A breakup between Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seems more likely than ever before
After spending a week at the NFL combine, NBC Sports' Matthew Berry believes Evans will have a new home in 2026, with the Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles as potential landing spots.
"Speaking of Mike Evans, I truly believe he’ll be in a new uniform next year. The Buccaneers love him, but given the commitment they made to Chris Godwin last year and a deep young WR room, Tampa Bay is okay letting him go elsewhere. I heard Buffalo as a potential landing spot for Evans and possibly Philly if the Eagles decide to move A.J. Brown," Berry wrote.
Evans appeared in just eight games in 2025 due to a shoulder injury, tallying 368 yards and three touchdowns. As a result, the 32-year-old's streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons came to an end.
Though injuries held back Evans this season, he can still be an impactful playmaker and a savvy veteran presence. The Bills, Eagles, and even the San Francisco 49ers make sense as possible suitors for the six-time Pro Bowler in free agency.
Buffalo needs to add a top-end receiver for quarterback Josh Allen, and Evans could be that guy. The Texas A&M product would be a dominant red-zone threat if he caught passes from Allen.
Receiver is going to become a dire need for San Francisco, especially when Brandon Aiyuk is cut loose, and if Jauan Jennings departs in free agency. Evans would actually be an upgrade over Jennings and give quarterback Brock Purdy a big-bodied pass-catcher on the perimeter.
Philadelphia would be a wild-card for Evans. The only reason the Eagles would pursue the future Hall of Famer is if they trade A.J. Brown, which isn't totally out of the realm of possibilities.
We'll see where Evans ends up playing in 2026, but it looks like the former first-round pick may be leaving Tampa Bay after 12 seasons for a change of scenery.
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