{"id":717092,"date":"2026-01-30T18:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/717092\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T18:04:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T18:04:17","slug":"baker-mayfield-sends-strong-message-about-mike-evans-amid-exit-rumors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/717092\/","title":{"rendered":"Baker Mayfield sends strong message about Mike Evans amid exit rumors"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield heard all the rumors about teammate Mike Evans potentially leaving the team soon. The wide receiver, whose historic NFL record run came to an end after he suffered a brutal injury in Week 7, has been mentioned in plenty of rumors recently.<\/p>\n

Mayfield, who has made the rounds with his comments, too, reacted to the possibility of seeing one of his top targets join a different team in the 2026 NFL free agency during an appearance on \u201cThe Ronde Barber Show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHere\u2019s the thing,\u201d Mayfield said, via<\/a> Around the NFL. \u201cI don\u2019t have to really plea with it, because Mike\u2019s too much of a competitor and cares too much about Tampa to end his career without 1,000 yards, without a division championship, without a playoff run. And that, first of all, speaks to who Mike is.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut that\u2019s the truth. And you know, he doesn\u2019t want to do that. You could just kind of feel it. And listen, I don\u2019t have any info. I told Mike, \u2018This is your decision. Take your time doing it.\u2019 But understanding who Mike is, that is my guess, that he didn\u2019t want it to end this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans created a terrific duo in Tampa Bay\"\"Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Mike Evans has had a terrific 12-year NFL career. He won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady and recorded 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons before things went south in 2025. His partnership with Mayfield has been remarkable, too.<\/p>\n

They have connected for 24 touchdowns in 2023 and 2024. Mayfield had to lean on rookie Emeka Egbuka early in the season, which might have opened the door for the Bucs to move on from Evans. Even so, Mayfield doesn\u2019t want the 32-year-old wideout to leave, but the decision doesn\u2019t fall on him.<\/p>\n

Teams like the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills could land a proven veteran like Evans to add more firepower to their offenses.<\/p>\n

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