It’s a sad reality, but after the Atlanta Falcons upset the Los Angeles Rams in Week 17, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers no longer control their playoff fates.
Sure, the Buccaneers have to beat the visiting Carolina Panthers in Week 18 to win the NFC South Division and secure a home playoff game. But that’s not all there is to it.
If the Falcons defeat the Saints in Week 18, it would give the NFC South title to the Panthers, win or lose.
With that realization comes another bucket of cold water dumped on our collective heads — it also means Week 18 could very well be the final game in a Buccaneers uniform for legendary wide receiver Mike Evans.
Evans is in the final season of a 2-year, $52 million contract and could very well be a prime target in the 2026 free agency cycle.
He’s battled injuries this season but tied Jerry Rice’s NFL record with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons from 2014 to 2024 and could very well bounce back to that form in 2026.
But as far as Tampa Bay … those days might be numbered, and that number is one. As in one game left playing for the franchise which drafted him at No. 7 overall in the 2014 NFL draft out of Texas A&M and could very well see him enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day.
The Buccaneers may be acknowledging their time with Evans is coming to an end as well.
“For the Bucs’ regular season finale on Jan. 3, 13,000 Mike Evans bobbleheads featuring the team’s 50th anniversary logo and his signature salute will be distributed to fans,” ESPN’s Jenna Laine wrote on X. “The team calls it ‘a tribute to his legendary career and commitment to Tampa Bay.’ ”
Two Star Players Who Can’t Stay Healthy
With wide receiver Chris Godwin, the Buccaneers are almost totally stuck financially after signing him to a 3-year, $66 million contract in March. He’s only played in 3 games and no longer looks like a player who can help his team win games. Godwin has 8 receptions for 61 yards and zero touchdowns and can’t stay healthy.
The Buccaneers are on the hook for a $33 million salary cap hit with Godwin in 2026. Which should make your stomach hurt if you’re a Buccaneers fan.
Godwin has missed 8 games this season and has career lows of 32 receptions for 352 yards and 2 touchdowns. Evans has missed a career high 9 games to go with 38 receptions for 334 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Rookie WR Egbuka Makes Evans Expendable
With wide receiver and 2025 first round pick Emeka Egbuka leading the Buccaneers in receiving as a rookie, there’s simply no room for Godwin, Evans and Egbuka on the roster.
It could only happen if Evans wants to give Tampa Bay an all-time hometown discount, which he certainly should not do.
Evans, who will have approximately $155 million in career earnings following this season, has a projected market value of a 2-year, $27 million contract, according to Spotrac.
He missed 3 games in 2024 with a hamstring injury and missed 2 more games this season another hamstring injury before he returned in Week 7 and broke his collarbone in a loss to the Detroit Lions.
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