The New England Patriots are headed back to the drawing board after coming up just short of winning a Super Bowl last season. One of the top areas of need for the Pats this offseason is at wide receiver, and while they have several candidates they could look to pursue, one guy they have already been linked to in free agency is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass catcher Mike Evans.
Prior to the 2025 campaign, Evans had been one of the most consistent wide receivers in NFL history, as he recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 pro seasons. Evans only suited up in eight games last season, so that streak unsurprisingly came to an end. And yet, while he’s set to turn 33 in August, Evans still profiles as one of the top deep-ball threats in the league, making him a potential target for N.E.
“Mike Evans, a standout receiver in this year’s free agent class, is carefully considering his next move as negotiations heat up,” Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reported. “Despite interest from Tampa, Evans is exploring other options with a focus on offenses, quarterback quality, and chances to win a Super Bowl. He remains a top-tier receiver and could be a game-changer for teams like the 49ers, Patriots, and Chargers.”
Even when accounting for Stefon Diggs (who the team could move on from this offseason), New England needs to get Drake Maye more help in the passing game. Evans’ height makes him a fantastic deep threat, and while his age is concerning, his value will likely be lower since he didn’t do much in 2025 (30 REC, 368 YDS, 3 TD).
Evans can’t be the only wide receiver the Pats bring to town this offseason, but if Diggs departs, he could be a potential replacement for him. New England shouldn’t go crazy when it comes to its potential pursuit of Evans, but if the price is right, he could be a similar sort of bounce-back candidate to what Diggs was for the team this past season.
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