There are many questions surrounding the Bucs this offseason. Since they’ve found an offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, the coaching search will slow down a little while attention shifts to the roster for the 2026 season.

When it comes to Tampa Bay’s roster on offense, there’s no bigger question than if star wide receiver Mike Evans will return for a 13th season. It was as tough of a year that Evans has had in his career last season as it was mostly impacted by injury.

A hamstring injury that he suffered in Week 3 kept him out until Week 7. When he returned for that game on Monday Night Football, Evans broke his collarbone and had a concussion as he was diving for a ball. He toughed it out and was able to return late in the season in Week 15, having some good games, but it was the first year of his career where he didn’t record 1,000-yards, ending a historic streak.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

It kept him tied with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the NFL record of most 1,000-yard seasons in a row with 12. He finished the season playing in eight games, recording 30 catches for 368 and three touchdowns.

So, is that the way Evans wants to go out? The future Hall of Famer didn’t commit one way or the other toward the end of the season when asked about his future. If anything, Evans has sounded more like a player who wants to keep going than one who is ready to call it a career.

Bruce Arians Predicts Mike Evans, Lavonte David’s Potential Retirement

Evans is a pending free agent. There’s always a possibility that he could sign with a team that’s in a better position to win a Super Bowl, or go to the Houston Texans, which is the closest NFL team to his hometown of Galveston, Texas. But it would difficult to believe that he’s signing anywhere besides back with the Bucs.

That means what it really comes down to is whether Evans is returning to Tampa or retiring? There’s a Bucs Ring Of Honor Member who has ties to Mike Evans who would be “shocked” if the greatest offensive player in Bucs history decided to retire, and that was his former head coach Bruce Arians. The coach famously known as “BA” made an appearance on Kay Adams’ “Up & Adams Show” and spoke on what he think will happen with Evans’ decision, along with his belief that inside linebacker Lavonte David will retire.

Bucs head coach Bruce Arians – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I don’t know about Mike,” Arians said. “I think Lavonte probably is going to retire, but I never count him out. He goes back every year, so how he’s feeling, and the guy’s amazing. He just stays in great shape. I think Mike, I would be shocked if Mike retires.”

It makes more sense that Arians would think David retires before Evans. David just finished his 14th season and recently turned 36 years old. His linebacker position is likely more physically taxing as the Bucs’ defense requires him to be on the field every play, where receivers can be shuffled in and out and used more situationally, which has helped preserve Evans’ longevity.

David himself is in the conversation for the Hall of Fame, but Evans can still reach some more stats that would put him top 10 all time in certain receiving categories like receiving yards and touchdowns.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: USA Today

Arians coached Evans and David for three seasons. He’s been a long supporter of each player. Since Arians always speaks how he feels, the notion does feel like David rides off into the sunset while Evans continues for at least another season in red and pewter.

Arians Comments On Mayfield-Stefanski Saga

Although Arians didn’t coach Baker Mayfield, he’s certainly a fan of him. Mayfield made waves recently as he took a direct jab at Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, dissing him for how he handled Mayfield’s departure from Cleveland without even talking to him after the move was done.

Mayfield has a fiery attitude. Bucs fans already knew that but saw it up front since the day he came to Tampa. That’s a trait that Arians can relate to. The Super Bowl champion head coach sided with Mayfield over his gripe of the situation.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“I definitely think when you trade a player away, you talk to him. I don’t think its a silent treatment for sure. I can see how Baker feels. I’d feel the same way if I was him.’

Check out Arians’ full interview with Adams by clicking this link.

Arians also joined the Pewter Report Podcast during the season, where he talked about his favorite moments as a Bucs coach, what he thinks of the today’s game, and how his Super Bowl winning Tampa Bay team would do against Jon Gruden’s original Bucs super Bowl winning team in a hypothetical matchup.

Watch the episode and subscribe to our YouTube channel, PewterReportTV.