Mike Evans has announced his intention to return to the NFL for the 2026 season, marking his 13th year in the league. However, it remains unclear whether he will continue his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Evans” agent, Deryk Gilmore, confirmed that the wide receiver will be back on the field next season, but the specifics of his team are still up in the air. “He is opening it up,” Gilmore stated, as reported by NFL.com. “He will play next season with someone. It could be Tampa. But he will definitely play a 13th season.”
During the 2025 NFL season, Evans faced several injuries, including a hamstring issue and a broken clavicle, which caused him to miss a significant portion of the year. Despite these challenges, upon his return, Evans demonstrated he still possesses the skills that have made him an All-Pro talent at the age of 32.
If a return to Tampa Bay does not materialize, speculation suggests that the Pittsburgh Steelers may be interested in signing him. The Steelers could pair Evans with fellow wide receiver DK Metcalf, who struggled during the past season due to a lack of support from other receivers.
The potential combination of Evans and Metcalf could present a formidable challenge for opposing defenses, especially if Aaron Rodgers, one of the league”s best deep throwers, decides to return to Pittsburgh. Rodgers has yet to announce his plans for the 2026 season, but the prospect of teaming up with two elite wide receivers would undoubtedly be enticing for him.
This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire, detailing the future of Mike Evans as he looks ahead to the 2026 NFL season.
