Potential landing spots for Bucs WR Mike Evans if he tests free agency

While the door isn’t officially closed on receiver Mike Evans returning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, it seems likely the 10-year veteran will test free agency after failing to reach a contract extension during the regular season.

Evans’ contract expires in March after 10 straight 1,000-yard seasons in Tampa, and though he’ll be 31 by the time next season begins, the five-time Pro Bowler still has plenty left in the tank following 79-reception, 1,255-yard, 13-touchdown season this year.

Should Evans hit the open market, here are five teams that could make a run at the two-time All-Pro wideout:

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Rookie Rashee Rice showed great promise as Kansas City’s No. 1 receiver this season (79 receptions, 938 yards, seven touchdowns), but it may be a little early to expect the 23-year-old to perform like a top-20 WR, which is why adding Evans could be a perfect solution.

Evans would give KC a proven No. 1 target and safety net for Patrick Mahomes while allowing Rice to settle in as a go-to target without worrying about getting double-teamed. It’s also a great landing spot for Evans as he would continue to see a high volume of targets and red-zone opportunities with the Chiefs being a top-five team in terms of pass attempts over the last four years.

2. Buffalo Bills

Stefon Diggs’ future is uncertain, and it’s been speculated for a while now that Buffalo could move on from the polarizing star receiver this summer. Gabe Davis, the Bills’ No. 2 receiver, is a free agent come March and will test the open market, potentially leaving a big hole at the top of Buffalo’s depth chart at WR.

Evans’ demeanor is the opposite of Diggs. He’s a team-first kind of player who doesn’t demand the spotlight but rather lets it find him. He may not be as dynamic as Diggs is, but he’s still a big-play threat and a virtual lock for 1,000 yards, especially in a pass-friendly offense like what the Bills run with a QB as talented as Josh Allen.

3. Baltimore Ravens

Odell Beckham Jr.’s contract expires in March, and it’s not known if he will return or test free agency. Rookie Zay Flowers had a strong debut season, leading all WRs in receptions (77), yards (858) and touchdowns (five), and he could use a complimentary pass catcher on the opposite side next year.

Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has helped emphasize the passing game more this year than in years past, and Evans could still put up big numbers playing with the strong-armed Lamar Jackson. If Evans wants to ring chase in the final few years of his career, Baltimore is an excellent place to do so.

4. Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase is Cincy’s unquestioned No. 1 target, but if Tee Higgins departs in free agency like many expect, there’s suddenly an opening for a No. 2 WR in a situation that is better than being a No. 1 option on other teams.

Joe Burrow should be back and fully healthy in 2024, and being the Robin to Chase’s Batman wouldn’t be a bad gig for Evans, who would likely still see the same volume of targets in the Bengals’ pass-happy offense (Higgins averaged 109 targets per season over the last three years before an injury-plagued season this year). With a healthy Burrow plus Chase, Evans and Tyler Boyd, the Bengals would likely be a Super Bowl favorite again.

5. Carolina Panthers

A receiver might be the Panthers' biggest area of need with the team desperately needing to improve on the WR group it had this year led by 33-year-old Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark (35 receptions, 525 yards), Jonathan Mingo (43 receptions, 418 yards) and Terrace Marshall Jr. (19 receptions, 139 yards).

Evans, who’s had 67 or more receptions and 1,000 or more yards in every one of his 10 seasons, would immediately bolster a WR room that ranked 31st in receiving touchdowns (13) and last in receiving yards per game (190.9), yards per reception (9.3) and receptions of 20 or more yards (31). He had six receptions longer than 40 yards this year (fourth-most in the NFL) and 21 receptions longer than 20 yards this season (12th-most). Carolina doesn’t have a first-round pick in April, so the only way they can land a top-tier WR is to throw a bunch of money at one.