NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
Mike Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team with which he has built a Hall of Fame resume over the past 12 NFL seasons, for the San Francisco 49ers.
Evans reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year contract with San Francisco worth $60.4 million, according to ESPN.
The Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers, issued a statement following Evans’ decision to seek a new challenge outside of Tampa Bay.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans warms up before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins on December 28, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Cliff Welch/Sportswire Icon)
“Saying goodbye to a legend like Mike Evans is never easy, but today we are filled with appreciation and gratitude for everything he did during his extraordinary 12-year career as a Buccaneer,” the statement read. “Our goal was always to ensure that Mike played his entire career as a Buccaneer, but as we moved through the process it became clear that he was looking for a new challenge.
“He leaves as the most successful offensive player in franchise history – a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion – but it was his dedication to making a difference off the field that will define his lasting legacy in our community. We wish Mike continued success in his next chapter and thank him for everything he has done for the Buccaneers and Tampa Bay.”
BOSSES AND SUPER BOWL MVP KENNETH WALKER III AGREE TO DEAL AS NFL FREE AGENCY BEGINS: REPORTS
The statement concluded by saying the family and team look forward to honoring Evans to “celebrate his eventual Hall of Fame career.”
Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, issued a statement on behalf of his client after making the decision.
“After twelve remarkable seasons in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans felt the desire to challenge himself with a new chapter in the final stage of his career,” Gilmore said, according to ESPN. “Throughout his entire career he has strived to grow, compete and evolve as a player, and this decision reflects that same mentality.
Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field at halftime during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“Mike has tremendous love and respect for the Buccaneers organization, the Glazer family, the coaches, his teammates and especially the Tampa Bay fans who have supported him since the day he was drafted. Tampa will always be his home and he is deeply proud of everything they accomplished together.”
Gilmore added that the Bucs “made it clear that they would have loved for Mike to finish his career in Tampa,” where he would have been just the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career in Tampa Bay.
“Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money,” Gilmore added. “The Buccaneers were extremely aggressive in their search and submitted a very strong offer, demonstrating how much they value him and everything he has meant to the franchise.”
As mentioned in the Glazers’ statement, Evans reset Buccaneers records, totaling 13,052 receiving yards and 108 receiving touchdowns since being selected seventh overall out of Texas A&M in the 2014 NFL Draft. He also had at least 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons with the Bucs, with the streak ending last season due to several injuries that forced him to miss nine. games.
Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches during the second quarter of the NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
Now, Evans joins a Kyle Shanahan-led offense that was always expected to add a wide receiver this offseason. Evans immediately replaces Brock Purdy as the primary pass-catching option, and more moves could occur with Jauan Jennings in free agency as well.
For the Buccaneers, they made moves in recent seasons to shore up their wide receivers, including first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, selected out of Ohio State in 2025. He got off to a hot start in his rookie season before cooling off a bit. Jalen McMillan was a factor when he returned healthy last season, and veteran Chris Godwin is also a reliable target for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
