Mike Evans is reportedly set to become a free agent, which could be good news for several teams. The Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, and San Francisco 49ers are among those who may be interested in acquiring the Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend.
Evans Set to Test Free Agency
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, Mike Evans is set to become a free agent after failing to reach a deal with the Buccaneers. Schultz reported that interested teams believe Evans is serious about leaving Tampa Bay after 12 seasons.
Evans will be able to agree to terms with any team starting on Monday at noon ET, when the legal tampering period begins. He cannot make a deal official until Wednesday, when the official start of the new league year hits.
What Evans Wants in a New Team
Reports suggest Evans has specific demands for a new team. These include a high volume of targets, a respected play-caller and a chance to win a Super Bowl.
Another demand for Evans is playing with a quarterback he respects.
Potential Suitors: Broncos, Patriots, and 49ers
The Broncos and Patriots reportedly check all three of Evans’ boxes. The 49ers easily check two of them, though the Super Bowl contender box might be a question in Evans’ eyes. San Francisco might be in a transition year in 2026 as the team looks to get younger and put itself in a better financial situation.
New England and San Francisco have the most dire need at wide receiver, so they can definitely offer Evans a big role. The Pats are cutting Stefon Diggs, which leaves them without a true No. 1 receiver, and the Niners could lose Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and Brandon Aiyuk, which would leave them with Ricky Pearsall and not much else.
The Broncos have a No. 1 target in-house in Courtland Sutton, but he is surrounded by young and unproven players, so there’s room for Evans to see plenty of work.
Bo Nix and Drake Mayeare rising stars, and Brock Purdy is a good quarterback who has made it to a Super Bowl before. Those three teams could all check that box.
The Broncos and Patriots may have a better chance to land Evans than the Niners, but all three teams could logically be in the mix.