The Mike Evans Contract Watch
July 14th, 2025
Joe is stunned that so many fans think about Bucs priorities in free agency next season and pop names like Luke Goedeke and Zyon McCollum before mentioning the legend in the room.
NFL writer and Hall of Fame selector Dan Pompei, of the pay-per-view site TheAthletic.com, isn’t in that camp.
In a contract-worth-watching feature at his website, Pompei adeptly filtered the noise and named Evans as the Bucs’ top contract to monitor.
Evans is in the final year of a two-year, $41 million deal. The last time he was in this position, it was apparent he and his agent were getting impatient with the Bucs. Now? He will be 32 soon but hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. GM Jason Licht’s first draft pick in Tampa remains one of the Bucs’ greatest players ever and a leader who is highly respected in the locker room and community. The Bucs won’t want to lose him, but the team also recently signed Chris Godwin to a contract extension and used a first-round pick on Emeka Egbuka. Retaining Evans, especially at a similar price, may be difficult.
Two years ago Evans was unahappy in July of 2023 because he didn’t have a contract extension in his pocket. Now, he’s cool with it, so he told Joe last month. But how long will that last and how much cash will Evans want to stay in Tampa next season?
Sure, he could retire, but productive NFL players rarely quit at 32 years old. And Joe fully expects Evans to have a good season.
Joe doesn’t want to think of the Bucs offense without Evans and all the attention he draws from defenses.
July 14th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
I am 99.99% confident that M1k3 will be a Buc for life. Not worried.
July 14th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Great article about the Hall’s Selection Process. Ira, on the selection committee, is our guy to help move it along for Mike. We fans can write letters. Mike meets the criteria. The Bucs are definitely keeping him too.
July 14th, 2025 at 3:17 pm
Mikey won’t be going anywhere. Jason won’t let him.
July 14th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
even if he loses his speed he will still be a deadly endzone target
July 14th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
I think it’s time to move on how old is Mike Evans? If he’s 33 or 34 it’s time to move on.
July 14th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Jerry Rice was amazing until he was like in his 40s. A little early to close the book on Mike who can still play at a very high level.
July 14th, 2025 at 3:44 pm
He is not going Anywhere to end his career. This is a True Tampa for Life Buc!
July 14th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
His game is not built on speed and quickness. As he gets older those are the first things to go. He will be fine for another 3-4 years with his size and athleticism even if his speed goes away a little.
July 14th, 2025 at 4:26 pm
Lol Says:
I am 99.99% confident that M1k3 will be a Buc for life. Not worried.
^^^^^^^^
1000% agree with your 99.99% confidence.
1) Licht isn’t going to let his very first draft pick break records in a different jersey,
2) Mike’s wife told us two years ago their family is staying in Tampa.
Mike are Bucs for life. I expect the LVD-esque 1 year at a time extensions moving forward.
July 14th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
I’m thinking he’s going to do one year deals after every season until he retires just like Rondé. If he plays in ‘26 that would be his 13th season. Were he to get 1000 yards the next two seasons and maybe another SB appearance that would seem like a good time to hang’em up. He’s the second greatest Buc ever right after Mr. Derrick Brooks IMO.
GO BUCS
July 14th, 2025 at 5:03 pm
As the great Derrick Brooks once said if they want you, they’ll find a way to keep you
July 14th, 2025 at 5:11 pm
Ronde Barber (as reported by Joe) said the Bucs #1 pick in this year’s draft was due to an undisclosed situation with one of the current receivers. Most of us thought it was because of Godwin’s injury, which makes sense.
But here is an alternative idea: what if Mike Evans told the Bucs this was his last season?
If this was the case, wouldn’t the Bucs draft Mike’s successor while still having him around to mentor and show what being a NFL player is like?
Just a thought….
July 14th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
lol zyon who?
July 14th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
ME obviously does not need the money. He’ll be most interested in the next situation for which he signs up.
Which team offers him a better QB than Baker, a better OL, better offensive teammates?
He and Jason obviously know each other well and they’ll work something out.
July 14th, 2025 at 6:22 pm
I doubt Mike is concerned. He knows he’s a Buc as long as he wants to be. “Buc for life” as Jason said. End of story.
The way Brooks was shown the door still makes me wanna puke. JL would NEVER have done that, so I’m not worried for a second.
Anyone who wants to “move on” can walk the MF-ing plank.
July 14th, 2025 at 7:11 pm
There is no way Evans is retiring soon when he is on he cusp of greatness. Antonio Brown and Julio Jones are still above him and they may not make the HOF. Tyreek Hill and Davante adam’s are ahead of him according to HOF monitor. Up in coming are Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson. Evans ticket to HOF is the Larry Fitzgerald route, longevity and consistency. 12 years won’t cut it. He needs 14 years and maybe 15 years to make sure. So maybe 3 thousand more yards and 30 Tds. Remember the 17 game and likely 18 game seasons is going to result in receiving records being broken.
July 14th, 2025 at 7:14 pm
With the extra games. Being top 10 in receiving and TDs isn’t good enough. The current WRs trying for the HF need to aim for top 5.
July 14th, 2025 at 7:20 pm
Oneilbuc…he’s playing at a high level even at his age. So shut up!
July 14th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
Baker is gonna get paid. We know that. Let’s see what happens this year with Godwin. Mike will get his.
July 14th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
After this contract expires, Evans likely gets 1 year contracts the rest of the way until he retires – just like Lavonte David has the last 3 years…
#13 is a Buccaneer for life though – for as long as he wants to play and is still productive – Licht will make sure of that!
July 14th, 2025 at 10:40 pm
There is a Buc from whom it’s time to move on. He’s not a player. 3 guesses who it is.
July 14th, 2025 at 11:27 pm
Sorry guys, but just thinking out loud, and believe me, I truly hope Im wrong…but at his age and injury history, this might be it. I just want to see him set the new consecutive 1000yd record. And this is another reason I wanted us to go WR high this past draft. But hey, if he comes out ballin and stays healthy all year, heck yeah, keep him on if he wants.
July 15th, 2025 at 4:21 am
stpetebucsfan – You are right. Money isn’t the object for Mike. He and Baker showed us that last season with their contracts. Deserving of much more, and stayed on. True Bucs forever.