Buccaneers moved one step closer to re-signing Mike Evans after DJ Moore trade

As Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans prepares to enter free agency next week, the Buffalo Bills have been floated as one of the best fits for the veteran wide receiver. That might have just changed after the Bills traded for

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN laid out some criteria that Evans is looking for in his next team, which included a quarterback he believes in, a chance to compete for a Super Bowl, a proven play caller, and a promise of high-volume touches.

The Bills checked all those boxes, as Buffalo presented the opportunity to catch passes from Josh Allen and play for a perennial playoff contender while stepping in as the immediate WR1. But with Buffalo’s most recent move, they’ve all but taken themselves out of the running.

Bills trading for DJ Moore takes them out of the Mike Evans sweepstakes

The Buffalo Bills recently traded for DJ Moore, a move that dramatically reshapes their wide receiver room and likely eliminates the need to pursue Evans in free agency.

Moore signed a four-year, $110 million contract with the Chicago Bears back in 2024, paying him an average annual salary of $27.5 million through 2029. That’s a significant financial commitment, and one that makes it difficult to justify pursuing another high-priced veteran receiver.

With Evans projected to earn somewhere around $18 million per year on the open market per PFF, the math doesn't make sense for Buffalo. Allocating that much cap space to two veteran wide receivers would be difficult to justify, especially with other roster needs to address.

Moore’s arrival likely fills the exact role Evans would have been brought in to play. Moore immediately becomes a focal point of Buffalo’s passing attack, reducing both the need and the available targets for another marquee receiver.

For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, this development could prove to be a big deal, as the Bills have been one of the teams most commonly linked to Evans early in the offseason.

The Bucs will still have their work cut out for them when it comes to keeping Evans, as several intriguing options remain. Teams like the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers have reportedly expressed interest, and both offer appealing situations as Evans looks to chase another Super Bowl ring.

Still, Buffalo always felt like one of the cleanest fits based on what Evans is reportedly looking for. The chance to pair with an elite quarterback like Allen while stepping into a major role on a contender made the Bills a natural landing spot.

Now, that possibility appears to be off the table.

For the Buccaneers, having one of the most logical suitors step out of the race is undeniably good news as the organization works to make sure the franchise icon finishes his career in Tampa Bay.