WR Mike Evans to Meet with Buccaneers Ahead of Free Agency
Wide receiver Mike Evans is scheduled to meet with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the start of the NFL's free agency period. Evans, a long-time fixture of the team's offense, is set to become a free agent in 2026. The meeting will likely determine if the two sides can reach an agreement on a new contract.
- Mike Evans currently holds an NFL record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin a career, a streak he extended to 11 seasons. This ties him with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons overall in league history. - The receiver is in the final year of a two-year, $41 million contract he signed in March 2024, which included $29 million fully guaranteed. This deal runs through the 2025 season, making him a free agent in 2026. - Evans is the Buccaneers' all-time leader in nearly every major receiving category, including career receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He was a key member of the team that won Super Bowl LV. - The seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Evans has spent his entire 12-season career with Tampa Bay. - Heading into the 2026 offseason, the Buccaneers are projected to have around $43.2 million in salary cap space, with the NFL's 2026 salary cap expected to be over $300 million per team. - Evans is part of a notable group of potential unrestricted free agents for the Buccaneers in 2026, which also includes linebacker Lavonte David, running back Rachaad White, and defensive lineman Logan Hall. - In addition to his 1,000-yard streak, Evans has been selected to the Pro Bowl six times and was named a second-team All-Pro twice, in 2016 and 2023.
