Report: Mike Evans Leaning Toward Leaving Bucs
January 29th, 2026
Leaving?
Color Joe slightly dubious.
We’ve heard this song and dance before. Twice this decade, to be exact.
It seems a dispatch from Mobile, site of the Senior Bowl and a crock pot of all sorts of NFL rumors and innuendo, this from NFL reporter Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, suggests there is a less than 50 percent chance Bucs icon Mike Evans returns to play for the Pewter Pirates.
On the other end is Mike Evans, the 12-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At 31 years of age, Evans has struggled with injury in the past two seasons and played in just eight games last year, catching 30 passes. Those I’ve spoken with over the past week believe it’s less than 50-50 the veteran wideout re-signs with Tampa and that his career with the Buccaneers is likely finished. He’d like to go to a contender and win another title.
Folks in multiple years, egged on by Evans’ agent, have prematurely typed Evans’ Bucs obituary. So Joe’s not biting the bait.
Joe does know Evans badly wants the Bucs to return to being a Super Bowl contender. We all saw how the gutless loss to the Dixie Chicks tore him up (Joe saw it first-hand, standing mere feet from his blowup outside the Bucs locker room).
And Evans has openly said he had a chance to join the Chiefs the last time he was a free agent two years ago and thought it would be cool to play for Andy Reid and catch passes from Pat Mahomes.
There’s also his hometown Texans (Evans lives in suburban Houston), who badly need a receiver, maybe more than the Chiefs. And let’s be real: Both the Chiefs and the Texans are closer to the Super Bowl than the Bucs.
Would it shock “this Joe” if Evans suits up for another team? No. Is Joe believing Evans’ departure is imminent? No.
Joe is guessing a lot will depend on how much of a sales job both new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and quarterback Baker Mayfield pitch to Evans. And Evans is close to Mayfield.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Damn.
Hoping to see #13 in pewter this fall, our best WR in franchise history. I’d be gutted if he leaves in FA, but only want what’s best for him, a standup dude, first ballot HoF IMHO. Love you, Mike, hoping you’re a Buccaneer for the entirety of your storied career.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:56 am
He is gone imo, when you hear the whispers it’s true unless the drop a big bag he is gone.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Of course I hope Mr. Evans retires as a Buccaneer. But…the Texans would make a lot of sense.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Joe literally gave examples of the opposite. LOL clown reading ability.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Yep I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up in Kansas City or the Patriots. I mean you can’t really blame him. This team is a damn disaster right now. The fans know it and the players know it. The only damn people that don’t seem to get it is the owners.
January 29th, 2026 at 11:59 am
This one is tough. Mike deserves to be on a contender- he’s earned it. And we’re not a serious one with our coaching and D. So, I can see why he’d consider it. But, from the Buc’s perspective, do we pay big money if he can’t be on the field?
January 29th, 2026 at 11:59 am
The man wants a QB that doesn’t get him nearly killed with high passes like Baker. And I don’t fault him
January 29th, 2026 at 12:02 pm
I will ALWAYS be a fan of Mike Evans. I wouldn’t blame him at all if wanted to play for another team, with the Bucs punting on the 2026 season by keeping Bowles and his crappy defense.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
BucsFan252 Says:
January 29th, 2026 at 11:59 am
The man wants a QB that doesn’t get him nearly killed with high passes like Baker. And I don’t fault him
^^^^^^^^
Ah, Rod Munch has a burner account.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Yes, hate hearing the rumors, but don’t see Evan’s putting that out there. Maybe his agent to gauge interest so yeah that could be. I don’t know that the Texans or Chiefs are any closer to a SB. Texas has a qb issue. The Chiefd have a few big issues. The Rams, Patriots, S F Denver all come to mind if he wants a contender.
However, if healthy the Bucs with Zac Robinson have a solid chance. Yes the defense has to many needs to be exceptional next year. However, a few good players may help make them a lot better. If the offense can put up a lot of points next year the Bucs have a shot. I mean at the end 30 teams will not get there so most teams are a gamble right!. I think finishing his career here means something and his family is set here. I mean face it he could have easily left last time, but aforementioned things helped keep him here.
So unless totally frustrated with Bowles I think he may stay . Oh yes pay the man right!
January 29th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
who could blame him? I knew it when he yelled at bowles on the sideline- tag him and trade him for a proven qb killer- …love you Mike but you should go to a contender and we have a couple WR’s already
January 29th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Mike has earned the right to do what he and his family want to do, and I wish nothing but the best for him. With the Bucs: his family will likely be happiest, he knows Baker well, and he has intel on Zac from Baker. But Mike won’t win a SB with the Bucs in the next two years – no matter who’s coaching.
Growing up in Galveston and being an Aggie, he could go to the Texans but CJ Stroud had only one good year and Nico Collins is #1. I don’t see Mike going there.
I could see Mike going to a SB contender or maybe even JAX with Coen. Ultimately, family is important to Mike and I think he will stay with the Bucs. Stay home Mike!
January 29th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
ME13 will be back in 2026. Count on it.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
Let him go and put that money else where. He’s injury prone as can be. As good as he is when he’s healthy just put money else or franchise tag him
January 29th, 2026 at 12:16 pm
There is no way Evans plays for another team.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
I’m going to call it, and say it won’t work-out for Mikey if he leaves us, and yes, he’ll regret it. Lets not forget either that some of your better teams play in crap climates.
Are there teams with better chances of winning a SB out there, sure, but to me, it’s so risky uproot and play the ring chasing game unless some team comes along and says we’re going all in and mortgaging the future for a chance, i.e. the Chiefs. That’s the only team I’d trust.
Either way, I’m ok, and I wish Mike the best if he leaves. Robinson and Baker can game plan without him and the offense will no longer go through Mike. We might see that money he was going to get paid, distributed to 2 to 3 other potential play makers.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Chad Says:
“Let him go and put that money else where. He’s injury prone as can be. As good as he is when he’s healthy just put money else or franchise tag him.”
You are aware Franchising him would cost more than giving him a 1 year deal?
January 29th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
Don’t want him to leave, but don’t want the QB forcing the ball to him because he needs targets either. There are quite a few weapons on this teams so hopefully the new OC spreads the ball around accordingly and not just looking to fill stats.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
Look at it this way you see teams feeding thier number 1 receiver no matter what and you see a staff sometimes erase Mike from the game by not even targeting him for an entire half! I wouldn’t be surprised if he had the what if thoughts in his head!
January 29th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Gonna go to Buffalo. Don’t blame him for leaving.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:28 pm
Those losses last year hit evens and LVD the hardest. Evans doesn’t have to haggle, he lost the chance to get Jerry rice record but the legacy is set around the league and in the organization, Hall of fame is status. He got injured last year and this is almost the end and after all the money he’s made he’s haggling for a few more million instead of another championship? This is the first time he missed the playoffs in 5 years. These men have businesses and investments they aren’t just living off nfl salaries.
3rd and 28 lol Bucs are not a contender it doesn’t matter what free agents and draft picks we hit on because Bowles is the coach.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
He will stay. We went through this the last time his contract was up.
How soon you forget….
January 29th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
His legacy as a buccaneer is set. Let the man chase a ring for a few years and come back to retire.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:34 pm
He’s earned the right to do whatever he wants. However if he leaves then that suggests he believes Tampa isn’t a contender.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
QB situation in Houston is horrific
January 29th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
Tampa isn’t a contender. Not even close to the class of real playoff teams. If he leaves I would like to see him in KC.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
He must go. Bucs too nostalgic. We need to learn how to move on from players and sign good free agents, look at the Pats and Seahawks.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
Getting the rumor out is the smart move by Evans. The Bucs will have to pony up if they want to keep him.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
If he wants to contend for another SB title, he needs to go to a new team.
Mike is smart enough to know that Bowles is a fraud and unqualified to be a HC.
While it would suck to lose such a huge asset, I’d be very happy for him and would root for him to win it all.
And it would really expose both Baker and Bowles as charlatans.
Johnny Menzel was great until he didn’t have Evans. Baker would look toothless without Mike.
Bowles demise likely comes sooner with Evans to lean on. That would instantly improve the franchise to cut bait with Toad Bowels.
3rd and 28
January 29th, 2026 at 12:54 pm
He should take Chris Godwin, Lavonte David, Vita Vea with him
January 29th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
#13 will spend his 13th season with TB and hit 1K yards. Then hang it up. He’s not uprooting his family for one year somewhere. He loves Tampa and Tampa loves him.
January 29th, 2026 at 12:57 pm
Whether chasing rings or staying pat, I doubt any team wants to pay a soon to be 32 yr old WR who has missed 11 games the last 2 seasons top dollar. Personally, I think he’s amazing and would love to see him stay, but this team has needs, including breaking the piggy bank for a top edge fa. I fully understand him wanting to chase another ring and payday, but let’s be realistic of his value in consideration of our WR stable and other team needs. Nobody wants to watch $26 million sitting on the bench injured for 8 weeks while the skills begin to deteriorate….$18 mil, sure, but he shouldn’t be considered in the franchise tag pay bracket
January 29th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Glad to see many opinions and expert insight from (cough) “fans” of the Bucs. I’ll stick with my Magic 8 Bal … “ask again later” …
January 29th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
We all want Mike to stay but why? Loyalty. Because he’s a great Buccaneer. But as a business decision, he’s not the asset he was, not even close.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:05 pm
MIKE LEAVING IS BEST FOR BUCS FANS
The Bucs are going to suck and they need to suck. Evans only helps keep them in that 7-8 win season. It’s time be done with Bowles. We need to reload talent. Mike needs to stop helping the team win.
IT WORKED GREAT FOR TB12 FANS
Wouldn’t it be great to see Evans go to legit contender? We could root for that team for a year or two. TB12 fans got an extra SB experience. Why can’t we?
January 29th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
No way is he leaving.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
luv ya mike!!!!
you’ll always be a BUC in my eyes!!!!
Mike should go home to HOU and bring them a Chip!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
Let him look. Having the offense run through Evans is too steep a hill to climb.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
Somebody please tell me they had the Seahawks and Pats going to the Super Bowl this season based off the way their previous season’s performance. New head coach with the Pats and New QB w/ the Hawks. They were not preseason darlings, we were. Every year is different. I might add they played the Bears and the Broncos in the championship games this year as well. Nobody had them going either. Moving on. Funny how our late season demise turns our fanbase into thinking, our roster is void of talent. What happen to Jayden Daniel and the Commanders? I rest my case. Every Year is different. I understand the stance on Todd Bowles; either get over it or get lost. For those of us who have gotten over it we would appreciate the ones who aren’t over it to get a life and comeback the next year then. The integrity of the game is more concerning than this stuff.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
I would not be surprised at all if he left. It’s no secret some players on the Bucs are not happy with Bowles coaching. Look at what Diaby said. He said there was too many walk through practices last season and then he said he felt like he was playing by himself when he was out on the field.. You can take those statements however you want but when a professional athlete states publicly that he isn’t being coached hard enough you have to take notice. I was surprised when Diaby said it and I think he should be applauded because it shows that he as a player want to improve . That he isn’t just in it for a pay check. Other players have said similar things. I understand as a HC you are worried about injuries especially in a season like last. At what point though is your protection from injuries policy a detriment to the team. The question therefore is, does M. Evans like the trajectory of the team? If no then I could see him leaving. I do believe the Bucs will bounce back next season though. I think the Offensive coordinator will turn out to be a better hire than most think. If they can stay healthy and stay motivated I would not be surprised with 10-11 wins.
As always Go Bucs
January 29th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
813 Stroud sucks. Houston will be drafting a new QB in 2027!and moving on from him.
January 29th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
LEAVE Mike !! This crap show will continue to suck with Bowles in charge of his Third and 28 defense !!
January 29th, 2026 at 2:00 pm
But all we’ve heard about for the last 5 years is how strong a culture Todd has built, and this team is a family that will take less $ to play here.
And we have a RoH elite GM that year after year stocks this team with the best talent the draft has to offer.
Go win your ring elsewhere Mike. The fans have been gaslighted for years into thinking we have competent leadership.
January 29th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
Oh no, say it isn’t so. My number one favorite on the Bucs. No matter where he goes, many of us will be rooting for him.
January 29th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
Kudos to Evans if he bolts!
If he EVER wants a shot at a Super Bowl ring he surely know its not in Tampa…
Owners retaining IBS as HC is abundantly clear they aren’t the slightest bit concerned with winning anything significant!…
May he land on a team that gets him to the Conference Championship and a Super Bowl ring… You’ve wasted enough of your career and years with the Bucs…
January 29th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Def theBowles effect. Perhaps him leaving would wake the Glazers up?
January 29th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
Can’t imagine Mike plays for the Loser Bowels again.
January 29th, 2026 at 2:18 pm
When the fans are telling their favorite long time future HOF WR to leave so he can have a chance to win again that says it all. I 100% agree with them! You only get to play so long and ME deserves to retire a winner! Glazers, are you listening?
January 29th, 2026 at 2:51 pm
Evans will get another ring here and sooner than the other “fans” here would possibly believe. This team has a lot less flaws when it’s uninjured and some upgrades on defense will make a HUGE difference.
January 29th, 2026 at 2:57 pm
Hahahah ,,, 813 , Houston is funny ,,, Stroud makes Baker look like Joe Montana ,,, The only thing that saves Stroud is Houston has a Defense
January 29th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
If Evans leaves, then Bowles will really have some amazing accolades in his resume:
– Only HC to oversee Tom Brady having a losing season record his entire career.
– Only HC to oversee Mike Evans playing for another team other than the Bucs.
Impressive stuff, Todd. 3rd and 28…
January 29th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Shake&Baker Says:
January 29th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
813 Stroud sucks. Houston will be drafting a new QB in 2027!and moving on from him.
Stroud has more playoff wins CHUMP!!!!!!!
BUCS will be moving on from baker in 2027!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 29th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
After the “3rd and 28” episode, does anyone thinks he wants to play for Todd anymore? He is done with a coach that can’t coach a D to save his life and that, on top of that, year after year handcuffs the offense so that his horrible D is not exposed!
Is not only this year… or have you forgotten the way we lost to the Commanders in the playoff last year?
After tasting what it is like to play for a true HC (Bruce Arians), who can blame him for wanting to play to another truly good HC?