Buccaneers' Mike Evans on possible final game of career: 'I'm always gonna go out swinging'

The 7-9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers could see their season end after Week 18, even if they earn a home win over the 8-8 Carolina Panthers this coming Saturday. 

Thus, the showdown between the Buccaneers and Panthers may be the last time that veteran Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans plays in a meaningful game. On Tuesday, he touched upon his mindset heading into what could prove to be a franchise-shifting contest for the Buccaneers.

Mike Evans will address future "when the time is right" 

"I just approach it how I always approach it," Evans explained, per Jenna Laine of ESPN. "It's whatever happens, happens. I'll focus on that when the time is right. Right now, we have to win. And I'm always giving my all, and I'm always gonna go out swinging."

It was back in September when Evans first teased that this could be his final season as an active player. The 32-year-old is not under contract for the 2026 campaign, and his incredible streak of recording at least 1,000 receiving yards in a season ended at 11 after he suffered a broken collarbone in October. 

Interestingly, Evans shared that the injury gave him an idea of what not playing during the fall months will be like whenever he does ride off into the sunset of retirement. 

"It's kind of a blessing in disguise," Evans said about being sidelined. "I missed the game more than I thought I would. And I come back, and I still got the love for the game. And who knows what it'll do for me in the future?" 

Mike Evans trying to treat Week 18 like "normal game" 

As for the Buccaneers, they must beat the Panthers on Saturday and then have the 6-10 New Orleans Saints defeat the 7-9 Atlanta Falcons at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday to qualify for the playoffs. If the Buccaneers, Panthers and Falcons all end Sunday with 8-9 records, Carolina would claim the division title via tiebreaker advantage. 

For now, Evans is doing all he can to concentrate on the task at hand and not on what could come after Saturday's matchup. 

"I'll know when I get out there and see, but right now I'm just treating it like a normal game," Evans said about whether he'll feel any different emotions when he steps out onto the Raymond James Stadium field on Saturday. "And obviously we have to win it and do our part and cheer another team on Sunday."