Mike Evans is leaving Tampa after playing all 12 years of his career with the Buccaneers.
Evans is reportedly signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple reports Monday.
“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 Buccaneers posted Monday on social media.
The Buccaneers and Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, cited the 32-year-old’s desire for a “new challenge” as the main motivating factor in the move, which cannot become official until Wednesday, the first day of the 2026 league year.
“The Buccaneers made it clear they would have loved for Mike to finish his career in Tampa and potentially become just the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career as a Buccaneer and ultimately walk into Canton representing the organization,” agent Deryk Gilmore said in a statement, per ESPN.
“Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money. The Buccaneers were extremely aggressive in their pursuit and presented a very strong offer, demonstrating how much they value him and everything he has meant to the franchise. In the end, this decision simply came down to Mike wanting a new challenge and a fresh opportunity while he still feels he has a great deal left to give the game.”
The Buccaneers selected Evans seventh overall in the 2014 draft. He was a key piece in the Tom Brady-led squad that won the Super Bowl after 2020 season.
“Tampa Bay will always be a special place for Mike Evans, and his respect and gratitude for the organization and its fans will never change,” Gilmore’s statement said.
Evans topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons before finishing with just 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns in eight games last year. He missed three games due to a hamstring injury and six because of a broken collarbone, though he was back for the season’s final month.
The Texas A&M product just completed a two-year contract that featured an average annual salary of $20.5 million.
In 176 career games (175 starts), Evans has compiled 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. He is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in all three of those categories as well as scoring (662 points).
“He leaves as the most accomplished offensive player in franchise history – a six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion – but it was his dedication to making a difference off the field that will define his lasting legacy in our community,” the Bucs statement said.
–Field Level Media
