BOSTON — The New England Patriots surged from a 4-13 record to the Super Bowl in 2025, powered by quarterback Drake Maye. Now, with free agency looming, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman pegs the Patriots as the ideal destination for veteran wideout Mike Evans, who plans to play a 13th NFL season after 12 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Maye, the former North Carolina star and third overall pick from the 2024 draft, exploded in his second year. He threw for 4,394 yards and 31 touchdowns, adding 450 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. That effort paced the league’s second-best scoring offense. Maye finished runner-up in MVP voting by one ballot, earned Pro Bowl honors and a second-team All-Pro nod, and placed fifth in Offensive Player of the Year balloting. He stood alone among 2024 rookie quarterbacks with 4,000-plus passing yards, ranking fourth league-wide despite a receiving corps led by Stefon Diggs.

“New England went from 4-13 to playing in the Super Bowl in a single season, and they did it without a true star on the receiving end of Drake Maye’s passes,” Auman wrote. He noted Diggs’ big contract and modest output could lead to a post-June 1 cut, freeing roughly $17 million in cap space. Evans, 32 and the same age as Diggs, offers steadier production. No Patriots receiver has hit double-digit touchdowns since Randy Moss in 2009. Evans has done it six times since then, amassing over 13,000 career receiving yards and 100 scores.

Evans endured his roughest year in 2025, hampered by injuries that limited him to fewer than 13 games and under 400 yards. Still, he enters free agency with eyes open. Auman highlighted the parallels: Evans thrived alongside Tom Brady, a former MVP and Super Bowl champion. Maye, fresh off an MVP near-miss and Super Bowl appearance, could spark a Evans revival as New England’s clear No. 1 target under coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

The Patriots face decisions on several one-year deals. Edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson, a former first-rounder, notched 7.5 sacks in his finest season. Nose tackle Khyiris Tonga anchored the run defense with 15 run stuffs and even moonlighted as a fullback. Cutting or restructuring Diggs could fund Evans while retaining those pieces and bolstering an offense hungry for a proven star.

Evans has not ruled out a Buccaneers return but is weighing all options. Auman’s take highlights New England’s rapid ascent and Maye’s arm as a draw for top free agents.