Mike Evans‘ decorated Buccaneers tenure came to an end last week when he agreed to join the 49ers. His departure was not the result of Tampa Bay losing a bidding war, though. 
During his first public comments since losing Evans, general manager Jason Licht spoke about the negotiating process in this case. He said (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times) the Buccaneers made a “significantly higher” offer than the one Evans ultimately took with San Francisco. He noted that was applicable to Tampa Bay’s “first offer,” meaning further negotiations were something Licht and Co. were willing to pursue.
Instead, Evans had his 49ers agreement in place shortly after the legal tampering window opened. The six-time Pro Bowler took a three-year, $42.5MM deal to head to the Bay Area. In practice, though, his contract is for one year and $14.3MM with team options to follow. It is certainly not difficult to imagine the Buccaneers managing to submit a more competitive bid, especially in the case of a short-term offer.
Evans noted finances were not the main factor in his decision to leave. The 33-year-old will be counted on to handle a key role in San Francisco, something which may not have been as much of an assurance with Tampa Bay. The Bucs re-signed Chris Godwin last offseason, a move which was followed by the draft additions of Emeka Egbuka and Tez Johnson. Those three, along with Jalen McMillan, will form the bulk of the team’s WR room for 2026.
“[Evans] means everything to me,” Licht said (via Stroud). “But he means everything to the entire organization. Obviously, he’s the best offensive player we’ve ever had and an even better person than he is a player. So, it’s always tough… It became pretty clear that him and his family were just ready, like he said publicly, for another chapter.”
As the Bucs move on without Evans for the first time since his arrival in 2014, they will attempt to avoid the late-season struggles which kept them out of the playoffs. Tampa Bay went 2-7 after the bye in 2025, something Licht and Evans spoke about leading up to free agency. Both parties will look to enjoy a stronger showing down the stretch after going their separate ways.
He didn’t want to be there. Oh whale
He was going to be Bucs #1 in name only, Egbuka and JMac would have been used more. Mike would have been the red zone guy. He wanted a chance to be the overall #1 wide out which he is on 9ers and Bills his other option. I don’t think his body can handle that workload but we will see. As Bucs fan I am over it and the blaming Bowles is just an annoying narrative. Many factors played in Evans leaving.
Truth hurts. He made it crystal clear what he thinks about Bowles. Ownership didn’t care.
Source? Never seen him give any quotes about coaches. People really take the 3rd and 28 to install their narrative into it.
Go ahead and try to down play the 3rd and 28
Because it really doesn’t matter that much. Say Bucs make playoffs with 10-7 or whatever 1st rd exit. They would have been stomped by Rams again, never beat Mcvay Rams regardless of coaching staff. Yall really think he would have stayed? He was leaving regardless and Bowles would have been blamed for reason either way.
Even if it wasn’t Bowles that made him leave, Bowles shouldn’t have been kept around for this long. The Buccs starting the year as a title contender and ending the year out of the playoffs is inexcusable, even with all the injuries.
Great era of Bucs football w/a ring to top it off. But they’re an older roster, & need a youth movement.
legally speaking, can Todd Bowles be arrested and charged with crimes against the city of Tampa, FL?
If the Bucs had an offensive minded head coach, Evans would still be there
It would be an extremely emotional situation for Evans returning to Tampa Bay in a different uniform. The Bucs fans will probably not get that opportunity to show their appreciation and that kinda sucks.
Bucs fans don’t even show up to the games much even when they win. Probably wouldn’t be many showing up.
Alot of catches to go around, including Otton and Gainwell. He will have more opportunity in SF IF he can stay healthy …
And sometimes, a veteran like Evans, just might want a change of scenery for the last phase of his career..
He clearly wanted out of there cuz even if the offers were identical, FL has no state income tax and the cost of living is cheaper than SF, so the Tamoa offer would’ve been far more lucrative.
Oof not the flex he thinks that is lol
People who think keeping Bowles as HC was a HUGE factor in Evans Leaving are 100% Correct!! People who disagree are Clueless!