CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones has some news that Bucs fans won’t want to hear regarding wide receiver Mike Evans.
On Sunday, March 8, the day before the free agency legal tampering period begins, Jones reported that his sources have told him that Evans’ time in Tampa Bay is going to be coming to an end.
“The Buccaneers have wanted to keep him,” Jones said. “I think there’s a possibility that if Mike Evans gets offered somewhere, that he could take that offer back to Tampa Bay and say, ‘Hey, what do you want here?’ But according to multiple sources that I’ve spoken to, for all intents and purposes, Mike Evans’ career as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer – until he signs a one-day contract to retire as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer – is over. He will be playing somewhere else in 2026 and perhaps beyond.”
Jones continued.
“It’s interesting because they had this dance a couple of years ago, and folks with Tampa Bay felt encouraged they would be able to get a deal done. They did. But now that he is about to hit free agency, there’s a different tone. The Buccaneers were waiting, hoping that they could retain Mike Evans, but ultimately it does appear — almost certain — that he is going to be signing elsewhere,” Jones said.
According to Jones, Evans, who turns 33 in August, is hopeful to sign a two-year worth $50 million in free agency, averaging $25 million per year. He revealed that the Chargers are team to watch, and said he does not expect the Chiefs or Texans to be among Evans’ suitors.
Yet when Pewter Report informed a well-trusted NFL source of Jones’ report on CBS Sports he said not to put too much credence into it, essentially shooting it down.
It has also been reported elsewhere by other media outlets that the Chargers, Browns, Titans and Raiders could also be in the mix for Evans – along with the Buccaneers.
Bucs WR Mike Evans Photo by: USA Today
Bucs WR Mike Evans Will Be Hitting Free Agency
Mike Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, let reporters know on Sunday, March 8, that his client will be “exploring his options in free agency.” Evans wants to see what the market is for his services before making a decision on which team he wants to sign with. The Buccaneers could still in play for Evans, but he will not be re-signing with the team before the start of free agency as he did in 2024.
Not surprising, as we have previously reported. This is not really about money as much as it is about Mike Evans possibly playing for a legit Super Bowl contender, and maybe just as important, going to a place where Mike will get lots of targets and be featured. We’ll see.
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) March 8, 2026
Evans is the all-time leading receiver in Tampa Bay history and a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame with 11 consecutive seasons to start an NFL career, which is an NFL record. Evans is tied with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons with 11. Rice holds the all-time league record for the most 1,000-yard receiving seasons with 14 and Evans is second on the list with 11.
CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones not only reported that Mike Evans’ career in Tampa Bay was over at the start of his video segment on Sunday, March 8, he repeated the news at the end of it: “For all intents and purposes, again, it does appear Mike Evans’ career in Tampa Bay is now over.”
Time will tell if Jones’ reporting is accurate. We’ll know in a few days once free agency starts in earnest.