Mike Evans is set to explore his options in free agency, and naturally, the star veteran wide receiver is expected to command significant interest on the open market.
The Buccaneers would love to keep him in Tampa Bay and ensure he finishes his career with the team. But there will be appealing options that could both offer Evans a bigger payday and give him a better opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl in the final chapter of his career.
Multiple teams reported to have interest in signing Mike Evans in free agency
NFL insider Jason La Canfora is reporting that multiple teams will be pursuing Evans when the free agency bell rings in March.
Where is Mike Evans going to land? My latest for @Sportsboomcomhttps://t.co/iIjs5E3C0I
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) February 23, 2026
In addition to the Buccaneers trying to re-sign him, La Canfora reports that the 49ers, Chargers, and Patriots are expected to show strong interest.
The Patriots are coming off a 14–3 season that ended in a Super Bowl appearance, establishing themselves as one of the league’s most exciting young contenders. Led by player-friendly head coach Mike Vrabel and rising young quarterback Drake Maye, who was an MVP finalist, New England could offer Evans a compelling opportunity.Â
After spending his first 20 seasons with the Patriots, Tom Brady decided to leave in free agency and further cemented his legacy by winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay. Evans could now follow a similar arc, leaving the franchise where he built his legacy to help push the Patriots over the championship hump after 12 seasons in Tampa Bay.
The 49ers may present the most immediate path to a title. San Francisco has won at least 10 games in four of the past five seasons and has reached the NFC Championship Game three times in that span. With a top tier coaching staff, talented roster and a proven playoff track record, they could offer Evans the clearest championship window among the teams reportedly interested.
The Chargers are also an intriguing option. Los Angeles has posted 11-win seasons in back-to-back years and reached the postseason three times in the last four seasons. Perhaps most enticing is the chance to play alongside one of the league’s premier quarterbacks in Justin Herbert, a pairing that could be especially appealing for a receiver still performing at an elite level.
Mike Evans seems to be seriously considering leaving the Buccaneers
Bucs fans could be particularly concerned with one aspect of the report, which seems to indicate just how seriously Evans is considering leaving Tampa Bay for a better fit in free agency.
“Those sources are adamant that Evans is closely studying the offenses, both quarterback, scheme and acumen of the offensive coordinator/play caller, and prioritizing those matters, along with the opportunity to win another Super Bowl, of course," wrote La Canfora.
Losing Evans would be a massive blow to the organization. He’s the best offensive player in franchise history and is universally beloved by the fanbase. Prior to an injury-riddled 2025 season, he had recorded 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and was the heart and soul of the team.
It’s difficult to accept the reality that Evans could finish his career wearing any other uniform, but it’s happened before with iconic players in franchise history. Warren Sapp, a Bucs Ring of Honor member and Hall of Famer, finished his career with the Oakland Raiders and fellow Hall of Famer John Lynch spent his final years with the Denver Broncos.
The Buccaneers would love nothing more than to prevent that outcome with Evans, but with him clearly weighing his options that will include no shortage of appealing suitors, the front office will have their work cut out for them trying to keep the franchise icon in Tampa Bay.