Mike Evans confirms he has given up on teaming up with Patrick Mahomes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has arguably been the most underrated wide receiver since entering the league as the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Evans didn’t get the opportunity to step into the big-market spotlight like Odell Beckham Jr., who was drafted 12th overall in the same draft. It’s been easy to overlook Evans’ impact as a soft-spoken receiver on a small-market team, but he’s established himself as a model of consistency throughout his career.

Evans is the only receiver in NFL history to record 10 consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus receiving yards to start his career.

Although he ultimately returned to Tampa Bay on a two-year, $52 million contract extension, the 30-year-old receiver considered leaving Tampa Bay for the first time in his career after contract negotiations with the Buccaneers fell through earlier in the offseason.

During an interview with NFL Network, Evans revealed that he is considering signing with either the Houston Texans or the Kansas City Chiefs.

“In the back of my mind, I think Houston, Kansas City,” Evans said. “I love Pat Mahomes’ game. I think about both of those teams. And I think about the Bucs, obviously.”

Evans has known Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes since high school. The two Texas natives were a few years apart in age, which made it difficult for them to cross paths.

Evans attended Ball High School in Galveston before playing at Texas A&M. Mahomes attended Whitehouse High School and committed to Texas Tech. Kliff Kingsbury, who was Mahomes’ college head coach, was formerly Evans’ offensive coordinator at Texas A&M.

Evans has often spoken highly of Mahomes, and the 6-foot-4 receiver would have been a dream receiver for the Chiefs. Evans’ agent Deryck Gilmore told Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz in March that winning a Super Bowl was a priority for the veteran receiver.

“Mike wants to play with an elite quarterback in an offense that will showcase him — and get paid like a top receiver,” Gilmore told Schultz. “He doesn’t want to play with a rookie quarterback. Winning a Super Bowl is a top priority.”

It’s understandable that Evans wants to play for a Super Bowl contender. He’s been through the highs and lows of football: His rookie season saw the Buccaneers finish 2-14. He finally got a chance to play with Mahomes this offseason, but Evans’ wife ultimately convinced him to stay in Tampa Bay.

“It was really her decision, that’s why I decided to stay,” Evans said. “She gave me the green light. I was going to be a free agent, and then we were having dinner; she said, ‘I think you should stay in Tampa.’”

The 30-year-old receiver has always been dominant, regardless of the talent around him. Over the years, Evans has caught passes from seven different quarterbacks: Josh McCown, Jameis Winston, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Blaine Gabbert, Baker Mayfield and, of course, Tom Brady. Evans won his first championship in Super Bowl LV after Brady joined the team in 2020. Coincidentally, that victory came at the expense of Mahomes and the Chiefs.

Ten years into his career, Evans has made it clear that he will one day reside in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. For now, however, he will continue to reside in Tampa Bay.