Mike Evans’ contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will expire after this season, leaving fans and media members to speculate that he will announce his retirement whenever the team’s season is over.
Knowing it’s a possibility that Evans could be playing his last game, Buccaneers fans have been making sure to show their appreciation for the franchise legend.
Evans acknowledged at a Tuesday meet and greet that fans have been thanking him as if he has already announced his retirement. However, the receiver laughed at that notion while speaking with the media, and simply said, “we’ll see.” In other words, the veteran wideout could be returning for another season next year.
Video: Mike Evans says Bucs fans were thanking him today as if he were retiring and “writing me off like I’m done after this one … we’ll see.” pic.twitter.com/pRVjzI9YtM
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 30, 2025
Mike Evans leaves the door open on a possible return in 2026
Evans is 32 years old, has played 12 years in the NFL, won a Super Bowl, set records, and put together a Hall-of-Fame résumé, so it would make sense if he’s ready to hang up the cleats. The receiver is also still playing at a productive level, so it’s understandable if he wants to come back — especially after the way the 2025 season unfolded.
While the Buccaneers still have a chance to make the make the postseason in Week 18, the season has been disastrous for the team, entering the final week of the regular season at 7-9. It has also been a nightmare season for Evans, as multiple injuries have limited him to just seven games on the year. Because of the limited action, the wide receiver only has 28 receptions for 334 yards and three touchdowns.
The injury that kept Evans out the longest was a collarbone injury, and the wideout admitted the time on the sideline was a nice reminder of how much he misses the game when he isn’t playing. Evans was honest about how that could factor into his decision of if his career will continue. The Buccaneers would certainly love if it did. While Tampa Bay has already found some talented receivers for the post-Evans era, there is no replacing Mike Evans.
Additionally, the Buccaneers would love to give the legend a better send off than this year. An appropriate send off could still happen this season, but it would take things going the Bucs’ way in Week 18, and a miraculous turnaround to put together a postseason run.