Mike Evans will one day walk into Canton as a Pro Football Hall of Famer.
But when? That'll depend in part on when he decides to retire from the NFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
An injury-plagued season for Evans has brought the idea of his retirement more into the forefront, and it's something that people seem to acknowledge is on its way.
He's also a free agent after this season, which adds another layer to the decision-making process.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler added this insight to the matter in a blurb on Friday:
"He is a top priority because he's a timeless offensive playmaker. Evans turned 32 in August and is out for an extended period because of a broken collarbone. Retirement is on the table, but he is still a force when healthy. It's hard to envision him playing in any other color but Bucs pewter next season. The Bucs would like to keep their core together, a preference that will be tested with free agent tight end Cade Otton as well."
Evans' streak of consecutive 1,000-yard seasons is being snapped this year, but he's been one of the best wide receivers on the planet since he entered the NFL more than a decade ago.
Even now, when healthy, he's a matchup nightmare, still plenty big, strong and fast enough to create headaches for opposing defenses.
That'd be a desirable set of traits for another team to get in free agency, but based on that ESPN report, it doesn't seem like Evans will leave Tampa Bay.
But will he back to play for the Bucs in 2026? That still appears to be an open question.
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