Evans is in no rush to decide his future. He could still choose retirement, but Evans said Wednesday he wants to play a 13th NFL season. Continuing his career, Evans said, depends on finding the right situation.
He considers the Packers an ideal fit.
“I’m not opposed to coming back to Green Bay,” Evans said. “I loved my last year in Green Bay. Green Bay was great. I loved the coaching staff, I loved the locker room. I loved the organization, the community. It was awesome. It was a great fit for me.
“My goal is, I wanted to win another Super Bowl. I still do. So that’s my focus right now. But, you know, it’s still early. We’re sitting in the first week of April right now. So it’s very early.”
Evans was one of the Packers' most consistent offensive linemen, starting the first 14 games. He played three games through a left knee contusion initially sustained at Pittsburgh, only shutting down for the season after the Packers were eliminated from playoff contention.
At that point, Evans said, it was time to let younger teammates take snaps.
At the annual league meeting earlier this month, McCarthy seemed prepared to give McCray and Lucas Patrick the chance to compete for the Packers' starting right guard job, but he left open the possibility Evans could return.
“Jahri is definitely part of the conversation,” McCarthy said. “I don’t know exactly where he is as far as what his goals are, but we’re open (to him returning). Let’s be honest, you cannot have enough offensive linemen (with) the ability to play multiple positions. Lucas Patrick and McCray, what they did last year, you just can’t have enough of those type of guys. And they definitely deserve an opportunity to compete for a starting position.”
The Packers likely would only re-sign Evans if McCray, Patrick and an upcoming draft prospect prove incapable of starting.
In the meantime, Evans has plenty of responsibilities away from football occupying his time. His wife, Takia, gave birth to their first child March 16, a son named Atlas.
“Right now,” Evans said, “just back home in Philly, just getting our house set up. Making sure my wife and our newborn son are comfortable. When time comes, I’ll get back to working out and training and see how I feel.”