the opposing defense, weather he wants another season with Bowles, who knows.All you haters out there I hope he goes to Atlanta with penix!
February 24th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
He wasn’t even gonna get a thousand yards this season even if he didn’t get hurt settle down the decline is happening deny it all you want he is good but they have enough good wr on the team that are younger and need to start getting the reps they are the future or not. That money would be better used on the defense and much needed depth at alot of positions you either are serious about making a push or not it’s a long season injuries are inevitable.
February 24th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Spot on Munch on your take on Evans. However, there’s a team out there that will offer a 2 year deal for 20 mil average and it won’t be the Bucs. Hope it’s the Jags. It just makes too much sense that he’d be reunited with Coen. And Lawrence throws a sweet accurate deep ball. As much as I like Baker, his deep ball is nothing to write home about.
February 24th, 2026 at 8:05 pm
How’s he gonna get 1000 yards next 3 years when baker sucks munch?
February 24th, 2026 at 8:53 pm
Steve V. Says:
February 24th, 2026 at 8:05 pm
How’s he gonna get 1000 yards next 3 years when baker sucks munch?
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He got 1000 yards with Mike Glennon throwing him the ball.
That’s what HOF WRs do.
Well assuming Baker is throwing for more than 122 yards a game, anyways.
February 24th, 2026 at 8:57 pm
BradyGronkFan Says:
February 24th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
Spot on Munch on your take on Evans. However, there’s a team out there that will offer a 2 year deal for 20 mil average and it won’t be the Bucs.
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Keep in mind all of the talking comes from Evans agent, and they do this same act each time he’s up for a deal.
$20M is middling WR money anymore – he’ll get more than that. The Bucs will still get him on a hometown discount, we went through all of this two years ago. People forget, or don’t know, that the Rams thought they had a deal signed to get Evans, and basically the Bucs then rolled in and offered him a deal – less money, but probably close once you account for taxes – and Mike signed it.
As for the Jags – they’ll be one of many teams who jump in, but I fully expect the Bucs to do just like they did two years ago, wait and see what the market is, then match it.
February 24th, 2026 at 11:54 pm
Sign him. Hasn’t lost a step. Broke a collarbone. Looked great while doing it too. Only reason his stats were down. Zac gets his playmakers the ball. Sign him and watch him have a career year. Deff would love to but these 🤡 up who want him gone.
February 24th, 2026 at 11:54 pm
You don’t get rid of your best playmaker on offense.