Mike Evans Next Team Odds: Bears, Texans Could Be In Hunt if Star Receiver Leaves Buccaneers

Mike Evans is one of the highest-profile impending free agents in the NFL.

The longtime Buccaneers star wanted to get a contract extension done with the only professional team he’s ever known, but it didn’t happen during the season.

Next team odds for Evans have been unveiled, and the oddsmakers at DraftKings believe a return to Tampa Bay is still the most likely scenario, as it is the odds-on favorite at -165.

However, teams flush with cap space could make a run for the premier wide receiver, including up-and-coming clubs like the Bears and Texans. 

Here are the eight teams with the best odds to sign Mike Evans this offseason, according to DraftKings on February 14th:

Mike Evans Next Team Odds

• Buccaneers -165
• Bears +650
• Texans +750
• Chiefs +1400
• Falcons +1400
• Cardinals +1600
• Patriots +1600
• Panthers +1600

Tampa Bay has $36.9 million in cap space, but has a lot of key free agents, including quarterback Baker Mayfield and safety Antoine Winfield.

Ex-Buccaneers quarterback Shaun King recently spoke about Evans’ future and believes Tampa Bay will need him to take a team-friendly deal for the pairing to continue.

“I’d put the ball in Mike’s court,” King said. ‘We can’t pay you as much as you’re going to be able to get in free agency. We do want you to stay, but we’re going to let you make that decision.’ And if he’s willing to take less to be a lifelong Buc and play his whole career here, he’s going to be a Buc. If he wants to take one more swing at a huge contract, which he can probably get on the open market, then we part ways without any hard feelings. It’s one of those, ‘Mike, you make the decision’ kind of things.”

The Bears acquired D.J. Moore last offseason and adding the 30-year-old Evans would boost the wide receiver room even more for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, the projected No. 1 pick in the draft.

The Texans’ passing game was great last season, and while the duo of Tank Dell and Nico Collins is already impressive, Houston could make it a star trio by adding Evans, who finished with 79 catches for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Buccaneers in 2023.

The Chiefs just won the Super Bowl without a big-name wideout but Evans could opt to go there if he wants to try for another ring.

While the Cardinals are the favorites to draft Marvin Harrison, Jr. at No. 4 overall, Evans would be insurance in case MHJ goes top-three, or they could be a great 1-2 punch together in the desert.

A team like the Panthers could throw a bag at him so they could have a legitimate No. 1 option for quarterback Bryce Young.

Teams like the Cowboys and Eagles are among the darkhorses to sign Evans.

Here is a look at the rest of the next team odds for Mike Evans’ destination in free agency, according to DraftKings sportsbook on February 14th:

• Colts +2500
• Commanders +3500
• Titans +3500
• Eagles +3500
• Jets +3500
• Giants +3500
• Lions +3500
• Cowboys +3500
• Ravens +3500
• Steelers +5000
• Raiders +5000
• Jaguars +5000
• Packers +5000
• Bengals +5000
• 49ers +10000
• Seahawks +10000
• Saints +10000
• Vikings +10000
• Dolphins +10000
• Rams +10000
• Chargers +10000
• Broncos +10000
• Browns +10000
• Bills +10000