Mike Evans’ Best Fit
February 19th, 2026
Home cooking.
Joe feels panic in the air from Bucs fans. Joe doesn’t think there is any reason to wig out.
Sure, when folks hear that Mike Evans plans to sniff around other good teams to decide where he will play football this fall, that gets fans nervous.
Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, is a known fearmonger, and he shared Evans’ plans this week.
The only worry Joe has with Evans possibly leaving is that Evans might think the defensive meltdown against Atlanta that basically cost the Bucs a playoff berth will be the norm in 2026.
In other words, Joe guesses Todd Bowles is going to have to sell Evans that Bowles will make the defense better.
Because of this week’s news that Evans is expected to shop around, there are all kinds of stories about his best landing spot. Karl Rasmussen of SI.com says that is in Tampa.
Just because Evans is going to explore his options in free agency doesn’t mean his departure is inevitable. Leaving the organization where he’s spent his entire career will be a difficult decision, and if he doesn’t receive a substantial offer in free agency he could very well opt to return to Tampa Bay in 2026.
The Buccaneers have been to the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, missing out in 2025 for the first time since 2019. Although the team underperformed last year, the playoffs are very much in reach for Tampa Bay. The team has strong pieces in place, with a solid offensive line and one of the game’s best quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, foundations not every team can offer to the 32-year-old this offseason.
Yeah, Joe doesn’t see Evans to a team with no recent history of making the playoffs. If he’s going anywhere, it is likely to a place that has a veteran stud quarterback (Chiefs, Bills) or a team close to his home in the Houston area that has a ferocious defense, an OK young quarterback and a dire need for a receiver (Texans).
Evans might just be better off where he started. Right here with the Bucs.