Mike Evans And The Retirement Puzzle
February 14th, 2026
Where is he leaning?
So will Mike Evans retire? Will he play for the Bucs? The hand-wringing continues.
Tentatively, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht and Bucs coach Todd Bowles will speak in about a week and a half at the combine in downtown Indianapolis. There, they might reveal Evans’ decision timeline or if he is leaning toward playing or hanging up his cleats.
Evans is scheduled to be a free agent when the free agency dinner bell rings on Monday, March 9.
Over at ESPN, Jenna Laine types that Evans is “less likely” to retire. Of course, this begs the question, less likely than what? Less likely than Lavonte David? Laine didn’t detail any estimate for either player.
Baker Mayfield said recently to another Bucs legend, Rondé Barber, he feels Evans has plenty more fire in his belly and gas in the tank to return. And return to the Bucs.
February 14th, 2026 at 7:50 am
It’s the 2 Mike’s for me . A-train & ME13 . Bucs legends no matter what !
February 14th, 2026 at 8:21 am
No hand wringing in Lt. Dan’s world. ME13 deserves to do whatever he wants. Test free agency, retire, sign another one year deal with the Bucs…he’s earned it.
February 14th, 2026 at 8:35 am
Take the Brady train! A contender will pick him up
February 14th, 2026 at 8:42 am
One more year as a Buc. I think he wants to make up for last year and get another 1k. JMO
February 14th, 2026 at 8:53 am
He is still fuming over 3rd and 28
February 14th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Ok, say he wants another Superbowl (which admittedly, doesn’t look promising HERE )
Mike has to pick the right team, so LAST year, he’d maybe pick Buffalo, KC…Rams? What are the odds he’d have pick the Pats or the Seahawks?
February 14th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Since they kept todd, its going to take a lot to keep him here, because he knows…
3 yrs 32.8 mill maybe?
February 14th, 2026 at 9:12 am
3 yrs 28 mill?
February 14th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Here is my humble opinion. Number one, Mike is not going to retire yet!!, no way. Number 2, keep in mind right now 32 teams are planning to get to the Super Bowl next year. If I am Mike I am asking Licht and Bowles, what are their plans for addressing the defense next year. I believe he thinks as many of us do, If the Bucs can improve the defense to at least average or a little better they have a solid chance to make a serios run next year. Yes any team including Seattle can be a gamble next year depending on what transpires before and during next season. We know Mike has a sense of loyality to the Bucs as well as family and community ties here. Yes, my thoughts are he is asking Licht and Bowles and Mayfield about Robinson as well. I think if the Bucs brass can convince him they will make huge moves this off season on the defense he will stay and finish his carreer here. Why not, the Bucs could be serious players, just like many other teams. Presently no team is a shoe in to get to the Super Bowl.
February 14th, 2026 at 9:29 am
There is NO WAY he retires. So, let’s just please go ahead and eliminate that part of the equation. It’s not even a possibility. So, there is absolutely no reason to even discuss it. If you want to talk about other potential landing spots, then fine. But retirement ain’t happenin. So, let’s move on from this. Same with the daily Crosby articles. There are probably about 100 MORE FA/trade options to discuss. How bout move on to the DRAFT!? Or, at least something!? Hell, ANYTHING ELSE.
February 14th, 2026 at 9:34 am
“the Bucs could be serious players, just like many other teams. Presently no team is a shoe in to get to the Super Bowl.”
It’s delusional talk. I can go ahead and tell you RIGHT NOW, the Bucs have NO SHOT. ZERO. It’s NOT happening. They are AT BEST a Bottom-5 teal in the NFC. And, that’s it changing. Don’t know what WORLD you live in to even think that THEY have as good of a shot as anyone else!? It’s absurd on sooo many levels.
February 14th, 2026 at 10:08 am
I love Mike and wish him the best no matter what he does. I would guess his family would like to stay in Tampa and Mike’s charity here is great, BUT this team is going nowhere with Bowles’ defense. Mike has the desire and talent for a couple more years, I hope it’s here.
February 14th, 2026 at 10:31 am
Run, Michael, run!
February 14th, 2026 at 10:44 am
I believe Evans will play another year in the NFL and I hope it will be here in Tampa.
But I wouldn’t blame him for leaving and playing for a team with a better QB, defense, head coach and a chance at another SB ring…
If ME13 leaves Tampa our 1st round pick might be a better TE (Kenyon Sadiq) or another WR – please don’t hate the messenger Baker Boys.
Godwin will probably be gone after next season and McMillan is a bit injury prone and built like a Barbie doll.
Not to mention our other WR – Tez Johnson who weighs 160 ILBs.
February 14th, 2026 at 11:09 am
He will be back. Please stay Evans!
February 14th, 2026 at 11:32 am
I also believe Mike Evans will play one more year. He loves the game. That said – I’m not sure it’s the best use of Bucs resources to resign him – or whether to save money and put the salary savings toward bolstering the defense – and perhaps replacing Otten at tight end.
I have the same challenge with Mike Evans as I have with Chris Godwin. They’re both elite players – but they’ve both missed big chunks of recent seasons due to injuries – usually in the middle of fall. During those same periods the Bucs have faltered. So the Bucs are paying significant full season salaries – but only getting partial season returns from each. At the same time, the Bucs have recruited talented young receivers who are growing – and need more field time to reach their potential (Note – Emeka Egbuka’s decline in targets once Evans/Gowin returned) So…it’s a conundrum!
February 14th, 2026 at 11:35 am
Bucs can’t or shouldn’t keep Mike and LVD. Sign Mike, re do the contracts of several players so we can get at least 4 new starters on defense. LVD needs to retire. Bucs need a younger, faster and nastier replacement.
February 14th, 2026 at 11:44 am
As soon as Mike is no longer a Buc — you lose one of the most unique and talented red zone receivers the NFL has ever had. I hope he is here next year — the guy is one of the few guys who is open even if he isn’t in the red zone.
February 14th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Whatever they or he decides to do, u can’t sign him for anything but a year to year contract at this point! Can’t tie up too much money at this stage of his career
February 14th, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Part time fantasy GM and full time hairdresser to Hillsborough “elite”…Hot Rod Mulch is demanding a 5 year contract for Evans. Evan’s agent no doubt enthusiastically agrees.
February 14th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
Out….get him out.
February 14th, 2026 at 10:39 pm
They need to sign him to a 2 year deal and LVD to a one year deal. They both are making it perfectly clear they want to play. If they let either of them walk, I’m boycotting.
February 15th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Jesus Christ I’m so tired of all this. Every-single-day. Will he, won’t he. Meanwhile the team, the younger players, fans stuck in purgatory because you have remnants of the previous regeneration just hovering over everyone’s head to the point where it feels like it’s weighing everyone and everything down. And newsflash people, if we sign two guys that absolutely will not play all 16 games, and will not be top 10 players at their position then we are in no position to even think about a Maxx Crosby or a Trey Hendrickson etc. I’m no fan or Irritable Bowles Syndrone but the overall talent on this football team is absolutely middling and not elite. At its very best we’re a 10-7 roster with wildcard playoff exit written all over it. The arrow is point down with rebuild eventually happening. Time to rip the band aid off. This isn’t the jaguars with the arrow pointing straight up with of bunch of young athletic guys with a dominating defensive line