Mike Evans will keep playing next season, but not necessarily for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The wide receiver’s agents, Deryk Gilmore and Darren Jones, told ESPN’s Kimberley A. Martin that Evans will play in 2026. Evans, who has played his entire 12-year career in Tampa Bay, will explore his free-agent options.
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The news could give other teams an opportunity to snag one of the game’s most under-appreciated stars following a down year.
“He is opening it up,” Gilmore confirmed to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “That he will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa but will definitely play a 13th season.”
Evans will play in 2026
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 16: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs with the ball after catching a first half pass against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
A beacon of consistency, Evans matched Jerry Rice’s record by registering at least 1,000 receiving yards in 11 consecutive seasons. He’s second to DeAndre Hopkins in career receiving yards (13,052) among active players despite snapping his decorated streak in 2025.
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Evans played just eight games last season due to a hamstring injury, a broken collarbone, and a concussion. He was on pace to fall considerably short of 1,000 yards even if fully healthy, tallying just 368 on 30 catches.
After averaging over 60 receiving yards per game in every previous season, Evans reached that threshold just once in 2025. He also secured a career-low 48.4 percent of his targets and totaled just 37 yards after the catch.
The rough results sparked speculation about his future. Evans wouldn’t confirm a return to Tampa Bay, saying before Week 18 that there’s “always a possibility” he comes back. The Buccaneers gave out Evans bobbleheads “as a tribute to his legendary career and commitment to Tampa Bay” during their season-ending win over the Carolina Panthers.
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“I just approach it how I always approach it,” Evans said in late December. “It’s whatever happens, happens. I’ll focus on that when the time is right.”
ESPN’s Jenna Laine said that Evans is “less likely to retire” this offseason than Buccaneers teammate Lavonte David, who is also an unrestricted free agent. Via Laine, Gilmore posted a statement on Monday denying “false and misleading posts circulating online” about Evans’ future.
This story was originally published by The Spun on Feb 17, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.