Rumors are heating up that veteran wide receiver Mike Evans could land with the Kansas City Chiefs this offseason, and with his Tampa Bay contract expired, uncertainty surrounds the future of the 32-year-old star.
Evans has reportedly shown interest in joining the Chiefs previously, but the timing now seems ideal, as Kansas City could benefit from his experience, while the Buccaneers face a decision on their longtime standout receiver.
On the Chief Concerns podcast, former Chiefs tight end Jason Dunn and co-host Marcus Dash debated Evans‘ potential impact, weighing his age against the value he could provide, particularly to Patrick Mahomes‘ passing attack.
“The man’s 32 years old,” Dunn said. “I say he can’t do it anymore. But when you have a veteran guy coming in, there is some things that you need to change. I don’t think that we did enough with DeAndre Hopkins when he came here either.”
Evans has been remarkably consistent throughout his career, achieving 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, yet 2025 brought a rare dip in production due to injuries, ending his streak with 30 catches, 368 yards, and three touchdowns.
The setback highlights the difficulty of sustaining elite performance in a physically demanding league, yet Evans insists he remains focused on longevity, combining rigorous training, recovery, and smart preparation to extend his career.
“I’m getting up there in experience,” Evans said. “I’ve been [one of] the oldest or the most experienced Bucs for the past couple of seasons now since Tom left. I feel pretty great, though. I feel pretty great. As I’m getting older, I’m just focusing on what’s in front of me.”
What the Kansas City Chiefs must do to land Evans
Evans could provide leadership, mentoring the younger receivers, while offering Mahomes a reliable red-zone weapon, yet his age and recent injuries complicate the financial picture for the Chiefs and require careful planning.
Dunn warned that integrating a veteran requires thoughtful strategy, recalling the struggles with DeAndre Hopkins, and the team must design plays around Evans‘ unique skill set to maximize impact without repeating past errors.
The salary cap presents a major barrier, as the Chiefs reportedly sit $55 million to $62.6 million over the limit, which means Evans’ projected $13 million salary will demand major adjustments, including creative structuring of contracts.
Experts suggest converting part of Mahomes’ $78 million cap hit into a signing bonus could free roughly $44 million, providing enough space to accommodate Evans while retaining roster flexibility and addressing other key needs.
Evans’ presence offers more than raw statistics, as his veteran awareness, route savvy, and red-zone dominance could elevate the offense, enhance younger receivers’ development, and give Mahomes a dangerous new weapon.
If Kansas City navigates these hurdles successfully, Evans could serve as an immediate impact player, combining size, experience, and situational skill, while helping to maintain the Chiefs‘ explosive aerial attack and championship aspirations.
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