After the Buccaneers were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 18, the team has begun turning its attention to the 2026 offseason. One significant question this summer will be whether Tampa Bay can retain its franchise legend, Mike Evans. Amid questions about his future, an NFL analyst recently weighed in with a prediction on where the veteran wide receiver could land.
Where Is Buccaneers WR Mike Evans predicted To land?
On Tuesday afternoon, PFSN analyst Ryan Guthrie discussed potential landing spots for upcoming free agents. Guthrie predicted WRs like George Pickens, Alec Pierce, and Jauan Jennings to all find new homes. However, that was not the case for Evans.
Guthrie was blunt, stating, “Let’s be honest, Mike Evans isn’t leaving.” Evans has been with Tampa Bay since being drafted in the first round in 2014. Across 12 seasons, Evans has posted 866 receptions, 13,052 receiving yards, and 108 touchdowns. Most notably, Evans has recorded 1,000 or more receiving yards in 11 consecutive seasons, an NFL record.
Unfortunately, that streak came to an end in 2025 after missing multiple stretches due to injury. Still, Evans is one of the greatest WRs of this generation, and a firm candidate for the NFL Hall of Fame once retired.
At 32, having already cemented his place in NFL history, many fans have speculated that Evans may retire this offseason. Tampa Bay appears to have taken notice as well, as they selected three WRs in the past two NFL drafts, as well as offering Chris Godwin a long-term extension last March.
Assuming Evans does make his return to football in 2026, the Buccaneers will do everything in their power to bring back their star wideout. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Guthrie described Evans as “one of the most dangerous red-zone and vertical threats in the league.” (Ranked 20th among WRs in 2024, according to PFSN’s NFL WR Impact metric.)
Guthrie then closed by saying, “He and Baker Mayfield have chemistry, and Tampa Bay fans would riot if he walked. Buccaneer for life.” In the past, Evans has stated he wants to be a Buccaneer for life. He, the franchise, and the fanbase likely wouldn’t want it any other way.
Evans should see a one-year contract extension in the range of 15-20 million a year. In what could be his final season in 2026, Evans, Mayfield (Ranked 24th among QBs per PFSN’s NFL QBi), and the rest of the Buccaneers staff will look to make it a very memorable season.
