By Mike Evans’ career in Tampa is over.
After 12 seasons and one Super Bowl win, Evans has signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth $60.4 million.
Evans stated through his agent that he wanted to play for a team where he would be an integral part of the offense and have a chance to win another Super Bowl.
He also wanted to play in an offensive system that challenges defense, and be in a system where he can push himself and contribute at the highest level.
And he felt that San Francisco would meet that criteria, not Tampa.
Evans stated through his agent, Deryk Gilmore, that he desired a new challenge, saying that Tampa will always be home.
“After 12 remarkable seasons in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans felt a desire to challenge himself with a new chapter in the final stage of his career. Throughout his entire career, he has pushed himself to grow, compete, and evolve as a player, and this decision reflects that same mindset.”
“Mike has tremendous love and respect for the Buccaneers organization, the Glazer family, the coaches, his teammates, and especially the fans in Tampa Bay who have supported him since the day he was drafted. Tampa will always be home to him, and he is deeply proud of everything they accomplished together.”
This is right up there with the way we all felt when Steven Stamkos left the Lightning to sign with the Nashville Predators.
Evans felt the Buccaneers’ window to win a Super Bowl had closed, and he had a better chance of getting a Super Bowl ring with San Francisco.
The Buccaneers made a competitive offer to Evans to finish his career as a Buccaneer and be just the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career in Tampa.
I believe Mike Evans made his mind up that Thursday in December against the Atlanta Falcons, when the Tampa defense had Atlanta in a 3 and 28, and the Falcons were able to convert, get the first down, and went on to win the game on a walk-off field goal 29-28.
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The Glazers obviously feel that Bowles can take the Buccaneers to the promised land.
But in reality, the Glazers just rubberstamped mediocrity for another season.
The fans and Mike Evans have seen this defense meltdown, and collapse over and over again. Mike Evans had enough.
He was tired of giving his all on offense, and the Buccaneers not being able to stop a cold.
You can make a case that the Glazers’ loyalty to Todd Bowles cost the franchise Mike Evans.
After a less than stellar season and missing the playoffs, the Glazers decided to bring back Bowles for the 2026 season.
Evans also had four offensive coordinators in his last four seasons in Tampa. The Buccaneers cast their lot with Todd Bowles and let Liam Coen and Dave Canales walk away and become successful coaches in their own right.
That had to be terribly frustrating to Mike Evans.
Evans was stuck with Josh Grizzard last season, and we all know how that turned out.
Evans ends his career in Tampa, as one of the greatest to ever wear the pewter and white.
Evans ends his career in Tampa as the all time leading receiver in Buccaneer history.
He is also tied with Jerry Rice with 11 consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 yards receiving.
Ever since Jason Licht made Evans his first selection as a GM in the 2014 draft, Evans has been a pillar in the community and a leader in the locker room.
His influence and leadership will be sorely missed.
The good news in all of this is the Buccaneer wide receiver room is still locked and loaded.
Chris Godwin now assumes the leadership position in that room, to help bring the talented young group along including Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillian, Tex Johnson, Kameron Johnson, and Sterling Sheppard should he decide with the Buccaneers.
