The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been on a run of success not seen since the early days of the franchise. A regular playoff team with a Super Bowl win mixed in, Tampa Bay has become one of the more consistent contenders in the NFC. And through it all, one franchise legend has been there the entire way.
Mike Evans, who joined the Bucs long before they became a powerhouse, has spent his entire Hall of Fame-worthy career in Tampa Bay. Now closer to the end than the beginning, talk of retirement—or a possible team change—has started to surface. But Ronde Barber doesn’t see that happening.
Ronde Barber Confirms Mike Evans Will Remain With Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans entered the NFL at 21, after a standout career at Texas A&M where he set several program records. An All-American in his final year, he was selected seventh overall in the 2014 NFL Draft.
Since then, he’s been one of the league’s most reliable receivers, putting up 1,000 yards or more in every season. Last year, his 11th in the NFL, was no different—but it came down to the wire. Evans hit the 1,000-yard mark in Week 18, finishing with 1,004 yards.
Now entering his age-32 season and coming off the final year of his contract, there’s some uncertainty among fans about what’s next.
Barber, though, doesn’t think there’s any chance Evans plays anywhere else.
“Absolutely,” he said when speaking to RG about the situation. “No doubt, I have no doubt in my mind that dude will never wear another jersey unless he unretires unexpectedly after he leaves here.”
“But no, no chance,” Barber added. “There’s very few one-time Bucs players that are that good. Obviously, if you only play a couple years, it’s easy to be a one-team player, but you don’t put in what he’s put in and accomplish what he’s accomplished and go somewhere else and play.”
Barber knows what that kind of loyalty looks like. A 16-year veteran and one of the greatest players in team history, he spent his entire career in Tampa Bay. He earned five All-Pro and Pro Bowl nods and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Bucs.
He’s still the franchise leader in interceptions and holds several NFL records, including most career sacks by a cornerback with 28. He’s also the only player in league history with at least 45 interceptions and 25 sacks—and owns the record for most consecutive starts by a defensive back.
“I’m hoping that’s mutual, hoping he feels that way,” Barber said. “I’m pretty certain the Bucs feel that way, so he’s going to retire a Buc and go to the Hall of Fame as a Buc. It’s unbelievable.”
Time will tell if Barber’s belief plays out. But right now, it’s tough to picture anyone more connected to the Bucs than Mike Evans wearing a different jersey.