The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are approaching a defining offseason. Mike Evans’ future remains unsettled as he nears free agency, and while the franchise has expressed interest in bringing him back, his agent made it clear that roster ambition will matter just as much as dollars.
Mike Evans’ Agent Says Maxx Crosby Trade Would Influence WR’s Return to Tampa Bay
Appearing on 95.7 WDAE, Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore was asked whether a major acquisition, specifically trading for Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, would impact Evans’ decision.
“I think anything, and I’m not just giving you some line of crap, he wants to win,” Gilmore said. “So clearly, if they got like a Maxx Crosby, OK, you know, I think clearly that would be something that is gonna make Mike wanna think about and just say, OK. Yeah, absolutely.”
Gilmore added that Tampa Bay would still need to present a strong overall plan, but his point was made. A move of that magnitude would send a message.
Evans’ situation is delicate. The 32-year-old wide receiver is the only player in NFL history to begin his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. That streak ended last year as injuries limited him to eight games, and he finished 65th in PFSN’s WR Impact Rankings. He will turn 33 before the 2026 season and is set to become an unrestricted free agent unless an extension is finalized.
This week at the NFL Scouting Combine, general manager Jason Licht said the team would love to have Evans back, but he acknowledged Evans has earned the right to test the market. Licht also admitted he is unsure whether Tampa Bay would get the chance to match outside offers.
ESPN Trade Proposal Shows What an Aggressive Move Would Cost Tampa Bay
Here is where Crosby comes in.
ESPN analyst Ben Solak recently proposed a trade framework that would send Crosby to Tampa Bay in exchange for Chris Godwin Jr., the No. 15 overall pick in 2026, and a 2027 second-round selection. Crosby is under contract on a three-year, $106.5 million extension and is one of the league’s most disruptive edge rushers.
Even in a season shortened by injury, Crosby recorded 10 sacks in 15 games and earned his fifth Pro Bowl selection in 2025. He ranked second in PFSN’s Edge Impact Metric and has topped double-digit sacks in four consecutive seasons.
For Tampa Bay, the appeal is obvious. The Buccaneers have not had a player reach 10 sacks since 2021. Stabilizing the pass rush has been a recurring issue, and Crosby would address it immediately.
The financial component is manageable. Las Vegas would incur roughly $5.1 million in dead cap while saving more than $30 million, and Tampa Bay would be signaling an all-in approach to competing in the NFC South.
Gilmore’s message was that if Tampa Bay wants Evans to view 2026 as a serious Super Bowl window, a bold move like acquiring Crosby would strengthen the case.
The Buccaneers must decide how aggressive they are willing to be. Evans is watching
