Buccaneers GM Disputes Theory on Mike Evans's 49ers Move

Licht says Bucs made a 'significantly higher offer' to keep star WR in Tampa Bay.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 12:48am by Ben Kaplan

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After 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, star wide receiver Mike Evans decided to leave for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, signing a 3-year, $42.4 million deal. Buccaneers GM Jason Licht disputed theories that Evans's departure was due to frustration over the team's defensive collapse, saying they made a 'significantly higher offer' to keep him but Evans chose the 49ers for other reasons.

Why it matters

Evans was a key part of the Buccaneers' offense and his departure is a significant loss for the team as they look to bounce back from missing the playoffs last season. The 49ers, meanwhile, are hoping Evans can be the 'one piece away' to help them compete for a Super Bowl.

The details

The Buccaneers were committed to keeping Evans but the veteran receiver ultimately left to continue his career with the 49ers. Licht said the Bucs made a 'significantly higher offer' than the 49ers in their initial contract proposal to Evans. Licht also noted he had a verbal agreement that Evans could stay in Tampa Bay as long as he wanted. There has been speculation that Evans's frustration over the Bucs' defensive struggles in a loss to the Falcons played a role, but Licht disputed that theory, saying 'that had zero to do with it.' Evans said he chose the 49ers because they 'always compete' and he felt they were 'one piece away' from contending for a championship.

  • Evans spent 12 seasons with the Buccaneers before leaving in free agency in 2026.
  • Evans signed a 3-year, $42.4 million contract with the 49ers on March 19, 2026.

The players

Mike Evans

A star wide receiver who spent 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Jason Licht

The general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Todd Bowles

The head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

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What they’re saying

“I sold him on the organization, and also, we have a fantastic culture.”

— George Kittle, 49ers Tight End

What’s next

The Buccaneers will need to find a way to replace Evans's production on offense as they look to bounce back from missing the playoffs last season.

The takeaway

This move highlights the importance of an organization's commitment to player amenities and culture, as the 49ers' strong reputation in those areas helped them land a star player like Evans despite the Buccaneers offering more money to keep him in Tampa Bay.