Home NFL Buccaneers’ Mike Evans Talks End of the Streak and Retirement

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans/via USA Today

Buccaneers’ Mike Evans Talks End of the Streak and Retirement

December 19, 2025

Buccaneers’ wide receiver Mike Evans and NFL legend Jerry Rice are tied for the record of most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons with 11 years each. Evans achieved this feat in the 2024 season, despite missing three games due to a hamstring injury.

Evans’ 1,000-yard streak likely ends at 11 after breaking his collarbone; he’s at 272 yards this season.

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“I broke my collarbone and had the concussion in one, and I knew it was over,” Evans said about his streak during a recent appearance on the Buccaneers’ “Players’ Table” show, via Nick Shook of the NFL.com. “It is just one of those things that it wasn’t meant to be, and that is OK, and I am cool with that. I tied with Jerry Rice, one of the greatest ever, if not the greatest player ever, so that is enough for me. I just want to help my team get to the playoffs now.”

The Buccaneers (7-7) need a healthy Evans for Sunday’s showdown against the Carolina Panthers (7-7), with the NFC South lead on the line. Tampa Bay is favored by 3 points.

“50 seasons of Buccaneers history, and I am in the history books as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer tied with Jerry Rice,” Evans stated. “That is amazing, and you cannot even think of that as a kid to draw that up or to dream about that. So, I have been blessed to be a staple of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”

The R-Word

Evans, 32, hinted he might retire after this season. He’s in a contract year and likely a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

“I haven’t really even thought about it, honestly,” Evans eluding his future, via the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. “I’m just going wait until the season is over. I’m just trying to focus as much as I can on the season. Obviously, we’re human, and we’ve got to think about the future. But I’ve really been locked in on helping this team make the playoffs.”

Evans denied being cryptic, saying he’s “not that smart” to phrase things that way. He’s focusing on the season and making the most of it – maybe that’s leading Tampa Bay back to the playoffs.