The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a bit of a surprising selection with the 19th-overall pick in the 2025 Draft, selecting wide receiver Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka is a talented receiver out of Ohio State, and has been one of the darlings of the pre-draft process. From an ability standpoint, he’s a great selection.
However, with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan already on the roster, this can be viewed as a luxury pick. Or it could be viewed as a sign of something more, like Mike Evans’ time with the Bucs nearing a end.
Fans wonder how much longer Mike Evans will play after Buccaneers select Emeka Egbuka
Evans will be 32 years old when next season starts, and 2025 will be his 12th season in the NFL. However, the six-time Pro Bowler has shown no signs of slowing down. Playing in just 14 games in 2024 because of a hamstring injury, he still put up 74 receptions for 1,004 yards and 11 touchdowns.
However, no NFL career is immortal, regardless of how great a player is. Evans is undoubtedly closer to the end of his career than the beginning. His retirement may not come after this season or the next, but it’s safe to assume it’s relatively around the corner.
The same can be said for Chris Godwin, who is only 29 years old, and has been in the league for eight years. While a few years younger than Evans, he has had a couple of significant lower-body injuries. While he did just sign a new three-year deal, his time with the team could end around the same time as Evans’.
The Bucs are preparing for that day by drafting Egbuka. He’ll start his career by learning from Evans and Godwin, and contributing in a smaller role. Once those two franchise staples move on, Egbuka will be the guy if he pans out like the Buccaneers think he will.