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Over the last decade, few wide receivers in the NFL have matched the consistency of Mike Evans.
As he approaches his first true shot at free agency, one recent projection has connected the longtime Tampa Bay star to the Denver Broncos.
PFSN analyst Jacob Infante listed Denver among the top landing spots for Evans, noting that the veteran wideout could make sense for a playoff contender looking to elevate its offense.
Evans has spent all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Buccaneers.
He’s built a résumé that includes more than 13,000 receiving yards, 109 touchdowns and six Pro Bowl selections.
He opened his career with 11 straight 1,000 yard seasons, tying Jerry Rice for the longest such streak to begin a career.
That amazing streak was snapped this season due to injury.
Infante pointed to Denver’s cap flexibility and need for another playmaker as reasons the fit makes sense.
The Broncos enter the offseason with roughly $29 million in available space, giving them room to explore additions.
While Evans’ $52 million extension signed in 2024 voids and leaves Tampa Bay with over $13 million in dead cap, analysts project his next deal to land closer to $13 million annually as he prioritizes joining a contender.
A recent report from Tony Pauline suggested it is “less than 50 50” that Evans re-signs in Tampa Bay.
Pauline added that he “would like to go to a contender and win another title” if he were to leave.
Why the Broncos Make Sense for Mike Evans
Even after a 14 win season, the Broncos’ wide receiver room is a major team need.
Courtland Sutton remains a reliable presence, but behind him, Denver has largely relied on a collection of No. 3 caliber options.
The team tried to fast track Troy Franklin’s development last season, and while there were flashes, the consistency was not there.
Marvin Mims Jr. remains the most explosive threat on the roster, but he has always been inconsistent.
Pat Bryant showed flashes as a rookie but injuries ultimately derailed his season.
That is where the Mike Evans projection becomes especially logical.
Rather than replacing Sutton as the focal point, Evans would pair with him to form one of the more physically imposing receiver duos in the AFC.
Both are big bodied, boundary targets who thrive in contested situations.
That combination would force defenses to choose where to roll coverage, something Denver rarely dictated last season.
The Broncos’ offense ranked in the middle of the league in overall impact metrics despite securing the AFC’s No. 1 seed behind an elite defense.
Throughout the season, the inability to consistently generate explosive plays, combined with untimely drops, proved costly.
Adding Mike Evans would change that.
Mike Evans’ Production Still Commands Attention
Even at 32 years old, Evans remains one of the league’s most efficient vertical and contested catch threats.
Though a hamstring injury limited him to eight games in 2025, he was great when healthy.
He had 368 yards on 31 catches while averaging 12.3 yards per catch in just seven full games.
In a matchup against the Falcons, Evans totaled 132 yards and made multiple big-time catches.
Across his career, the 6 foot 5 receiver has been one of the NFL’s premier red zone weapons, using size and body control to dominate in tight windows.
His 109 career touchdowns speak for themselves.
There had been brief speculation about retirement, but indications are that Evans intends to continue playing.
Despite public comments in past years about wanting to finish his career in Tampa Bay, league insiders now view a split as very possible and the Broncos remain a team to watch in his pursuit.
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