Buccaneers Ex-WR Mike Evans Reveals Feelings on Leaving Tampa

The veteran wide receiver signed a 3-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 9:05pm

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After spending his entire 11-year NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, wide receiver Mike Evans has signed a 3-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Evans acknowledged that it was difficult to leave the Buccaneers, but said the 49ers were the best football fit for him moving forward.

Why it matters

Evans was a key part of the Buccaneers' offense during their Super Bowl-winning 2020 season and has been a consistent star for the franchise. His departure leaves a void in Tampa Bay's receiving corps, though they do have other talented options like Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka.

The details

Evans said in his introductory press conference with the 49ers that it was "always going to be hard to leave Tampa," but that San Francisco was the "best spot" for him football-wise. The Buccaneers have a number of other receivers on the roster, including Godwin, Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Tez Johnson, so they should be able to withstand the loss of Evans to an extent.

  • Evans signed a 3-year deal with the 49ers on March 12, 2026.

The players

Mike Evans

An 11-year veteran wide receiver who spent his entire NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The NFL franchise that Mike Evans played for since being drafted in 2014, winning a Super Bowl with the team in 2020.

San Francisco 49ers

The NFC West team that signed Mike Evans to a 3-year contract in free agency after he spent over a decade with the Buccaneers.

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What they’re saying

“It was always going to be hard to leave Tampa. Football-wise, this was the best spot for me for sure. I've always appreciated how the Niners went about their business on the football field.”

— Mike Evans

The takeaway

The departure of Mike Evans, a Buccaneers franchise icon, marks the end of an era in Tampa Bay. While the team has other talented receivers, replacing Evans' production and leadership will be a significant challenge. For the 49ers, signing Evans is a major coup as they look to bolster their offense and make a Super Bowl run.