TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 24: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers warms up prior to the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Raymond James Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
One of the AFC’s top teams linked to star wide receiver Mike Evans reportedly won’t pursue the five-time Pro Bowler in free agency after all.

The Houston Texans are among the clubs who’ve been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the 30-year-old Evans, who is from Galveston (roughly 51 miles south of Houston) and played college football at Texas A&M.

But according to a report from Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the reigning AFC South champions are “not expected to” chase Evans when the free agent market opens up on Mar. 13:
“While Evans will undoubtedly cash in with a blockbuster deal and is currently expected to head to free agency, the Galveston native and suburban Houston resident is not expected to be part of the Texans’ free agency plans, per NFL sources.

The thinking is that the Texans like their young wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell and wouldn’t want to overshadow them with Evans or spend that much money on one single player, even one of Evans’ caliber and accomplishments as a likely future Pro Football Hall of Fame selection.”

As Wilson noted, Houston already has two prolific young wideouts in Nico Collins and Tank Dell, so they’re not exactly in pressing need of more pass-catchers. Ultimately, it makes sense for Evans to join a team that will allow him to serve as the WR1, and teams like Kansas City, Baltimore and Cleveland make plenty of sense for the future Hall of Famer.