Mike Evans appeared set to reach free agency this offseason, something which would have allowed him to entertain outside offers and consider departing the Buccaneers for the first time in his career. Instead, he chose to remain in Tampa Bay on a frontloaded two-year deal. 
The record-breaking wideout may have been the top player on the market at his position had he reached free agency. Doing so was a consideration, and Evans had a pair of potential destinations in mind before ultimately staying put. While speaking to Sara Walsh and Gerald McCoy of NFL Network, he named the Texans and Chiefs as teams he contemplated joining.
“I mean, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking Houston, Kansas City,” the 30-year-old said when recounting his decision-making process (video link). “I love [Patrick] Mahomes’ game. I’m thinking those two teams. And I’m obviously thinking the Bucs.”
Evans is a native of Galveston, Texas, and he played collegiately at Texas A&M. Joining his hometown team would have been logical, especially considering the emergence of C.J. Stroud as the Texans’ quarterback of the present and future. The team had ample spending power in free agency, and a major receiver addition was made (by acquiring Stefon Diggs via trade from the Bills). Signing Evans would have provided Stroud with a different veteran target in his second NFL campaign.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, were among the many teams connected to an Evans pursuit. Kansas City struggled to find production at the receiver position in 2023, and making additions was a key offseason priority. Marquise Brown was added in free agency before the selection of Xavier Worthy during the first round of the draft. Both speedsters offer a much different skillset than Evans, but the latter would have been a welcomed addition for the defending champions based on his pedigree.
Evans is the only player in NFL history to record 1,000 or more receiving years in each of his first 10 seasons. He will aim to carry on that streak while continuing to play with Baker Mayfield and Co. in Tampa Bay. Remaining in the only home he has had throughout his decorated tenure carried obvious appeal for Evans – a player who has greatly benefitted from his previous Bucs pacts in a financial sense.
“I mean, I’ve been here my whole career,” he added. “It would’ve been extremely hard, if I hit free agency, to leave here. But this is where my family knows. My kids were born here. My wife’s been here a long time.”
Tampa Bay will attempt to repeat as NFC South winners in 2024, and Evans will play a big role in those efforts. His production over the next two years will influence his next financial decision on yet another Bucs re-up or a deal sending him elsewhere.