Mike Evans has had a relatively quiet start to the 2025 season, his 12th in the NFL. Plenty of time remains for him to continue his streak of 1,000-yard campaigns, though. 
If Evans is able to reach that threshold this year, he will break a tie with Jerry Rice for the most consecutive seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards in NFL history. Doing so would add further to his legacy and no doubt help Tampa Bay enjoy another successful campaign. Given his age, however, questions continue to be asked about how much longer Evans will continue playing.
“I plan on having one of my best seasons,” the 32-year-old said about the current campaign during an interview with The Athletic’s Zak Keefer (subscription required). “And if I retire after this year, I don’t think it’ll be a shock to people. I’m close to the end, that’s all I’ll say.”
Last spring, a free agent departure loomed as a possibility. Evans said Kansas City and Houston represented attractive landing spots, but in the end he remained in place on a two-year, $41MM pact. He is thus a pending free agent, and an extension would ensure the six-time Pro Bowler’s career finishes in Tampa Bay. Another new pact may not wind up being possible, depending on how Evans views his future following the 2025 season.
The Texas A&M product is on the verge of reaching the top 20 in all-time receiving yardage, and he has amassed roughly $134MM (and counting) in career earnings. With a Super Bowl title to his name, Evans is certainly not lacking in accomplishments at the NFL level. As a result, a retirement call after the 2025 season has finished would be feasible.
The Bucs have Chris Godwin in the fold through 2027 after he re-signed this offseason. Tampa Bay’s receiving corps also contains 2024 third-rounder Jalen McMillan and first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka, who has enjoyed an impressive start to his career. Those three will be counted on as key figures in the passing game for the 2026 campaign, but it is unclear if Evans will join them.