The Cleveland Browns are expected to pursue Mike Evans in free agency.
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The Cleveland Browns are expected to pursue Mike Evans in free agency.
The Cleveland Browns are expected to be among several teams pursuing six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans when free agency opens.
Evans, who has spent his entire 12-year career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is set to hit the open market on Monday. The Browns will see if they can get his attention, according to Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com.
“Bucs six-time Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans is set to hit the free agent market on Monday, and the Browns are expected to be among the multiple teams interested,” Cabot said. “Of Evans’ suitors, the Browns make more sense than some, in part because the future Hall of Famer flourished with new Browns head coach Todd Monken as his offensive coordinator in Tampa, and would welcome the opportunity to be reunited with him.”
Evans Thrived Under Monken in Tampa Bay
The Monken-Evans pairing produced some of the best seasons of the receiver’s career. Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, said that Evans plans to play in 2026 and will explore all of his options. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Evans has four criteria for his next team: a quarterback he believes in, a chance to compete for a Super Bowl, a top-shelf offensive coordinator and the promise of high-volume touches.
Whether Cleveland checks enough of those boxes remains to be seen. But the familiarity between Evans and Monken could give the Browns an edge.
Evans was limited to eight games in 2025 due to hamstring and collarbone injuries, finishing with 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns. The injuries ended his streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, which had tied Jerry Rice for the longest such streak in NFL history.
Berry Acknowledges Browns Need More Weapons at Receiver
Cleveland’s wide receiver room was one of the worst in the NFL in 2025. The Browns’ passing attack ranked 31st in the league. Jerry Jeudy — the Browns’ No. 1 receiver — regressed from a 1,229-yard breakout in 2024 to just 50 receptions for 602 yards.
Cedric Tillman added 21 catches for 270 yards, rookie Isaiah Bond had 18 catches for 338 yards, and Malachi Corley contributed 11 receptions for 79 yards.
General manager Andrew Berry acknowledged the need to upgrade at the NFL Combine in late February, though he also expressed confidence in some of the younger pieces.
“I think we can add all across the offense to be honest,” Berry said. “We’re really pleased with some of the younger players we have. Jerry is gonna be a big part of it and we’re pleased with Isaiah’s (Bond) rookie year but that doesn’t mean we can’t add to the arsenal. Malachi (Corley), he carved out a nice role.”
The Browns have also been exploring trade avenues to add receiver help. Reports have linked Cleveland to inquiries on New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Berry also has 10 draft picks at his disposal, including two first-rounders, and has met with several top receiver prospects, including Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson, and Washington’s Denzel Boston.