Mike Evans' Agent Launches Free Agency Campaign with a Bang - JoeBucsFan.com
February 8th, 2026
Two years ago, Buccaneers legend Mike Evans signed a new two-year contract, declaring his intention to be a "Buc for life."
Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht was beaming with pride, aligning with his first-ever draft pick for Tampa Bay. "Buc for life" became the rallying cry of March 2024.
Fast forward to today, and Evans finds himself at the end of his contract. His agent, Deryk Gilmore, is on a mission to showcase Evans' continued excellence.
Gilmore strategically released a statement to NFL Network, delivered on-air by reporter Mike Garafolo during the pregame show. Garafolo's dramatic reading highlighted Gilmore's enthusiasm:
"Mike [Evans] started the season in peak physical condition. According to those within the organization, he had the best training camp of all. He concluded the season feeling better than he has in years. I believe his competitive spirit fuels his desire for more football. That's my hope. Like many fans, I'm thrilled to witness his performance!" (Gilmore's communications were filled with exclamation points.)
It's clear that Evans is eager to return to the field.
The question arises: will the Bucs reciprocate his enthusiasm? With Chris Godwin earning $23 million annually on a multi-year deal, could Evans feel shortchanged if the Bucs don't offer him a similar contract?
Evans' departure from Tampa Bay might seem unlikely, but history reminds us of legends like Jerry Rice, Julio Jones, and Davante Adams who once seemed irreplaceable.
Joe BucsFan hopes the Bucs make the right decision swiftly. Baker Mayfield shares this sentiment, confident that Evans will return (https://www.joebucsfan.com/2026/01/baker-mayfield-is-confident-mike-evans-will-return/).
The free agency deadline looms on March 9 at noon. The Bucs have the option to apply the franchise tag to Evans as early as February 17.
Stay tuned for updates on the Bucs' strategy and the potential reunion of Mike Evans and the team.
