Latest on Mike Evans' NFL Future as WR's Agents Give Update Amid Retirement Rumors

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans won't be retiring from the NFL during the 2026 offseason.

Evans' agents, Deryk Gilmore and Darren Jones, told ESPN's Kimberley A. Martin that their client will play next season and explore his options in free agency.

The 32-year-old was initially noncommittal regarding his future at the end of his 2025 campaign, but left the door open for a return.

Gilmore also hinted at Evans choosing to forgo retirement and return for his 13th NFL season on Feb. 8, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

The former Texas A&M standout has spent his entire career with the Buccaneers, as they selected him with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft.

Evans has operated as one of the league's most consistent wideouts during his tenure in Tampa Bay, earning six Pro Bowl nods and setting an NFL record by surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons.

He sits at No. 21 on the NFL's all-time receiving yards list, while his 108 touchdown catches rank No. 10 among all players.

Evans only appeared in eight games during the 2025 season, missing time due to a hamstring injury and a broken collarbone as well as a concussion.

He wasn't as sharp compared to past years when healthy, averaging a career-low 46.0 receiving yards per game. Evans also recorded just three touchdowns after finding the end zone 24 times over the prior two years combined.

The veteran could find a new home in free agency, as the Buccaneers already have a receiving corps featuring younger options such as Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson and Jalen McMillan.