After failing to reach the NFL playoffs in his 12th season, many fans began to question whether 32-year-old Mike Evans would return in 2026. However, amid the speculation, the veteran wide receiver finally addressed the situation and provided an update on his NFL future.
Mike Evans’ Agent Reveals, WR Open To Explore His Options
Amid all the uncertainty surrounding Evans’ future in the NFL, Buccaneers beat writer Rick Stroud reported Tuesday afternoon that Evans “plans to play in 2026”. Grimes added that Evans will “explore options in free agency”, as per the WR’s agent, Deryk Gilmore.
According to Stroud, when Evans’ agents were asked whether a return to the Buccaneers was in play, Gilmore stated, “Yes, that’s correct. He is opening it up.” The agent then closed by noting that Evans “will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa but Will definitely play a 13th season.”
In 2025, Evans appeared in just eight games for Tampa Bay. The veteran battled hamstring and collarbone injuries, keeping him sidelined for extended stretches. As a result, his 11-year streak of consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons came to an end.
He finished the season with 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, he posted a 72.1 WR Impact score, ranking 65th among all receivers, the lowest of his career since PFSN began tracking WR Impact in 2019.
Despite the down season, Evans, along with fans and analysts, still believes the 32-year-old WR can produce. In fact, in a recent article, written by PFSN’s Jacob Infante, the analyst named five potential destinations for the future Hall of Famer.
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Infante first mentioned a return to the Buccaneers, stating, “He’s consistently been productive for the franchise, making him one of their biggest stars in recent memory.” He added, “he could return on a one-year deal as a stopgap starter.”
However, Evans may not want to be looked at as a “stopgap starter.” A return to Tampa Bay initially looked obvious, but with his agent’s recent quotes, testing the market could very well do the veteran a favor.
Infante then proposed the Jets, Titans, Steelers, and Broncos as other potential destinations. Of the group, Denver appears the most likely landing spot. The Broncos, an expected Super Bowl contender in 2026, could use another top playmaker like Evans.
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The analyst concluded, “With nearly $29 million in cap space, Denver has enough wiggle room to make a move work if it so chooses.”
Evans should demand between $25 and $30 million this offseason, and while free agency doesn’t begin until March 11, fans will continue speculating on his next home until then. Still, regardless of where Evans ends up, fans will get to enjoy another season of high-level football from a future Hall of Famer.
