Report: Mike Evans Hasn’t Even Discussed Future With Bucs, Family
January 30th, 2026
The latest.
Yesterday, a report from NFL veteran scribe Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports about Bucs’ franchise icon Mike Evans’ near future sure shook up Bucs fandom.
Pauline, who is in Mobile for the Senior Bowl practices where scuttlebutt within NFL circles flows freely, claimed NFL sources told him they believe Evans has a less than 50/50 shot of returning to the Bucs in 2026.
Though Joe was and is a dubious of the report, Joe also knows Evans hungers to play for another Super Bowl contender and there are teams out there that could use a man like Evans who are much closer to winning a Super Bowl than the Bucs.
After Pauline’s report, Jenna Laine of ESPN tracked down folks close to Evans. Her information is that Evans hasn’t even discussed his future, whether to return to football or not, or play for the Bucs or some other team.
Evans will be a free agent this spring, unless re-signed by the Bucs before the free agency dinner bell rings on March 11.
Regarding Mike Evans: Those close to him whom I have spoken with today say he hasn’t talked about his immediate future. He hasn’t talked to the team about this either. None of those conversations have happened. I talked to him right after the season ended and he said he’d start thinking about things after the Super Bowl. I asked if he had a timeline in mind and he said 1-2 months after the season. But he was pretty clear on it being after the Super Bowl when he’d start assessing his future.
As the late, great Dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, the Big Dog, Steve Duemig would say, “I smell agent.” Evans’ agent has conned some in the local pen and mic club previously into believing Evans had a foot and most of his body out the door on One Buc Palace — only for Evans and the Bucs to bro-hug each other at a contract signing ceremony.
So Joe would not be shocked one iota if Evans’ agent is planting rumors in an effort to gin up Evans’ price.
January 30th, 2026 at 4:42 am
I would not be shocked if he doesn’t like utter ineptitude form his coaching staff and wants to leave and compete for a Super Bowl. You see, he got a taste of winning, and met a guy named Tom Brady, who proved that you can win with a different situation and a different franchise late in your career. Perhaps he wants some adventure in his career. Also seemed to work for Carlton Davis Iii by the way.
Would love to have Evans. Would also love for him to enjoy himself because he’s earned it and deserves more than a coach with his head up his a**.
January 30th, 2026 at 5:35 am
He won’t leave. According to LVD, they love all things Todd.
January 30th, 2026 at 6:04 am
Evans deserves better than a below average coach.
January 30th, 2026 at 6:18 am
not only is mike coming back…
but big mike wants a 3 year deal 🙂
haha
January 30th, 2026 at 6:21 am
I hope he does come back, plenty of reasons why he might not.
January 30th, 2026 at 6:35 am
I can’t imagine Mike in another Jersey besides Tampa, but that is what Niner fans thought about Rice and Montana.
January 30th, 2026 at 6:36 am
It’s been a good run. I don’t think his agent is angling for the most money, that will take care of itself. Mike has made his bag already it’s about championships, and padding his Hall numbers now. Good up, and coming team in Duuvaaal with a coach, and system he knows. I’d say they have better SB odds than the Bucs. Whatever Mike decides do, I’ll be rooting for him.
January 30th, 2026 at 6:56 am
Evans has shown he isn’t about money first. Think he’s honestly contemplating family time. I smell 1 more season from him. Think Bowles needs 2 stop rest weeks 4 vets. Could be the cause of some confusion out there
January 30th, 2026 at 7:07 am
c’mon Now. We all know he is not going anywhere. And Yes, the Bucs are a completely different team offensively when he is on the field. Now about that Putrid Pass Defense!
January 30th, 2026 at 7:24 am
Mike is not worthy of the franchise tag …. Needs to give a serious home town discount should he choose to stay ! Remember big guy your 3&28 coach is still in the building !
January 30th, 2026 at 7:27 am
Sure…because he doesn’t speak to his wife and kids.
“Is everything all right, honey?
“It’s fine.”
January 30th, 2026 at 7:55 am
Yes, discussing is serious business, he needs the time like every NFL player to just escape and enjoy life.
Reckoning time will come soon enough…
January 30th, 2026 at 8:21 am
The writing was on the wall when they gave out 13k Mike Evans bobble heads during our last home game. It was Gene’s last game after 37 years, he didn’t get a bobble head. Also Lavonte tied Derrick for all time tackles in what is also expected to be his last game before retirement. The Bucs didn’t celebrate him that day either, I’m just saying 🤔. I think he’s going home to Houston, which explains why we drafted egbuka in the first round last year versus adding ANYTHING on the much needed defensive side of the ball. Also explains why the glazers gave Todd a pass for another season, they all know Mike is done in Tampa.
January 30th, 2026 at 8:26 am
The only thing Houston lacks is a QB
January 30th, 2026 at 8:35 am
He needs to retire his hamstrings are a problem if someone else wants to overpay so be it
January 30th, 2026 at 8:40 am
Probably a rumor cooked up at the senior bowl, these NFL types get together and start all types of talks. 6 weeks or so away from the new league year, I’d expect more of these types of rumors around the time the combine gets going.
Mikes’ going to do what he wants, all we can do is wait
January 30th, 2026 at 8:40 am
Wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t come back but again, I don’t want to see him looking like Brooks and David at the end. Hopefully he comes back for at least one more season!
January 30th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Evans was the least of our problems; he has earned the right to decide whatever he wants to do. I’ve always thought an athlete that doesn’t hold on for too long is one of the ones that you would want, so someone else can come in and get the reps
January 30th, 2026 at 9:01 am
How can it not be on your mind, regardless if you are relaxing or not you have to be thinking about.
January 30th, 2026 at 10:41 am
take as much time as you need Mike!!!…you’ve deserved it!!!
GO BUCS!!!
January 30th, 2026 at 10:51 am
Here’s what will happen Licht will low ball thinking Evans has to take a hometown discount just to lose in the 1st or not make the playoffs at all then he’ll higher offers from other teams and take one.
Godwins base salary is 22 million, Evans made 21 million last year and it’s simply insulting to come back to this team and not be the highest paid. This isn’t agent talk we already know Bucs will have to pay Evans this year no hometown discount to play for the worst coach in the NFL
January 30th, 2026 at 11:19 am
813🤣🤣🤣 I remember you talking about a championship defense after the
Detroit game, you said that game was bump on the yellow brick road.i my bucs’s friend. I told you then we wasn’t ready.
I remember watching Brooks and the boys you felt like we were ready, when Tom Terrific you knew he can manage a game, you just needed another stop. This group has no leadership none.
January 30th, 2026 at 11:27 am
So without all the injuries and fixing the Defense, this team is dog meat? Joe, last year everyone was talking Super Bowl or playing NFC Championship. What happened? Is the Defense and the DC beyond repair?
January 30th, 2026 at 11:42 am
@ adam from ny Says: “not only is mike coming back…
but big mike wants a 3 year deal 🙂 haha.”
I kind of scoffed at this when I first saw this. I was like “yeah, good luck with that!” LoL. About 3-seconds later… I’m like, hmmmm. You never know!? What if ANOTHER TEAM DID. Then, that could get interesting! He saw what Godwin was (supposedly) offered last off-season by the Patriots… Then, got most of it from the Bucs (3yrs/2-FULLY Guaranteed). Godwin was coming off of a horrific injury, too! Big-Mike’s agent knows this will more than likely be his last ‘bite of the apple’ when it comes to receiving a ‘multi-year’ deal. So, they could make-it awfully tough on the Bucs. Though, the Bucs could consider ‘franchising’ him if that were to happen… Then, trade him!? You’d sure hate to let him go without getting ANYTHING in return. It’s not a great situation to be in if you are the Bucs. I don’t know whether he’d have more value on an expiring contract at the ‘deadline’ (at his age), or with another year attached to it!? I’d say definitely with extra year, as long as he’s still looking good and tearing it up!!!! He could have some VERY good value since he is SO UNIQUE, and a great RedZone threat! He would also make a great 3rd-Down, and ‘possession receiver’ for a contender looking to make a run and in need of a game changing WR at the deadline. We could get multiple picks in return. Thing is he already knows all of this, and it could affect his decision. I can’t remember of any player ever having a “no-trade” clause in the NFL before!? At least not right off. I’m sure whatever they do they’ll want to do right by Mike. Just hopefully, that is only up to a point.
January 30th, 2026 at 11:56 am
Just pay him his money, he deserves it.
January 30th, 2026 at 12:03 pm
@ Hodad Says: “Good up, and coming team in Duuvaaal with a coach, and system he knows. I’d say they have better SB odds than the Bucs.”
Haha YOU’D SAY!? LoL. I’d say you really went out on a limb there, Dad. Hahah. I wonder what the Super Bowl ‘Futures’ are for 2026-2027 season!? I’m not privy to JAX’s current salary cap situation, but it should definitely be a move they should consider at the deadline, IF they are a top contender. Just look at what Big-Mike has done for Baker. Think how many times he’s bailed Baker out, when he’d just throw-it up into double coverage (& etc.) at the very last second. Friggin saved his career. You add HIM to that JAX WR-core of BTJ, Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, AND Travis Hunter!!!! Just WOW. Wow.
January 30th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
In other news, Grizz was picked up by the Eagles. Why would the Eagles pick up our fired OC? Maybe he is not as bad as Bowles scapegoated him to be. What a joke!
January 30th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Mike will be playing his age 33 season in 2026, after being hurt 1/2 the 2025 season & when he did play – he put up a $13M is ludicrous… It’s bad money to invest in that kind of fall off.
Remember, Mike has a $13M 2026 dead cap hit that is a fixed cost & if you throw more bad money at him (another $13M as his market value is stated) that take away the FO’s ability to maneuver & sign needed FA’s & draft picks.
I’d much rather see the FO make moves to spend in FA towards larger positions of NEED (ILB / Edge-OLB) than drop it on 1 aging WR that is a WR3-4 at this stage of his career.
January 30th, 2026 at 2:56 pm
We looked like crap without Evans, not just this past year either.
If his body is telling him he can, I hope it’s here.
Not going to lie tho, I’d feel a little let down if he does walk and play elsewhere.
January 30th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
LMAO. Mike says he is sick and tired of it being 3rd-and-28 all the time, and his Defense cannot get off the field.
January 30th, 2026 at 11:19 pm
everyone knows he’s either houston or buffalo bound
January 31st, 2026 at 10:03 am
Mike goes to Baltimore with Lamar ,Ravens like those older experienced receivers perfect place ,perfect time in bmore
January 31st, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Mike doesn’t owe this team anything. Will I be sad if he cashes in and gets the most money he can on the open market? Of course! But he has taken less for this team before, and I don’t begrudge him whatever he chooses. Maybe he’ll retire? I don’t think he wants to go out with last season as his swan song but you never know.
This is the uncomfortable part that no one wants to say out loud: Godwin, Emeka, and crew are solid at WR. If MIke decides to leave, that should free up plenty of money for a pass rusher/linebacker/CB…🤷🏼♂️
I know, it’s not fun to think about…