The Tampa Bay Buccaneers now have to get to work with Super Bowl 60 officially in the rearview mirror. The Buccaneers need to figure out how to retool the roster to help them actually make the playoffs instead of missing out via a collapse in the second half of the 2025 season.
There will be some interesting decisions made surrounding some long time players for the franchise, one of them being wide receiver Mike Evans. The 2014 first-round pick had 11 consecutive seasons with 1,000 receiving yards, tying Jerry Rice. Unfortunately for Evans, that streak ended this season after he suffered hamstring and collarbone injuries, limiting him to just eight games. Now, Buccaneers fans wait to see if he will play again and if it will be for Tampa Bay.
FOX Sports' Greg Auman unveiled his Top 100 players available in free agency at the start of the 2026 league year and provided some potential fits. For Evans, Auman says he expects the receiver to end his career with the Buccaneers, but left the door open for him to join a team like the Houston Texans, considering they are near his hometown of Galveston,
"It's likely he finishes his career with the Bucs, but leave open the slim chance he goes somewhere like Houston, close to his hometown of Galveston, with a strong contender he could help," said Auman.
Texans linked to Mike Evans as potential landing spot if WR doesn't return to Buccaneers
It's going to be hard for Buccaneers fans to envision Evans playing for another team. But there is always the possibility another team does make an offer that entices Evans. Specifically a team that are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, such as the Texans. Not to mention, Houston is close to Evans' hometown of Galveston.
For the Texans, they fell short of makign their first Super Bowl in what was a relatively easy path in the AFC. It certainly didn't help that quarterback C.J. Stroud committed five turnovers in the team's Divisional Round loss to the New England Patriots. It certainly didn't help matters that Stroud and the Texans were without Nico Collins due to a concussion. Even so, Houston's passing game could use a boost, and bringing in a receiver like Evans could be the answer.
With there being buzz about whether Evans will play in the 2026 season or retire. Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore, provided an update to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, expressing his belief that the wide receiver still has plenty left in the tank.
"Mike started the season in great shape. Most people in the organization said he probably had the best camp of everyone. He finished feeling better than he has in several seasons. I think his competitive nature leads to more football. That is my hope. Like most fans, I love watching him play," Gilmore said in a statement to Garafolo.
Now the question remains if the Buccaneers and Evans have a mutual desire to finalize a contract for the 2026 season. If either side decides otherwise, the Texans could very well be a team to watch for Evans. That would be a nightmare for Buccaneers fans.