One of the biggest storylines for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason will be what happens to fan favorite wide receiver Mike Evans. Will he remain with the Buccaneers or will he end his career with a different team?
It'd be a weird sight to see Evans in a different team's uniform but it certainly could happen. The Bucs have obviously been trying hard to re-sign their star player but how much money would it take to sway him away from the team that drafted him over a decade ago?
Well, Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated provided his projection for Evans' contract in 2026 and it's something that's absolutely doable for Jason Licht and the Buccaneers to make happen. Manzano and Matt Verderame provided their projected contracts and potential landing spots for the top 50 free agents and had Evans getting a one-year deal worth $15 million.
"Evans missed nine games, but he contributed in the final four games of the season, including a 132-yard performance vs. the Falcons in Week 15. With still plenty to offer, Evans could be set up well for another lucrative contract heading into his age-33 season. Evans’s 11-year streak of recording at least 1,000 receiving yards ended in 2025, but he’s still a quality playmaker."
Buccaneers have no excuse after Mike Evans contract projection
For those wondering where Manzano had Evans landing, yes, the Bucs were one of the two teams there (the 49ers were the other one). The front office is doing their due diligence to keep Evans in the pewter uniforms but, as we know, anything can happen in free agency.
Some might think a $15 million deal for a wide receiver entering his age 33 season might be a bit much but those people clearly aren't Bucs fans and/or haven't seen Evans play. The 2025 season marked the first time in Evans' lengthy and decorated career that he didn't reach 1,000 receiving yards and that's because he missed half the season.
Even with Evans missing nine games, however, he still made a big splash when he was on the field. He's also been such a rockstar for this organization and it'd be a crushing blow to see him in another team's colors. If all it takes to keep Evans in pewter is $15 million for the 2026 season, Licht shouldn't hesitate to sign him for that. He's priceless and has done plenty for this franchise. Whatever it takes, right?