Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Carlton Davis shed light on — and lit a fire under — the Mike Evans retirement conversation this week.
While at a Super Bowl LX event, the Patriots' cornerback was asked about the future of Evans, "I know he wants to stay, but sometimes it's a business; it doesn't always work out," Davis said. Based on recent drama surrounding Evans' return to Tampa Bay, this quote could be taken in any direction. After all, Evans has spent his entire twelve-year career with the Bucs. Why leave now?
At the very least, this seems like another tidbit proving Evans will return in 2026, just potentially not to Tampa.
Davis spent six seasons in Tampa Bay on the same team as Evans before being traded to the Detroit Lions in March 2024. Recent reports have emerged, creating drama surrounding his decision to sign with the Patriots over the Lions.
Davis speaks from experience when he says it doesn't always work out, and could be disguising a comment about himself to appear as if it's about Evans.
Carlton Davis has some bad news for Buccaneers fans hoping Mike Evans returns next season
While Davis doesn't seem optimistic that Evans will return to Tampa Bay, Baker Mayfield certainly does. All reports indicate he's taking time away to figure it out, but will more than likely run it back one more time in hopes of improving upon his 2025 campaign.
Not only was the collapse of 2025 a difficult pill to swallow from a team perspective, but Evans had a year to forget. He failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career, namely because of his injuries.
Even when he played, he produced the worst yards per game numbers of his career (46). a far drop from the 71 ypg in 2024. This could be because of a multitude of reasons, but it's never happened before. His lowest ypg mark previously was 62 in 2020, the same season he barely surpassed 1,000 yards.
Despite his production flailing, he still commanded targets at an elite level. Evans led the Bucs in targets through five of the seven full games he played this past season, despite the emergence of Emeka Egbuka.
It's hard to imagine Todd Bowles and Co. not wanting Evans returning for one more season in Tampa, so the decision solely lies with Evans.
Regardless of Davis' comment, it seems like Evans will run it back once more in Tampa Bay. Of course, he hasn't made his decision public, but why would the Bucs' greatest receiver of all time go out with such a disappointing season? After four-straight NFC South titles from 2021-2024, the Bucs are only a couple of pieces shy of making the playoffs once again.
If Evans' returns for one more year, the Bucs could go from good to great one more time with No. 13.