The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face significant roster decisions as Mike Evans approaches free agency after 12 seasons with the team. With Evans potentially departing, the Buccaneers are considering new options, including targeting tight end Kyle Pitts to maintain a strong offensive presence in the upcoming NFL season.
Although Tampa Bay did not hire a new head coach this offseason, keeping Todd Bowles in place, the team is expected to undergo changes heading into 2025. One of the most notable concerns is the possible loss of Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler and one of the franchise’s most reliable receivers. Evans has been synonymous with the Buccaneers since his rookie year, so his departure would signal a major shift.
If Evans leaves, the Buccaneers may look to fill his role with a player of similar stature and playmaking ability. Kyle Pitts stands out as a promising candidate. The 25-year-old tight end, drafted fourth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, recently completed a breakout season with 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 88 receptions. Pitts’s performance surprised many and raised his profile as one of the league’s dynamic young pass-catchers.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer highlighted the Buccaneers as a plausible landing spot for Pitts, partly because of the presence of former Atlanta offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, now with Tampa Bay. Breer also noted Pitts’s potential to fill critical roles on other teams, such as replacing Travis Kelce in Kansas City or joining the New York Giants to support rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart in Matt Nagy’s offense. If Pitts’s asking price is too high, alternatives like David Njoku could also be explored.
“Kyle Pitts had a terrific, breakout season—going for 928 yards and five scores on 88 catches—that very few people saw coming. There will be teams after him. He could be a nice replacement for Travis Kelce in Kansas City if the veteran tight end retires. The Giants could bring him in as a gift to Jaxson Dart, and that Kelce role would exist for him in Matt Nagy’s offense. The Buccaneers could be an interesting destination as well, with ex-Atlanta OC Zac Robinson now there. And if Pitts gets too pricey, then, sure, David Njoku would be an option.” SI’s Albert Breer on Kyle Pitts
Standing an inch taller than Evans at 6-foot-6, Pitts offers a similar physical presence, though he plays the tight end rather than wide receiver position. This versatility could be exactly what the Buccaneers need, especially since the team has lacked a consistent and impactful tight end since Rob Gronkowski retired after the 2021 season. Finding a playmaker at this position has been a priority for Tampa Bay, and Pitts may represent a long-term solution.
Given the importance of the wide receiver role and tight end impact in modern NFL offenses, how the Buccaneers address Evans’s potential departure will be crucial. Whether they pursue Pitts aggressively or explore other options will shape the team’s offensive identity for 2025 and beyond. The upcoming free agency period promises to be a pivotal moment for Tampa Bay’s roster and their efforts to remain competitive.
