Mike Evans to Return for 13th NFL Season, Explore Free Agency
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has announced his intention to play a 13th NFL season in 2026, but will explore his options in free agency, his agent Deryk Gilmore confirmed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The six-time Pro Bowler is coming off an injury-plagued 2025 season where he appeared in only eight games.
Evans’ 2025 Season and Decision
Evans missed 10 games in the 2025 season due to a broken collarbone and a hamstring injury. Despite the setbacks, he took time after the season to consider his future in football, ultimately deciding to return for another year. Gilmore informed the Buccaneers of Evans’ decision on Tuesday, and the two parties will discuss a potential contract extension in the coming weeks. ESPN reports that Evans said in December the collarbone injury made him realize how much he’d miss football.
Free Agency Possibilities
If Evans does not reach an agreement with the Buccaneers, he will be able to negotiate with other teams when the free agent negotiating period begins on March 9, 2026, at noon ET. He could officially sign with a new team as early as March 11, 2026. NFL.com notes that Evans’ agent stated, “He is opening it up. He will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa. But he will definitely play a 13th season.”
Previous Contract and Career Highlights
In 2024, Evans signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers worth up to $52 million, with $35 million guaranteed. He has spent his entire 12-year NFL career with Tampa Bay, drafted seventh overall in 2014. Evans has 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. He previously held a streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start his career, which was interrupted by his injury-shortened 2025 season. He won Super Bowl LV with the Buccaneers in 2021.
Buccaneers’ Situation
The Buccaneers finished the 2025 season with an 8-9 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl-winning 2020 season. Evans will account for $13 million in dead cap in 2026 due to void years in his current contract. The New York Post reports that the team opted to retain head coach Todd Bowles but dismissed five assistant coaches as part of an offseason overhaul.