Longtime Buccaneers WR Mike Evans agrees to $60.4M deal with 49ers

The veteran wide receiver is leaving Tampa Bay after 12 seasons to join the San Francisco 49ers.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers have agreed to a three-year, $60.4 million contract with veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, who is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 12 seasons. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, is the Buccaneers' franchise leader in several receiving categories, including catches, yards, and touchdowns.

Why it matters

Evans' departure marks the end of an era for the Buccaneers, who will need to rebuild their receiving corps around Chris Godwin Jr. and other younger talents. For the 49ers, Evans' addition provides a proven veteran target to complement their existing receiving options as they look to make a Super Bowl run.

The details

The 32-year-old Evans caught a career-low 30 passes for 368 yards and three touchdowns last season, missing nine games due to a broken collarbone and concussion. However, he had recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in a record-tying 11 consecutive seasons from 2014 to 2024. Evans is the Buccaneers' franchise leader in catches, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and points. His 108 career receiving touchdowns rank 10th in NFL history.

  • Evans was the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.
  • He joined the Buccaneers in 2014 and spent 12 seasons with the team.
  • Evans missed nine games last season due to a broken collarbone and concussion.

The players

Mike Evans

A six-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion, Evans is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' all-time leader in catches, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and points.

Chris Godwin Jr.

One of the Buccaneers' top wide receivers who will be tasked with leading the team's receiving corps after Evans' departure.

Ricky Pearsall

One of the top wide receivers currently under contract with the San Francisco 49ers.

Demarcus Robinson

Another wide receiver on the 49ers' roster who will look to contribute alongside the newly acquired Mike Evans.

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What they’re saying

“Saying goodbye to a legend such as Mike Evans is never easy, but today we are filled with appreciation and gratitude for all that he did during his extraordinary 12-year career as a Buccaneer.”

— The Glazer family, Owners of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (UPI)

What’s next

The Buccaneers will need to determine how to replace Evans' production and leadership in their receiving corps, while the 49ers will look to integrate the veteran wide receiver into their offense as they aim for a Super Bowl run.

The takeaway

Mike Evans' departure from the Buccaneers marks the end of an era for the franchise, but his move to the 49ers provides the veteran receiver with a new challenge and opportunity to contribute to a contending team. The Buccaneers will need to rebuild their receiving corps, while the 49ers have added a proven playmaker to their offense.