By DANIEL MATTHEWS, US SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
Published: 07:52 EST, 18 February 2026 | Updated: 07:57 EST, 18 February 2026
NFL star Mike Evans has no plans to retire, even as he heads towards free agency at the age of 32.
The legendary wide receiver has spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was drafted seventh overall in 2014 and helped them win Super Bowl LV in February 2021.
Evans signed a two-year, $41million contract with the Buccaneers back in 2024. That deal ended at the close of the 2025 season, casting doubt over the receiver's NFL future.
But on Tuesday, Evans' agent told ESPN that he will return for the 2026 season, even though it remains to be seen where the 32-year-old will end up.
Evans is the Bucs' all-time leading scorer, having amassed 114 touchdowns over the past 12 seasons in Tampa Bay.
But he played only eight games across the 2025 campaign after battling a broken collarbone and an injury to his hamstring.
NFL star Mike Evans has no plans to retire, even as he heads towards free agency at 32
The wide receiver has spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
According to ESPN, Evans recently took some time to decide his next move and on Tuesday, his agent, Deryk Gilmore, told the Bucs he intends to play on.
It is expected that Evans and the Buccaneers will soon enter into negotiations over a possible contract extension in Tampa Bay.
Should he want to play elsewhere, Evans must wait for the free agent negotiation period, which begins on March 9. Only then could Gilmore talk with other teams, with Evans free to officially sign elsewhere from March 11.
The legendary wide receiver has previously said he wants to be a 'Buc for life' but Tampa Bay missed out on the playoffs in 2025.
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