Buccaneers' Mike Evans teases retirement early into 2025 season

This past June, veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans suggested that sharing a locker room with rookies Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson gave him "more motivation" to play well while in a contract year.

That said, The Athletic's Zak Keefer revealed in an article published on Monday that Evans may be thinking about riding off into the sunset of retirement as soon as next year. 

Is Mike Evans in a "Last Dance" season?

"I plan on having one of my best seasons," Evans recently said about his goals for the ongoing campaign. "And if I retire after this year, I don’t think it’ll be a shock to people." 

Evans added: "I’m close to the end, that’s all I’ll say."

The Buccaneers made Evans the seventh overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he has featured only for Tampa Bay en route to becoming one of the greatest overall players in franchise history. He helped the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV in February 2021, and he became the second player in NFL history to have an 11-season streak of at least 1,000 receiving yards this past January. Per Scott Smith of the Buccaneers' website, Evans also owns the record for the most 1,000-yard seasons to start a career. 

In Tampa Bay's thrilling 23-20 Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 7, Evans recorded five catches for 51 yards. As of Monday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Buccaneers as 2.5-point road underdogs for their "Monday Night Football" matchup at the 0-1 Houston Texans.

Mike Evans wants to be known for more than "consistency" 

"People hear consistency and they think that’s all I am," Evans said while referencing his 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. "Consistency is great, but I think I’m the best. I know a lot of guys in my situation couldn’t come close to what I’ve done. Come to Tampa, a team not known for offense … revolving door at quarterback … the most doubled receiver in the league since 2015 …I want to be known as a winner." 

Evans already owns a Super Bowl ring and is one reason some view the Buccaneers as legitimate championship contenders as of the third week of September. On Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook had Tampa Bay sixth among the betting favorites at +1000 odds to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. Hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy again would be quite a walk-off moment for Evans if he decides this coming winter he is ready to call time on his playing days.