Bills named in Mike Evans rumor that paints bleak outlook for WR's future with Bucs

Mike Moraitis

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Bills named in Mike Evans rumor that paints bleak outlook for WR's future with Bucs image

Mike Evans has never hit the open market during his career, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wideout is more likely to do so than ever in 2026.

Evans will turn 33 next year and is coming off a season in which he was plagued by injury. The Bucs are also pretty well-stocked at wide receiver, with Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan all under contract.

There is also the possibility that Evans might want a change of scenery after yet another disappointing campaign for the Bucs, who fell short of the playoffs after jumping out to a 5-1 record.

According to Essentially Sports' Tony Pauline, the expectation in league circles is that Evans has a "less than 50-50" chance to return to Tampa Bay in 2026 and that his "career with the Buccaneers is likely finished."

Pauline also notes that Evans would "like to go to a contender," and the belief is the Buffalo Bills are "likely to target" the future Hall of Famer.

"Those I’ve spoken with over the past week believe it’s less than 50-50 the veteran wideout re-signs with Tampa and that his career with the Buccaneers is likely finished," Pauline reported. "He’d like to go to a contender and win another title. I figured the New England Patriots would be a good fit, as Evans would be the final piece for their offense, yet people in the know believe the Buffalo Bills are the team likely to target the former All-Pro."

It's hard to envision Evans in any uniform but Tampa Bay's since he has spent his whole career there, but we certainly would not rule it out.

Evans' time in the league is winding down and getting another ring is could be very important to him. The Bucs aren't a bad team by any stretch, but Tampa Bay isn't Evans' best opportunity to win a Super Bowl, either.

With a projected $16.7 million in cap space, the Bucs also have to weigh paying Evans, who could hit a wall in 2026, instead of using those resources to bolster a roster that needs a lot of help elsewhere.

The Bills would be a strong fit. Buffalo desperately needs at least one veteran wide receiver given the sad state of affairs in their current room, and Buffalo can offer Evans a larger role and a better chance to win a Super Bowl than Tampa Bay.

In the past, it would have been shocking to see Evans go elsewhere, but given the circumstances and Pauline's report, it feels like his departure is inevitable.

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