When it comes to the all time greats in Bucs history, Mike Evans is immediately in the conversation. He is without question the best offensive player in franchise history and is on many fans’ Mount Rushmore. Evans has spent 12 seasons with the Bucs and it sounds like he wants to keep playing. The problem is, there’s a chance that Evans could pursue another team with a better chance to win next season rather than return to Tampa Bay.

According to a report from Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, its “less than 50-50” that Evans is back with the Bucs. The reasoning behind it is that Evans wants to win another Super Bowl title and doesn’t feel that the Bucs give him the chance to do so. Here’s what Pauline said about it.

Mike Evans Not Guaranteed To Bucs

“On the other end is Mike Evans, the 12-year veteran who has spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At 31 years of age, Evans has struggled with injury in the past two seasons and played in just eight games last year, catching 30 passes. Those I’ve spoken with over the past week believe it’s less than 50-50 the veteran wideout re-signs with Tampa and that his career with the Buccaneers is likely finished. He’d like to go to a contender and win another title.

I figured the New England Patriots would be a good fit, as Evans would be the final piece for their offense, yet people in the know believe the Buffalo Bills are the team likely to target the former All-Pro.”

Its hard to argue that the Bucs are a better spot for Evans in 2026 than the Patriots and Bills. New England is playing in the Super Bowl next week and Buffalo is a constant title with Josh Allen as their quarterback. Tampa Bay has a weaker division in the NFC South, but Todd Bowles is firmly on the hot seat after a 8-9 season, failing to reach the postseason.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

While it’s difficult to come to grips with the idea of Evans playing for anyone else besides the Bucs, what everyone knows is that Mike Evans wants to win before anything else. Like Pauline said in his story, injuries took it’s toll on Evans last season and he just played in eight games.

Is It Legitimate That Mike Evans Could Leave The Bucs Next Season?

Maybe Mike Evans feels it’s time to turn to the page to a new chapter with another team. His NFL  record streak of 11 consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards, tied with Jerry Rice, ended in year 12. He holds pretty much every single record on offense in Bucs history, including catches (836) receiving yards (12,864), total touchdowns (106), and points scored (644). There’s not much more he can accomplish while in Tampa besides winning another championship.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Yes, he can move up the career rankings in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, but those stats will count for any team that he’s on. The Bucs are heading into the 2026 offseason with a change on offense coming in form of new offensive coordinator. But some change that they don’t want to see is Evans leave Tampa Bay. He’s an icon to the franchise and community. Only so many of the Bucs legends, such as Lee Roy Selmon, Derrick Brooks, Rondé Barber and Mike Alstott have spent their career with just the Bucs. The hope was that Evans would be another.

There is always the hope that Evans likes the idea of playing for one more team for the rest of his career. And because this is a report, Evans can change is mind or still choose to come back to Tampa Bay based on what they do in free agency in the draft. Bucs won’t like hearing that Evans may want to play somewhere else. But its a reality that many should at least prepare for.

Check out Pauline’s entire article by clicking this link.