Tampa Bay Buccaneers star wide receiver Mike Evans has decided that he will play in his 13th NFL season this upcoming season.
Evans will not retire and plans to return to the gridiron in 2026. ESPN’s Kimberly Martin shared via X.
“WR Mike Evans WILL return in 2026, wrote Martin. “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.”
Evans is set to be an unrestricted free agent on March 11.
At the end of the 2025 season, Evans said he would think about what he’ll do next in regards to his football future.
“I just approach it how I always approach it,” Evans said. “It’s whatever happens, happens. I’ll focus on that when the time is right. Right now, we have to win. And I’m always giving my all and I’m always gonna go out swinging.”
Can Mike Evans Bounce Back After a Injury-Plagued Season?
It was a tough go for Evans this past season. He was forced to miss six games with a broken collarbone. Surprisingly enough, it was the first time in his career that he broke a bone. On top of that, Evans missed three games with a hamstring injury.
Evans couldn’t catch a break last season, and it may have cost the Bucs a chance at winning the NFC South. The Buccaneers finished on the outside looking in this season’s playoffs. The 32-year-old finished the season with 30 receptions for 368 yards, three touchdowns and an average of 12.3 yards per reception in eight games.
The Buccanneers drafted the former Texas A&M Aggie with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Evans has panned out an incredible career for himself, which includes 11 consecutive seasons of 1,000 receiving yards. That streak is tied with NFL legend Jerry Rice for the most in the history of the game.
On top of that incredible achievement, Evans is also a two-time All-Pro and a six-time Pro Bowler.
Evans’ future with the Buccaneers is unclear as he is expected to test free agency.
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