Evans’ 2025 season was a departure from his norm. He missed a career-high nine games due to injuries and finished with 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns, ending his NFL-record streak of 12 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons as Tampa Bay went 8-9 and missed the playoffs.
Mayfield spoke on The Ronde Barber Show, noting he doesn’t “have to plead” with Evans because of the receiver’s competitiveness and loyalty to Tampa Bay, and he believes Evans wouldn’t want this season to be the end. He also emphasized he has no inside information and told Evans to take his time making a decision.
A potential factor in Evans’ decision could be the Buccaneers’ new offensive leadership, with Zac Robinson taking over as offensive coordinator after Josh Grizard was fired. Mayfield implied that Robinson could help reenergize the unit, while Evans showed evident energy down the stretch this past year.
Tampa Bay has publicly said there have been no discussions about Evans’s future, with headlined reporting by the Tampa Bay Times indicating Evans hasn’t spoken with the team or his agent about plans for 2026. The situation remains unresolved as Evans weighs whether to continue his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and Super Bowl champion, remains one of the Buccaneers’ most prominent figures. Whether he returns in 2026 could hinge on his assessment of team prospects, the fit with the new offensive system, and his own readiness after a tough, injury-marred season.
