Matthew Berry: Chatter Last Week In Indianapolis Has Mike Evans Gone
March 3rd, 2026
“Baker, you played in Cleveland. What’s it like scraping ice off your windshield every day? Do they sell ice scrapers up north?”
This may be the first time that Joe has linked to Matthew Berry of NBC. He’s a fantasy guy and “this Joe” isn’t.
Joe’s not anti-fantasy at all, it’s just that Joe’s idea of fantasy has nothing to do with football and everything to do with a comely lass and a secluded tropical island.
Berry puts out a post-combine rumors column of what he hears in the bars, at the eateries, the coffee shops and at the NFL beehive that is the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. He talks to the many, many suits, scouts and coaches that are seen all over the downtown hub of Indiana’s capital city.
Berry makes it a point to let everyone know he is not a journalist, so he does not try to vet these rumors. One rumor Berry heard more than once is about Bucs soon-to-be free agent Mike Evans.
24. Speaking of Mike Evans, I truly believe he’ll be in a new uniform next year. The Buccaneers love him, but given the commitment they made to Chris Godwin last year and a deep young WR room, Tampa Bay is okay letting him go elsewhere. I heard Buffalo as a potential landing spot for Evans and possibly Philly if the Eagles decide to move A.J. Brown.
Berry also noted that while the Bills love Evans, they may not have the spare change to pay Evans because Buffalo is up against it with the salary cap.
Joe doesn’t know about Berry’s choice of words, “Tampa Bay is OK letting him go elsewhere.” Joe thinks the Bucs would be shook and heartbroken to lose Evans. Perhaps Berry meant to type that the Bucs’ roster is prepared if Evans leaves? Joe agrees with that — if that’s what Berry meant.
Joe never heard an Evans-to-Buffalo rumor at the Combine last week. (Joe sat two tables from Berry on Radio Row) But Joe can easily see how someone could connect the dots.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:06 am
Baker does better with nkobody recievers. By by obj wan kenobi
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:09 am
Houston would be the only place that ME would even remotely enjoy playing as much as Tampa and the Texans would have to do some major finance wizardry to accomplish that. ME13 is staying in Tampa where he will finish his career.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:28 am
The Bucs made their bed when they kept their 3 and 28 first down giving up wonky coach.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:31 am
Sounds like a guy who talked to a couple drunk dudes at the bars and is total speculation in the drunks part.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:36 am
The Buffalo option is a joke. I thought he would want to leave to win another Super Bowl? It will never happen on that Snakebit Team/Town. If this is all about the $$ and he wants to be a Greedy Pig-let him go. Has he not made enough $ 153 million in his career already and won a SB here? If he leaves, he will prove he is a Phony after all. Go Bucs!!
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:39 am
Mike may test the waters of free agency but I just don’t see him leaving the Bucs. Taking such an offer would mean either uprooting his wife and young children who’ve lived in Tampa their entire lives during Mike’s professional career or Mike commutes weekly. I just don’t see that scenario as something that Mike would want to deal with towards the end of his career. Sure the money may be amazing, but the quality of life would erode quickly. I think he hears offers but stays in Tampa.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:46 am
Smart money says ME13 will be in Tampa or Houston. Those hammy’s won’t like the Buffalo winters.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:50 am
@Marky Mark
Oh yeah how did it work out with nobody WR’s in 2024 when his top option was Sterling Shepherd? They went on an 0-3 stretch. Don’t disrespect Mike like that by comparing him to a diva. Mike has been a QB friendly WR his whole career
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:55 am
There were only two people in Indy that have talked to Mike: Jason Licht and ME13’s agent. Berry heard the stuff the agent is spouting.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
Not the Bills–miserable place, new HC, new OC. KC? They won SIX games last year, Mahomes won’t start practicing until August –team is on the decline after picking near last for the last decade. Houston? Maybe but their QB really isn’t a good passer
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
Aahh yes, our daily dose of ‘Mike’s gone; no he’s not’.
Nice touch Joe bringing the fantasy guys into it. Of course, some of us would argue it’s ALL FANTASY, until Mike actually signs someplace.
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:05 am
Bets anyone?
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:16 am
Extending Godwin was among one of the dumbest extentions Licht has done. Of course Mike is gone and this offense will struggle. Mike made Baker’s accuracy manageable at times with his catch radius and once Mike leaves that completion % will get worse. JMac, EE and CG all all the same types of WR. Lol….its gonna be a long season.
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:40 am
Comely lass.
I F’ing love this. You are Old School, Joe!
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:46 am
Mike deserves a chance to chase a ring and it’s not happening here. 4th coordinator in how many years with multiple scheme changes. A terrible defense with holes everywhere. Mike was clearly disgusted with the teams discipline, efforts and coaching after he worked so hard to return from injury.
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:52 am
its HOU or 813 lol
unfortunately, i think mike heads home to HOU
GO BUCS!!!!
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:52 am
Bye. The old geezer can go.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:02 am
Evans will want to play with a team that can win and a QB he believes he’ll vibe with. I could see Allen but Hurts is basically Mayfield but with a high degree of arrogance and pettiness. There’s been constant rumors of Hurts being a prick in the locker room similar to Wentz. Dude drinks waaay too much of his own koolaid since winning a SB.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:05 am
JL made 2 huge mistakes last year: signing Zion to a huge extension and resigning Godwin to a massive contract when he was coming off a major injury. We have too much money tied up in our wide receivers. We’re stuck with Godwin for 2026 and hopefully he’ll return to his Pro Bowl form but if he doesn’t they can let him walk in 2027. As for Mike, I would love to keep him but with all the holes on defense I don’t see how we can pull it off. Mike and Chris are getting older and are breaking down. They combined for 600 yards and 5 TDs last season at a combined salary of $45 million. Hard to justify that.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:24 am
I speak for all of us when I say nobody wants Mike to leave…. but there is a lot of talent in the WR room Egbuka, Godwin, Johnson. Baker will make it work with anyone. If letting go of mike means a far improved defense by all means, focus on the defense.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:25 am
I’m ok with ME13 leaving, the Bucs have a deep WR roster. Bucs need to take the money and spend it on Defense. Besides Mike is getting to the point where he misses games due to injuries. I wish him the best….
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:45 am
I think one of the joes won’t be ok with it but I think the bucs see the writing on the wall his age and the holes and depth they need to fill says all of what they will do they play it up for fans(joe) but they are ok moving on like all franchises do eventually with aging stars.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:47 am
Rumors were after the season that Mike already has two feet out the door.
March 3rd, 2026 at 11:05 am
Im not sure I understand the argument made that Mike should leave so the Bucs can spend that money on defense. What money?? Mike leaving doesn’t free up tons of money, in fact we will still be paying some 13mil plus on Mike if he goes.
Also, Houston isnt happening. I get the home town angle, but the have Niko and just drafted 2 WRs, one of which is a Evans clone and much younger and cheaper. Plus the need to spend money to protect their QB and need a running back. Dont see them going after Evans.
March 3rd, 2026 at 11:14 am
Mike’s not going no where..legacy and carved out role.
Go somewhere else and fight for respect learn a new city learn new environment kids in new school change everything.
No fl state tax protection on his money……
All he’s doing is testing the market to make sure he’s close to the price he wants
March 3rd, 2026 at 11:17 am
“Im not sure I understand the argument made that Mike should leave so the Bucs can spend that money on defense. What money?? Mike leaving doesn’t free up tons of money, in fact we will still be paying some 13mil plus on Mike if he goes.”
Letting Chris go would cause a huge dead cap hit as well, this is why the team has professionals and don’t move based on fan logic, cause the team wouldn’t exist or break even if they did.
March 3rd, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Jacksonville.
March 3rd, 2026 at 12:17 pm
You’re so right Warren, and it’s even better that the team doesn’t listen to your draft logic? “no need to draft Jeremiyah Love, we have Sean Tucker.” All good, despite many actual personel people viewing him as the best overall player in the draft NO BIG DEAL OR ANYTHING. Anyway, we can draft these nobodies in round 6 that are just as good! right Warren? You truly have it all figured out. Nevermind that 9 of the 10 1000 yard rushers were drafted in the first or second round. Your “fan Logic” is as hilarious as ive seen… Neither here nor there considering he will likely be a top 5 pick now, just pointing out the irony of your above comment. You make me laugh
March 3rd, 2026 at 12:34 pm
1) Tampa 2) Chargers 3) Jacksonville 4 ) Bills
Houston has a great D but has to overcome Stroud throwing wherever stroud throws
March 3rd, 2026 at 12:35 pm
GofortheBrain
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
February 11th, 2026 at 11:13 am
“Jeremiah love is ungodly fast a state champion sprinter and the fastest player in college football.”
Barion Brown runs a 4.28 and was clocked at 22mph like 2 years ago at Kentucky and is now at LSU lol
Love runs a 4.4 and was clocked 21.8 mph, and even we drafted him he’d be the 2nd fastest RB on the team behind Sean Tucker. What you see as speed, is the same phenomena that makes 30mph seem fast, in a parking lot.
So much for being the fastest player in college football, but I get it gross embellishment to garnish an otherwise false statement in effort to make it sound convincing or as if you know what your’re talking about.
Also, drafting an RB 15th overall would be stupid, considering the highest Licht has ever drafted an RB was 7 years ago at 38th overall.
Like I said in my initial comment, Mike Washinton Jr is right there day 2 and has 4.4 speed and is a dual threat back in the same way Price is, BUT Washington doesn’t have a rebuilt achilles tendon. That would fall under the “risk assessment” portion of player eval.
Maybe, a name change is in order? Instead of the face, maybe go for the brain?
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
February 11th, 2026 at 11:21 am
To add, there’s been about 2,500 players drafted since 2015, right?
Since then to right now, only 14 of those 2,500 players were RBs drafted on day 1.
For every Saquon Barkley, there’s a Trent Richardson & Rashard Penny.
Also, if you can’t find gems in the bargain bin, what are you even doing looking at the draft? You only get 1 first rounder, takes losing to get a 2nd and there’s 4 teams that don’t have a 1st rounder at all this upcoming draft. Don’t say stupid stuff just to spite me lol”
For the record, this is what I said to you.
I see you still got your panties in a bunch about it, and that’s cool if that’s your thing to be hung up on.
Still thinking drafting an RB 15th overall would be stupid, but if stupid is your thing than have at it.
March 3rd, 2026 at 12:42 pm
“Neither here nor there considering he will likely be a top 5 pick now, just pointing out the irony of your above comment. You make me laugh”
“Letting Chris go would cause a huge dead cap hit as well”
Is a factual statement you eediot
March 3rd, 2026 at 12:49 pm
SALARY CAP & CONTENDER
The best teams with cap space are:
Chargers, Seahawks, Rams, Colts, Patriots
No – Seahawks and Rams don’t need a WR
Yes – Chargers, Colts, Patriots do need a WR
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:08 pm
If it’s true we’ll take a $13 mil salary cap hit whether Mike stays or not, then it makes sense to go ahead and sign him, even if it’s for $20 million a year. Joe can you confirm if that’s true?
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:25 pm
Bobby. Oh you mean Baker who does a lot of talking but for him it’s call mosey but he his mosey don’t get or win championships. Hurts is a Superbowl winning quarterback and made it to 2 Conference championship and won both of them and Baker Mayfield is on his 4th team and has never gotten to a NFC Championship or AFC championship and he’s choked in every big game with his picks. Lol 🤣🤣
March 3rd, 2026 at 1:55 pm
If he goes he goes.
Still going to be in the Hall plus ROH.
March 3rd, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Let him go 🤷🏾♂️ Mike can’t stay healthy enough to help a team. I love him, my favorite buc of all time. But if we let BROOKS SAPP LYNCH go why not MIKE. We will be aight. What we need is a QB and a damn DEFENSE n for the O-Line to stay healthy. This team is filled with so many dummy’s just being 💯 so many players are lost.
March 3rd, 2026 at 5:45 pm
As someone who has played fantasy football since 1999, you really should try it Joe. It’s awesome! Also, I’m up over 12 grand lifetime playing it. It’s a heckuva lot of fun.
RE-SIGN MIKE OR FRANCHISE HIM, DO NOT LET HIM GO UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
March 4th, 2026 at 6:09 am
Keep M1K3, let are QB go…………
March 4th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Mike’s legacy is already secured as the best player in Bucs history
Mike is already a hall of fame
Mike is 33 so he’s not motivated by money
Licht will not pay 27 million to tag Mike
Mike wants to play for a contender and we are not a contender no matter who we sign in free agency and draft just like last year
As I said when the season ended Mike is out of here if he finds the right team and situation where he can be the #1 receiver like Devante Adams
March 4th, 2026 at 11:26 am
We are absolutely a contender if our O-line stays healthy and we significantly beef up the defense. We are a contender just like pretty much any other team. Re-sign Mike, beef up the defense and think of this as a critical year to make a long playoff push since our best players are starting to get old! This is the best time to go for it before we lose them to retirement, declining skills, or injury. Right now we have a bunch of holes but soon we will have a LOT MORE. We have the ability and cap room with some contract wizardry to dramatically improve the team and go for it!
March 4th, 2026 at 11:27 am
Adams is not the Rams number 1 receiver, Puka Nacua is.