Veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has been hinting that his time in the NFL might be coming to an end. Evans has battled injury issues this season but has returned to become a primary downfield target for Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
After some of his recent comments gave Tampa Bay fans the impression that he could be nearing retirement, Evans clarified those remarks.
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans Discusses Retirement
On Wednesday, Evans told reporters, “I haven’t really even thought about it, honestly. I was just going to wait until the season is over.
“I’m just trying to focus as much as I can on the season,” Evans said. “Obviously, we’re human, we’ve got to think about the future. But I’ve really been trying to be locked in on helping this team make the playoffs. Time will tell.”
Evans later clarified his comments, according to Fox Sports NFL reporter Greg Auman. Auman posted on X, “Asked about saying he could be retiring ‘soon,’ Mike Evans clarifies that could mean three or four more years. Asked about No. 13 playing a 13th season in 2026, he says reporters are ‘speaking it into existence.’”
According to the PFSN NFL WR Impact metric, Evans has an impact score of 73.6 and grades out at a C. This season, Evans has recorded 20 catches for 272 yards and one touchdown as Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has worked him back into the offense.
Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has been Mayfield’s primary target this season. Egbuka has an impact score of 75.4 and also grades out at a C. He has totaled 58 catches for 870 yards and six touchdown receptions. Egbuka and Evans are expected to remain key targets for Mayfield as the season progresses.
Entering this weekend’s games, Tampa Bay is tied with the Carolina Panthers for first place in the NFC South. In the NFC standings overall, the Buccaneers sit in fourth place behind the Los Angeles Rams, who have already clinched a playoff berth, as well as the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Buccaneers are looking to get back on track after a loss to the Atlanta Falcons on a last-second field goal. Tampa Bay has gone 2-6 over its last eight games, and the team knows it must refocus heading into the final stretch of the season. Evans is expected to play a significant role as Tampa Bay looks to finish the 2025 NFL regular season strong.