Matthew Berry: Chatter Last Week In Indianapolis Has Mike Evans Gone
March 3rd, 2026
“Baker, you played in Cleveland. What’s it like scraping ice off your windshield every day? Do they sell ice scrapers up north?”
This may be the first time that Joe has linked to Matthew Berry of NBC. He’s a fantasy guy and “this Joe” isn’t.
Joe’s not anti-fantasy at all, it’s just that Joe’s idea of fantasy has nothing to do with football and everything to do with a comely lass and a secluded tropical island.
Berry puts out a post-combine rumors column of what he hears in the bars, at the eateries, the coffee shops and at the NFL beehive that is the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. He talks to the many, many suits, scouts and coaches that are seen all over the downtown hub of Indiana’s capital city.
Berry makes it a point to let everyone know he is not a journalist, so he does not try to vet these rumors. One rumor Berry heard more than once is about Bucs soon-to-be free agent Mike Evans.
24. Speaking of Mike Evans, I truly believe he’ll be in a new uniform next year. The Buccaneers love him, but given the commitment they made to Chris Godwin last year and a deep young WR room, Tampa Bay is okay letting him go elsewhere. I heard Buffalo as a potential landing spot for Evans and possibly Philly if the Eagles decide to move A.J. Brown.
Berry also noted that while the Bills love Evans, they may not have the spare change to pay Evans because Buffalo is up against it with the salary cap.
Joe doesn’t know about Berry’s choice of words, “Tampa Bay is OK letting him go elsewhere.” Joe thinks the Bucs would be shook and heartbroken to lose Evans. Perhaps Berry meant to type that the Bucs’ roster is prepared if Evans leaves? Joe agrees with that — if that’s what Berry meant.
Joe never heard an Evans-to-Buffalo rumor at the Combine last week. (Joe sat two tables from Berry on Radio Row) But Joe can easily see how someone could connect the dots.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:06 am
Baker does better with nkobody recievers. By by obj wan kenobi
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:09 am
Houston would be the only place that ME would even remotely enjoy playing as much as Tampa and the Texans would have to do some major finance wizardry to accomplish that. ME13 is staying in Tampa where he will finish his career.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:28 am
The Bucs made their bed when they kept their 3 and 28 first down giving up wonky coach.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:31 am
Sounds like a guy who talked to a couple drunk dudes at the bars and is total speculation in the drunks part.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:36 am
The Buffalo option is a joke. I thought he would want to leave to win another Super Bowl? It will never happen on that Snakebit Team/Town. If this is all about the $$ and he wants to be a Greedy Pig-let him go. Has he not made enough $ 153 million in his career already and won a SB here? If he leaves, he will prove he is a Phony after all. Go Bucs!!
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:39 am
Mike may test the waters of free agency but I just don’t see him leaving the Bucs. Taking such an offer would mean either uprooting his wife and young children who’ve lived in Tampa their entire lives during Mike’s professional career or Mike commutes weekly. I just don’t see that scenario as something that Mike would want to deal with towards the end of his career. Sure the money may be amazing, but the quality of life would erode quickly. I think he hears offers but stays in Tampa.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:46 am
Smart money says ME13 will be in Tampa or Houston. Those hammy’s won’t like the Buffalo winters.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:50 am
@Marky Mark
Oh yeah how did it work out with nobody WR’s in 2024 when his top option was Sterling Shepherd? They went on an 0-3 stretch. Don’t disrespect Mike like that by comparing him to a diva. Mike has been a QB friendly WR his whole career
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:52 am
Yes please leave and go somewhere where you have a chance to win. With Bowles we are fighting only for draft pick this year.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:55 am
There were only two people in Indy that have talked to Mike: Jason Licht and ME13’s agent. Berry heard the stuff the agent is spouting.
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
Not the Bills–miserable place, new HC, new OC. KC? They won SIX games last year, Mahomes won’t start practicing until August –team is on the decline after picking near last for the last decade. Houston? Maybe but their QB really isn’t a good passer
March 3rd, 2026 at 7:59 am
Aahh yes, our daily dose of ‘Mike’s gone; no he’s not’.
Nice touch Joe bringing the fantasy guys into it. Of course, some of us would argue it’s ALL FANTASY, until Mike actually signs someplace.
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:05 am
Bets anyone?
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:16 am
Extending Godwin was among one of the dumbest extentions Licht has done. Of course Mike is gone and this offense will struggle. Mike made Baker’s accuracy manageable at times with his catch radius and once Mike leaves that completion % will get worse. JMac, EE and CG all all the same types of WR. Lol….its gonna be a long season.
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:40 am
Comely lass.
I F’ing love this. You are Old School, Joe!
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:46 am
Mike deserves a chance to chase a ring and it’s not happening here. 4th coordinator in how many years with multiple scheme changes. A terrible defense with holes everywhere. Mike was clearly disgusted with the teams discipline, efforts and coaching after he worked so hard to return from injury.
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:52 am
its HOU or 813 lol
unfortunately, i think mike heads home to HOU
GO BUCS!!!!
March 3rd, 2026 at 8:52 am
Bye. The old geezer can go.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:02 am
Evans will want to play with a team that can win and a QB he believes he’ll vibe with. I could see Allen but Hurts is basically Mayfield but with a high degree of arrogance and pettiness. There’s been constant rumors of Hurts being a prick in the locker room similar to Wentz. Dude drinks waaay too much of his own koolaid since winning a SB.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:05 am
JL made 2 huge mistakes last year: signing Zion to a huge extension and resigning Godwin to a massive contract when he was coming off a major injury. We have too much money tied up in our wide receivers. We’re stuck with Godwin for 2026 and hopefully he’ll return to his Pro Bowl form but if he doesn’t they can let him walk in 2027. As for Mike, I would love to keep him but with all the holes on defense I don’t see how we can pull it off. Mike and Chris are getting older and are breaking down. They combined for 600 yards and 5 TDs last season at a combined salary of $45 million. Hard to justify that.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:24 am
I speak for all of us when I say nobody wants Mike to leave…. but there is a lot of talent in the WR room Egbuka, Godwin, Johnson. Baker will make it work with anyone. If letting go of mike means a far improved defense by all means, focus on the defense.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:25 am
I’m ok with ME13 leaving, the Bucs have a deep WR roster. Bucs need to take the money and spend it on Defense. Besides Mike is getting to the point where he misses games due to injuries. I wish him the best….
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:45 am
I think one of the joes won’t be ok with it but I think the bucs see the writing on the wall his age and the holes and depth they need to fill says all of what they will do they play it up for fans(joe) but they are ok moving on like all franchises do eventually with aging stars.
March 3rd, 2026 at 9:47 am
Rumors were after the season that Mike already has two feet out the door.
March 3rd, 2026 at 11:05 am
Im not sure I understand the argument made that Mike should leave so the Bucs can spend that money on defense. What money?? Mike leaving doesn’t free up tons of money, in fact we will still be paying some 13mil plus on Mike if he goes.
Also, Houston isnt happening. I get the home town angle, but the have Niko and just drafted 2 WRs, one of which is a Evans clone and much younger and cheaper. Plus the need to spend money to protect their QB and need a running back. Dont see them going after Evans.