If you were to ask the Buffalo Bills and their fans on what their biggest need is for this offseason, the number one answer should be a true No. 1 wide receiver to pair with Josh Allen. The wide receiver position has been an achilles heel for the team and it’s not only lost them some games, but has also knocked them out of the playoffs.
Brandon Beane really doesn’t have a choice on whether or not the team makes a splash at wide receiver. They must do it, and a recent report that was reported by Kimberley A. Martin from ESPN just may have given the Bills the green light to pursue one of the league’s top pending free agents.
Bills must do everything they can to bring WR Mike Evans to Buffalo
According to Martin, Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans will in fact return for the 2026 season. Martin also said that Evans “*will* explore his free agency options”.
WR Mike Evans WILL return in 2026.
His agents Deryk Gilmore + Darren Jones tell me the future HOFer will play this upcoming season — and *will* explore his free agency options.
One of the league’s most consistent playmakers will be back — but we’ll see if it’ll be w/ the #Bucs
— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) February 17, 2026
The 2025 season was Evans’ first season where he didn’t reach over 1,000 receiving yards and it was due to an injury that kept him out most of the season. Before that, he had reached over 1,000 yards every season and had well over 100 targets. He has put up 108 career touchdowns and played a big role in Tampa Bay winning the Super Bowl in 2020-2021.
Evans has six seasons of double digit touchdowns and is one of those receivers that can create separation and win those 50/50 catches when being single covered. The Bills have lacked the separation ability from their receivers the last couple of seasons.
According to Spotrac, Evans has a market value of $13.3 million, which is not a terrible price considering what type of player he is. If the Bills were willing to pay Joey Bosa $12.6 million last season, paying Evans not even a million more should be no issue.
Evans would immediately become the go-to guy on the outside for Josh Allen, and he is someone that you have to gameplan for. Creating that mismatch on the outside will help open up the rest of the field. While the Bills still need to address this position for the future, bringing in someone like Evans immediately improves the offense and can open up the playbook for Joe Brady.
Bringing in Evans is equivalent to the Bills signing Bosa last offseason; it’s a need that is taken care of and brings immediate stability with the hope that development of younger players stays on track.