While the Buccaneers remain a possibility, the 49ers, Patriots, and Chargers also stand out as fits. He will be selective about his approach to the process and is weighing certain criteria very heavily as he negotiates what could be his final NFL contract.
Evans dealt with fluke injuries last season, which precluded him from posting a ridiculous 12th straight 1000-yard season with Tampa, and there remains mutual interest between him and the club.
But he is interested in exploring several reasonable options according to some close to him, believes he has more 1,000-yard seasons in him and is looking to be more than an ancillary cog in any offense he goes to.
Those sources are adamant that Evans is closely studying the offenses, both quarterback, scheme, and acumen of the offensive coordinator/play caller, and prioritizing those matters, along with the opportunity to win another Super Bowl, of course.
There are not too many teams that meet those qualifications in the NFL, but besides Tampa, which feels like far from a lock, the 49ers, Patriots and Chargers standout (the Eagles would as well, were they to trade veteran receiver AJ Brown as many anticipate).
It was clear to executives from several teams that watched Evans last season that Tampa’s offense suffered from a deficient play caller and quarterback Baker Mayfield was hobbled much of the season, too, limiting the scope of the passing game.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the game’s elite offensive minds and the team will head into the offseason parting with Brandon Aiyuk and already moved on from longtime stalwart pass catcher Deebo Samuel the season prior.
“He’s still a dog,” one personnel executive said from a team that would have interest in Evans but lacks a caliber of quarterback to likely fit his needs.
“He can still help you win football games. He’s a winning football player.”