Mike Evans joins 49ers after 12 seasons with Buccaneers

Wide receiver calls move a 'no-brainer' after over a decade in Tampa Bay

Mar. 12, 2026 at 8:50pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

After 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, star wide receiver Mike Evans has decided to join the San Francisco 49ers. Evans said the decision to leave Tampa Bay wasn't easy, as he and his family had built strong relationships with the Buccaneers and the community, but ultimately called the move to the 49ers a 'no-brainer'.

Why it matters

Evans is one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, having made the Pro Bowl 7 times with the Buccaneers. His departure is a significant loss for Tampa Bay, while his addition to the 49ers' offense gives them a major boost as they look to contend for a Super Bowl.

The details

Evans, 33, has spent his entire 12-year career with the Buccaneers after being drafted 7th overall in 2014. He is a 7-time Pro Bowler and 2-time First-team All-Pro, and helped lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl championship in 2020. In joining the 49ers, he will team up with young star quarterback Trey Lance and provide a big, physical target in the passing game.

  • Evans was drafted by the Buccaneers in 2014.
  • He spent 12 seasons with Tampa Bay from 2014 to 2025.
  • Evans signed with the 49ers as a free agent in March 2026.

The players

Mike Evans

A 7-time Pro Bowl wide receiver who spent the first 12 seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Trey Lance

The young starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, who will now have Evans as a top target in the passing game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The decision to leave Tampa Bay wasn't easy for me after my family and I built such strong relationships with the Buccaneers and the community over 12 seasons. But joining the 49ers was a no-brainer.”

— Mike Evans (Yankton Daily Press)

The takeaway

Evans' move from the Buccaneers to the 49ers is a major shift in the NFL landscape, as one of the league's premier wide receivers leaves a team he helped win a Super Bowl for a new opportunity on the West Coast. His addition to San Francisco's offense makes them an even more formidable contender in the NFC.