The Cost Of Franchising Mike Evans
February 27th, 2026
How much?
Before people stroke out, please keep in mind a franchise tag is nothing more than a tool to buy a team time to get a guy signed.
Of course, a team still cannot put a gun to a player’s head. And if the player signs the tag, that contract price is immediately locked in for the season.
This week at the combine in Indianapolis, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said he would not rule out using the franchise tag to keep Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans.
Some fans freaked out hearing this. See the first two paragraphs.
Today, the NFL released the salary cap limit for the 2026 season, $301.2 million, an increase of $22 million from last year.
If negotiations between the Bucs and Evans, who is scheduled to be a free agent, come to a standstill, Licht could easily slap the tag on Evans by the March 3 deasline to buy him time to get to a real contract. But in case Evans does sign the tagged contract, it will pay $27,298,000. When you factor in last year the Patriots offered Chris Godwin $30 million a year, $27 million doesn’t sound horrible.
Last year, per OverTheCap.com, Evans counted $25,358,000 against the cap.
Joe isn’t sweating Evans’ status with the Bucs. Concerned? Yes. Losing sleep? Nah.
This season’s official franchise and tender numbers: pic.twitter.com/hLti6XbLtn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 27, 2026
February 27th, 2026 at 2:13 pm
I’d franchise him knowing its his last year because that is better than a 2 or 3 year deal with dead money we can spend when he retires like Brady. Also, seems his agent is really pushing for a big multiple year deal knowing it #13’s last.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Id be losing sleep paying 27 million to a guy worth 10. I love the man, but in the business of football, you cant kneecap yourself by paying for past performance. Let him test the market and see what others value him at.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:26 pm
There’s 2 things at work here. Mikes agent doing what an agent does {some are bigger tools than others} and Mike having final say so. We’ve seen what Mike is all about, stand up guy.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Why would ME come back to play under Bowles?
He’s too smart not to notice the writing on the wall.
The only time he’s seen real success was with Tom Brady.
Otherwise he’s made mid to low tier QBs look good. Including Baker.
We’ve seen Bowles at his peak which is 10-7 and a home playoff loss to a rookie.
It took a world class OC to pull off 10 wins under Bowles.
ME deserves a true shot at another title. He doesn’t have that in Tampa.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:41 pm
People seem to forget that the Bucs owe Mike $13M in void year money to cover this contract at signing bonus. That $13M counts regardless whether he resigns or not. Throwing a tag in him just escalates a bad situation further.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Would be idiocy to franchise a player that won’t make it through the season. #Downward spiral.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
ME is worth whatever the market is willing to pay for him, Cassandra. This means whatever offers are made to ME during free agency, that’s what he’s worth to the people who make personnel decisions on NFL teams.
February 27th, 2026 at 2:49 pm
Didn’t we franchise Connor Barth?? Haha
February 27th, 2026 at 2:53 pm
28 million, you can get a top edge rusher with that kind of money. Bucs need a edge rusher a hole lot more than a WR.
February 27th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Egbuka doesn’t put up the stats he did if Mike wasn’t on the field. I will say this, back when it was just Mike and Chris, Mike got plenty of targets. And Jamies was a gambler and Mike was a good bet so a lot of 50/50 balls were thrown. With the Bucs having soo much capital in WR, and preaching no turnovers, they are essentially using Mike as a dummy to take away coverage and open up the others.
This doesn’t make Mike happy. He’s not getting the touches he needs. And they aren’t winning games they should have. So that makes it worse. The Bucs may be of the opinion that he doesn’t warrant that money, but honestly, even if he isn’t getting touches, he is altering coverage. It’s a big gamble to go with the guys they got. Is Chris going to get 1K? Egbukey? JMac? All could, but not sure. And what happens if injury occurs?
February 27th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
Somebody feed Todd.
February 27th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
If Mike wants a super bowl run it’s not going to be here. Not unless the defense makes big changes and the O-line actually works.
February 27th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
I’d like to see Chris Godwin and Mike Evans have a season together and healthy. With Emeka and JMac we can take some pressure off of them. But to get to see Mike and Chris, together for a season and healthy, is gonna cost some real money. Anybody who watched them by season end could see they were back. The offense looked bad because the group didn’t have enough time together. We could probably sign him for 50 million for 2 years. Probably. If Mike Evans and Chris Godwin stayed healthy and played together for the next 2 years they would have a great chance to win a championship. I think it’s important to say I think that both are still playing prime years football. They’ve taken great care of themselves. Not everyone thinks they are playing prime. I disagree. Pay Mike.
February 27th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
Apparently, Bucs pay based on past performance than future. Their loyalty to player should not be a one way affair. The business of football requires Licht to grow a pair and send Evans and LVD packing and spend that money on younger players.
February 27th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Mike should tell Jason, “I’ll sign my contract on 3/28 and I want 3 years at $28 million a season.” 3rd and 28, Never Forget!
February 27th, 2026 at 3:53 pm
“Flush Bowles” has a great point!!!!
And uh, if you do flush, the Bowles appears to be clogged…..
February 27th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
Bucs been doing a lot of stupid stuff lately why would I be surprised that they continue the trend.
February 27th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
You can’t keep comparing the year before on every level. Evans is 33 and has the Bucs by the balls. $27,298,000 THE BUCS need to negotiate he could simply play for 27 million dollars or only hurts the Bucs not him. If Evans moves on it has to happens eventually. Go get your ring Mike you aren’t even assured 1k and a playoff spot with this head coach
February 27th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Another site has the Bucs retaining Evans at a 50% chance at best.
He wants targets, yards and wins.
Keeping Bowles has so many negatives attached to it, hard to even process the feelings about it anymore.
Will be cheering for Mike whichever color he wears next season.
February 27th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
I agree with a lot of the posts. I will always cheer for ME 13. He is a class act, and
A team player. I Will keep praying he stays on the Bucs team.
February 27th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
Stupid is as stupid does…
Some of you folks are totally delusional.
Plus – why would ME13 want to spend his final season here?
Get real.
February 27th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
no…spend $$$$ on defense please
February 27th, 2026 at 6:23 pm
I agree, Joe. Mike will stay with the Bucs. With the new attitude at OV, he should be happy. Bowles is another issue, but hopefully Bowles can get over his own stubbornness and actually allow the defense to become what it should be.