Texans Free Agent Target Mike Evans 'Far Apart' From Extension with Buccaneers

Buccaneers' Mike Evans appears to be on his way to free agency. Could the Houston Texans make a run at the All Pro wide receiver?

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans will be a prime destination when free agency begins on March 15. They have nearly $60 million in salary cap space. After a promising first season under coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans will look to add players who can potentially take them beyond the Divisional Round in 2024. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans could be a free agent target for the Texans.

According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, Evans is trending toward becoming a free agent. The Buccaneers have a chance to extend their star receiver, but both sides remain far apart from a deal.

Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Evans was in attendance during the Houston Rockets' 110-99 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 31 inside the Toyota Center. During a brief halftime chat, Evans told Texans Daily, "I’m excited to see where I am going to end up,” when speaking on his pending free agency.

Evans is a Galveston native, and signing with the Texans would be a homecoming party for the future Hall of Famer. 

Caught up quickly with #Buccaneers WR Mike Evans and asked about his pending free agency:

“I’m excited to see where I am going to end up.” pic.twitter.com/Rz1UtwByFP

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) February 1, 2024

The 30-year-old wideout played his college football at Texas A&M, where he recorded 2,499 yards and 17 touchdowns in two seasons before being drafted in the first round (No. 7 overall) by the Buccaneers in 2014. 

Evans has played two games against his hometown team, where he has posted 188 yards on 11 catches. During the Buccaneers' Week 9 loss to the Texans, Evans finished with 87 yards with four catches on Nov. 5 at NRG Stadium.

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"What Mike has been able to do consistently is beat one-on-one coverage — just with Mike and his catch radius, he’s such a big target, and he’s fast," Ryans said.

"You can’t get lulled to sleep. He has the speed, he has the size, he has the strength. No matter if you double cover him, whatever you may do, Mike always seems to find a way to make a play."