NFL
Exclusive: Mike Evans Expected to Draw Interest From 49ers, Buccaneers, Patriots, Chargers in Free Agency
Mike Evans, a standout receiver in this year's free agent class, is carefully considering his next move as negotiations heat up. Despite interest from Tampa, Evans is exploring other options with a focus on offenses, quarterback quality, and chances to win a Super Bowl. At 33, he remains a top-tier receiver and could be a game-changer for teams like the 49ers, Patriots, and Chargers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Carolina Panthers by Matt Kelley | Getty Images
Future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans is one of the pearls of this year’s free agent class and will draw significant interest as discussions pick up at the scouting combine this week.
He will be selective about his approach to the process and is weighing certain criteria very heavily as he negotiates what could be his final NFL contract.
Evans dealt with fluke injuries last season, which precluded him from posting a ridiculous 12th straight 1000-yard season with Tampa, and there remains mutual interest between him and the club.
But he is interested in exploring several reasonable options according to some close to him, believes he has more 1,000-yard seasons in him and is looking to be more than an ancillary cog in any offense he goes to.
Those sources are adamant that Evans is closely studying the offenses, both quarterback, scheme and acumen of the offensive coordinator/play caller, and prioritizing those matters, along with the opportunity to win another Super Bowl, of course.
Where Does That Process Lead?
There are not too many teams that meet those qualifications in the NFL, but besides Tampa, which feels like far from a lock, the 49ers, Patriots and Chargers standout (the Eagles would as well, were they to trade veteran receiver AJ Brown as many anticipate).
It was clear to executives from several teams that watched Evans last season that Tampa’s offense suffered from a deficient play caller and quarterback Baker Mayfield was hobbled much of the season, too, limiting the scope of the passing game.
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the game’s elite offensive minds and the team will head into the offseason parting with Brandon Aiyuk and already moved on from longtime stalwart pass catcher Deebo Samuel the season prior.
New England has won multiple Super Bowls with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels calling plays, quarterback Drake Maye was runner-up for MVP in just his second season and New England doesn’t have a plethora of weapons in the pass game.
The Chargers relied on a veteran receiver in Keenan Allen a year ago, and he is a free agent as well. Would Evans be an upgrade?
Probably so. When Evans is healthy he remains an impact receiver, even at this stage of his career, according to several evaluators.
“He’s still a dog,” one personnel executive said from a team that would have interest in Evans but lacks a caliber of quarterback to likely fit his needs.
“He can still help you win football games. He’s a winning football player.”
Evans will turn 33 in August and has never waded deeply into free agency before. He has posted 11 touchdowns or more in four of the last six seasons and averaged an impressive 15.9 yards per reception as recently as 2023.
La Canfora has covered over 20 Super Bowls and League Meetings and NFL drafts, building a wide network of sources throughout all aspects of the game. He was an award winning print journalist as well, working at The Detroit Free Press and The Baltimore Sun prior to his first stint at The Washington Post. He has covered sporting events around the world, including two Winter Olympics and all of the 2006 World Cup. He attended his first NFL game in 1978, and would soon kindle what has become a lifelong love and appreciation of the sport. La Canfora is also a professional handicapper, specializing in the NFL, creating a daily sports wagering game show - "Wanna Bet?" He also hosts nationally broadcast NFL radio shows in the US, as well as a daily sports radio show in his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland.