Mike Evans Is In Team Glazer Hands
February 18th, 2026
Team Glazer members and Raise The Flags co-stars.
Joe is getting a good laugh from all the sports radio chatter and social media freakout surrounding Mike Evans possibly leaving in free agency.
If Team Glazer doesn’t want Evans to stay, then he won’t stay. If they want him, he’ll be here. It’s as simple as that.
First, the Bucs could slap the franchise tag on Evans if they desired. That would prevent Evans from leaving and lock him up for about $28 million for the 2026 season. Of course, teams can still negotiate a new contract with a franchised player; Joe assumes Evans wants another two-year deal like he signed in 2024.
Twice, the Bucs slapped fellow stud receiver Chris Godwin with the franchise tag. It’s not the evil tool some players and fans make it out to be. Godwin played out his first franchise tag year and the Bucs tore up the second tag in favor of a new, multi-year contract.
Yes, $28 million for Evans in 2026 likely represents him being overpaid by at least $5 million. If it actually came to that, $5 million or even $7 million isn’t exactly a ton of money under a salary cap that exceeds $300 million for the first time.
Joe is not advocating overpaying Evans, but it’s certainly better than overpaying Zyon McCollum.
Again, it’s unlikely re-signing Evans comes down to an overly harsh negotiation. Evans likes playing in Tampa and the Bucs will find what he’s willing to accept with a smile. Also, Joe is confident Evans would say the Bucs would have been a dangerous playoff team if he didn’t miss 9 games last season. So Evans believes in his impact and believes the team around him has loads of talent.
And that brings Joe back to Team Glazer. If ownership wants fans to have hope for a spectacular 2026 season, then Evans comes back. If that’s not a priority, then, well, there’s a chance Evans is wearing enemy colors.
February 18th, 2026 at 9:35 am
Well said, Joe. Mike Evans impact to the franchise, the community and the Bucs fan base exceeds his impact as a player, but he still is a dangerous offensive threat and if the Bucs are serious about competing in 2026-27 an essential weapon for the team/
Sign him!
February 18th, 2026 at 9:39 am
If Evans want to be year to year at this point, I would think he’d want the franchise tag. I would.
February 18th, 2026 at 9:39 am
I want Mike to retire as a Buc and I think he has plenty left in the tank if he is limited to about half the snaps on offense to limit his chance of injury.
February 18th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Can’t blame Evans, wouldn’t want to play for Bowles either. This may be his last contract and he wants to be a winner. Can’t do that with Bowles as your HC.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
I don’t like the idea of putting the franchise tag on Evans.
I want him to retire as a Buc just as much as anyone but I also think he has earned the right to make his own choice of where he finishes his career.
Don’t force him to be here if he doesn’t want to play here.
In my opinion that’s a level of respect that Mike Evans has earned.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Defense defense defense. Love mike but history has repeated itself over and over with aging receivers.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Nahhh he is too old.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Evans is gone. There’s no chance with Bowles. With all the drafts and money invested in WR, they aren’t going to pay fmv for Evans. Evans is going to a SB contender on a 2 year deal. Think of Devante Adam’s 2 year 50 million deal, and Evans should get something close to that.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:09 am
The Glazers…along with their official and unofficial brain trust…will consider the following:
1) Evans is Licht’s very first draft pick…and JL tends to get sentimental with his draft picks…including not trading any for the most part. He will do all he can to re-sign Evans
2) The Glazers listen to outside sources, no doubt including part time fantasy GM/full time hairdresser to the Hillsborough County “elite”…the board favorite Hot Rod Mulch. Mulch is insisting Evans receive a 5 year extension. Evan’s agent adamantly agrees. It sounds like salary cap suicide…but Hot Rod is a swashbuckler.
If the money saved by potentially not signing Evans is earmarked for defense, it’s hard to argue against it.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:29 am
He ain’t going anywhere. Gimme a Break.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:38 am
There are plenty of reasons for Evans to stay here. He seems to genuinely like the area, his wife also seems to feel the same way and the team will certainly be competitive like it is most years. I hope he retires here.
However, if he’s dead set on having the potential to win a SB next year, he’ll leave. Even if we fill all the holes on defense this offseason, which is impossible, and get great health luck like in ‘23, the ‘top of tops’ under this head coach is 9-10 wins and a quick out in the playoffs. And that’s if the division remains in the dumps. I’d be shocked if ME doesn’t understand this. But that might be enough for him. Baker recently specifically stated Mike would rather go out winning another division title.
From the glazers and Lichts POV I hope they are taking into account the amount of games Mike will likely play before committing to a number. The more Mike gets the less money for those ILBs and help along the dline. But it seems as if emotions play somewhat of a significant role in their decision making.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Lol! No hes not,I hope he rocks on! He should take baker with him!
February 18th, 2026 at 11:38 am
Yup, glazers will force him to leave by retaining blowo. He doesn’t have the luxury of the whole division being trash anymore to make him look successful. Smart move guys!
February 18th, 2026 at 11:43 am
Steve V. Says:
February 18th, 2026 at 11:15 am
Lol! No hes not,I hope he rocks on! He should take baker with him.
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Think ME13 would be in favor of going anywhere with Baker. Evans had great years in 2023 and 2024 with Baker. You doofuses say really dumb things.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:56 am
2 more years baby!
Evans and Godwin will set every record for a WR duo.
Evans and Godwin for 2 more years baby!
Then Egbuka and J-Mac will take over as WR 1 and WR 2.
Go Bucs!
February 18th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
You don’t slap a franchise tag on a legend in year 13. Mike deserves the right to explore free agency. If the Glazers wanted to ensure his services they would’ve extended him already.
I think Mike wants a shot at another ring and he doesn’t think this franchise is set up for that with Bowles and maybe even Baker. Bills is a likely destination.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:11 pm
Not doubting what Mike’s done Gip! Him and baker deserve better!
February 18th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Mike’s done it for years with what 8-10 qbs ..why finish here ?
February 18th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
“Think ME13 would be in favor of going anywhere with Baker. Evans had great years in 2023 and 2024 with Baker. You doofuses say really dumb things.”
Mike has made mediocre QBs look better than they are by themselves since he’s been in the NFL.
Got Mike Glennon paid once upon a time
extended McCowns’ career
Helped Fitzmagic be a thing for a little bit
Security blanket and personal protector for Jameis Winston
Probably was part of what drew Brady here after having an other-worldy season in 2019.
Baker looks better playing with Mike, not the other way around.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Depends on two things – what the Glazers are willing to fork over and what really is the most important thing to Big Mike? If he wants to stay in Tampa because this is home I see them working something out. If he wants a shot at another ring why would he stay? NO CHANCE that’s happening next season with this team. ZERO. ZIP. NADDA. I want Mike to stay and hope they can work something reasonable out.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
The big question is can Evans stay healthy his hamstrings seem to be getting worse every year. He didn’t even play half the season this year and the year before that he was out because of his hamstring. I love Evans just like most Bucs fans. He is a legend but at some point this team is going to have to stop making decisions with its heart and start making business decisions if they want to win another Super Bowl.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Yeah Lynch! All 12k yards 90+ tds all to mike from baker!
February 18th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
ME13 is TD machine! Almost every time the Bucs get into the red zone they score with him catching the TD pass. Also, on critical passes you can’t miss with ME13.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
@WarrenBrooksLynch
I agree with everything you posted about the QBs that Evans has helped and made look better.
Also dont forget Mike made Johnny Manziell look like a competant QB.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
This Baker argument is getting old it’s a reason why he’s on his 4th team and we all saw it last year. He’s to inconsistent and I was one of the people saying he’s leading the MVP race and he played bad the second half of the season and it wasn’t because he was injured. I watched the bucs documentary and Jamies said he was playing with a spring rotated cup and he should have should sat until he got healthy but he didn’t get the injury excuse so Baker shouldn’t get either.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:39 pm
Oneilbuc,
Not going to even ask you what a “spring rotated cup” is. Be careful throwing stones at Baker when I am not even sure what language you are using.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
Baker got hurt trying to make a play ,gave himself up cause his defense was inept…The whole team fell apart. Bowles couldn’t right the ship
February 18th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
“Yeah Lynch! All 12k yards 90+ tds all to mike from baker!”
*13K yards and 108 TDs, but you get my drift.
It’s not like we don’t have examples from the last 2 seasons of how our pass game looks with and without Mike. So, to speak as if Mike wouldn’t look good catching passes from any of the other 31 starting QBs(and some backups) is hilarious to me.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
“no doubt including part time fantasy GM/full time hairdresser to the Hillsborough County “elite”…the board favorite Hot Rod Mulch. Mulch is insisting Evans receive a 5 year extension”
LOL….the only one who told you rod was a board favorite was Rod or one of his sock puppet accounts. His five year extension for Mike idea isn’t even in his top five football takes.
Don’t be fooled. Kiddies have the time to post more. Theres nothing else to it
February 18th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Well said Joe. He’s still elite. Hasn’t lost a step. No reason to not resign him. Baker n him wor well together.
February 18th, 2026 at 2:07 pm
Plain and simple, you resign him. He still has a massive spot on this roster. He is a true X receiver that we currently do not have. Also, from a business perspective, the Glazers kept unpopular Bowles and another Bucs legend David may retire. If Evans leaves, how will they sell tickets? This team wont have an identity. This goes beyond just the on field play, it’s smart from a business perspective to keep fans in seats and sell jerseys
February 18th, 2026 at 2:22 pm
Oneilbuc Says:
This Baker argument is getting old it’s a reason why he’s on his 4th team and we all saw it last year. He’s to inconsistent and I was one of the people saying he’s leading the MVP race and he played bad the second half of the season and it wasn’t because he was injured.
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Baker was playing with multiple injuries, including a separated shoulder, according to Sean Sullivan. And he was playing behind a couple of third-string guards. There aren’t many QBs who can play anywhere near their potential under those circumstances.
Drake Maye just missed being awarded MVP this past season in one of the closest votes ever, losing to Stafford 366 – 361. But when he played in the Super Bowl earlier this month with an injured throwing shoulder and an O-line that couldn’t protect him, he didn’t look like an MVP, did he?
February 18th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
WBL. I’ve been watching Evans since his college days and you are right as rain. Hall of Fame receivers make their QBs look better. Duh.
February 18th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
he’s got a family to consider, wife and kids are happy here….
the bucs offense without mike is handy capped, every team has to account for him with a cb and a safety in his area, go back and watch the atlanta game, mike frees up the other receivers, he’sa great decoy… if they tag him they need to bubble wrap his hamstrings. the bucs blew their load too early in 25’ …save it for after the bye, everyone peaked too early and then they tried too hard and panicked, go back and watch the games
February 18th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Even if they do “overpay” him for this year with the tag the cap goes up next year. They could tag him and then rework the contract.