Given his well-earned status as a franchise legend, Mike Evans is fittingly bound to be a big part of the Bucs’ 50th season as a franchise in 2025.

Evans, who was drafted by Tampa Bay with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, was only in his second season when the franchise celebrated its 40th season in 2015. Now, heading into Year 12 of his career, he’s excited about the team they have and is looking forward to making the 50th season special season for multiple reasons.

“I’m just happy that we have a really great team,” Evans said Tuesday. “We’re using this training camp to put everything together to have one of the best seasons for the 50th. I’m excited to put on a great show for y’all.”

Evans said that in response to a question about what it means for him as a Buccaneer great to be a part of the franchise’s 50th season. Anyone who has followed Evans’ career to this point shouldn’t be surprised that his response ultimately pointed back toward the fans, whose support he has greatly appreciated over the years.

Bucs WR Mike Evans Photo by: USA Today

“They’ve always had my back,” Evans said. “Even when I was having down years early in my career or bad games, they’ve always shown love and had my back. That’s all I could ask for as a player.”

Could Bucs’ 50th Season Be The Last Of Mike Evans’ Storied Career?

No Buccaneer fan wants to think about it, but Mike Evans’ time in red, white and pewter will come to an end sooner rather than later. He signed a two-year contract after the 2023 season to remain in Tampa, and 2025 is the second year of that deal.

He’s currently set to be a free agent after this season, and while there’s always the possibility of going year-to-year the way fellow Bucs legend Lavonte David has in recent years, a reality could exist where Tampa Bay has a great season – perhaps a Super Bowl season – and he surpasses Jerry Rice with a 12th straight consecutive season to own the all-time NFL record for himself.

In that reality, Evans could certainly opt to go out on top. He turns 32 on Aug. 21, after all, and going out with a second Super Bowl ring and an NFL record in the 50th season of the only team he has ever played for as a pro? That would be a storybook ending, wouldn’t it? Not every athlete gets a chance at that kind of ending.

Bucs WR Mike Evans in Super Bowl 55 – Photo by: USA Today

But right now, the greatest offensive player in franchise history is feeling great and choosing to focus on the present, not the future – and not his contract situation beyond this season.

“I’m getting up there in experience. Obviously, this is my 12th season,” Evans said. “I’ve been [one of] the oldest or the most experienced Buc for the past couple of seasons now since Tom [Brady] left. “I feel pretty great, though. I feel pretty great. As I’m getting older, I’m just focusing on what’s in front of me, and that’s this season.”

So, does the uncertainty about 2026 and beyond make him more aware of everything going on around him that he may have taken for granted otherwise?

“I just feel like I’m more grateful,” he said. “I’ve always been grateful, but I have a different type of gratitude as I’m getting up there in experience. Watching the young guys, that motivates me. And winning motivates me.”

Mike Evans Excited To Wear Bucs’ New Throwback Jersey In 2025

In celebration of the Bucs’ 50th season, the team recently unveiled a new throwback uniform that it will wear for its Week 3 home opener against the Jets, as well as a Week 5 road game in Seattle against the Seahawks.

Mike Evans came into the league during Tampa Bay’s alarm clock uniform era and has since worn the reimagined version of the 1997-2013 uniform and the pewter alternates that debuted in 2020, as well as the creamsicle throwbacks, which returned in 2023.

Now, Evans will get to add another uniform to the list of those he’s worn throughout his career, as he’ll get two chances to wear the Bucs’ 1976 throwbacks this season.

Bucs 1976 throwback uniforms – Photo by: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

“Fire. They’re fire,” he said Tuesday about the new throwbacks. “I’m excited to wear those jerseys. I’m excited. I missed the creamsicle [game] last year. I’m gonna make sure I wear this one and the creamsicle.”

Evans missed last year’s creamsicle game, a Week 8 loss to the Falcons, with an injury he suffered in Week 7. It’s clear he’s on a mission not only to wear the new white throwbacks in Weeks 3 and 5, but also be on the field when Tampa Bay wears its orange creamsicle throwbacks in Week 15 against Atlanta.

All the while, Evans will be chasing history – as he’s gotten used to doing. But at the same time, the future Pro Football Hall of Famer and Bucs Ring of Honor member will focus more on what’s driven him to greatness in the past – winning.