Bucs GM: I Didn’t Want To Hold Mike Evans “Hostage”
March 18th, 2026
Candid stuff today from Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht, who said he has not yet had a phone conversation with departed Bucs legend Mike Evans since he agreed to sign with the 49ers.
Licht did confirm he and Evans have texted and noted he expects to talk to Evans at some point.
Joe thinks that indicates just how emotional Evans’ departure has been for all parties.
Could Evans leaving Tampa Bay have been prevented in March of 2024 or after the 2024 season? That was addressed when Licht was at a conference table with Joe this afternoon.
Here was the exchange:
JoeBucsFan.com: Do you feel like two years ago when Mike was saying, ‘I want to be a Buc for life,’ and maybe after 2024 when there was the big finish to the season and he got 1,000 yards [in the final game], that those were times when you could have added an extra year to his contract? That he would have been ready for it? Do you have any regret on those fronts?
Jason Licht: There’s a lot of hypotheticals you could say here. He knew that we had a verbal agreement that he could be here as long as he wants. And he understood that. There was never any clamoring on his part to add years to it. I also don’t want to hold him hostage, either. I really don’t have any regret about it.
Evans simply wanted to leave. He sort of had a blank check from the Bucs to re-sign in free agency, Licht revealed, and a “verbal agreement” to be a career Buccaneer.
It’s a been a challenging week for Bucs fans wanting to blame anyone but Evans for bolting for the 49ers.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
Joe, WHY did he leave? Write about that, not the symptom/obvious news.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:30 pm
Mike had a great career I love how he contributed to the community but in the last two years he’s been hurt a lot father time has been catching up with him. When he was on the field and healthy you could not go one-on-one but it got to the point he was barely on the field 50% of the time so what are we really looking at how much will he really be missed. I don’t think it’ll be that much. Just going to go to San Fran and he’s going to get hurt or his hamstring going to blow out definitely by game six or seven he will be hurt
March 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Evans simply wanted to leave. And he’s gone. How’s JJ Roberts recovery going? Is he going to be ready for OTAs? Promising young Buccaneer…asking for a friend.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:33 pm
Everyone knows Mike Evans is chasing the HOF
He left to get more opportunities in a less crowded WR room
People keep saying he’s a lock for the HOF
But, that not necessary true
Reggie Wayne has 1,300 more receiving yards, also a Super Bowl ring
And he’s not in the HOF, Mike understand this
He wants to move up the all time receiving yards standing
March 18th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
Well, then you’re stupid. You should have tagged him. You earned the right by treating him well.
Now he’s gone. Let it go. You BLEW it.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
lakeland
title to your option but i fully disagree
RW didnt have 11 straight 1k seasons….plus RW was catching passes from Manning, which makes what mike did more remarkable…mike had 1k with glennon, mccown, winston and baker
2 JAGS and 2 BUST LOL….
Mike is a lock for the HOF
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
What a BS artist. JL created the conditions where Evans had total control of the situation then tried to bribe his way out offering too late money only. Evans laughed in his face. he could have locked him up 2 years ago or last year, if he really wanted him. This was all for show. Outsmarted himself again. “Sound” FO, please!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
He doesn’t believe in Bowles and this garbage defense.
He didn’t want to play for a lame duck HC and go through another regime change.
Good luck Big Mike!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:48 pm
I appreciate Licht’s candor. It seems he did everything he could including keeping the roster stocked with quality WRs but Glazers is as Glazers does.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Andre Johnson and Chris Carter is in the HOF
Both of them has LESS receiving yards than Reggie Wayne
And neither of them have a Super Bowl win
Mike Evans is aware of this,
He want to go somewhere he can get the ball in his hands
It’s not happening here in Tampa
He need better stats than he have now
Plain and Simple
March 18th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Stop this already. Mike left because he wanted to win a championship and the 49ers looked like a better bet. That’s it. He earned the right. He did well by us and we by him. Let go!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
JL making excuses…the end is near for him
March 18th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
How can Mike Evans be a LOCK to get into the HOF
When Bill Belichick a man with 8 Super Bowls win
6 as a HC, and 2 as an assistant coach, didn’t get enough votes
And you have Don Shuka, Chuck Noll, Tom Landry in on 1st ballot
A HOF LOCK is someone who gets in in their first ballot
March 18th, 2026 at 3:59 pm
lakeland
Mike could pass all of them in 2026 lol…
he only needs 1,300 yards…he signed a 2year contract
he’s already a lock
if mike averages 800yards over the next 2years he’ll pass Marvin…
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 4:00 pm
“””Don Shuka
March 18th, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Lakeland Says: How can Mike Evans be a LOCK to get into the HOF
When Bill Belichick a man with 8 Super Bowls win
6 as a HC, and 2 as an assistant coach, didn’t get enough votes
C’MON BRO…YOU’RE WAY SMARTER THAN THAT!!!!
spygate….deflate gate…
thats why Bill isnt 1st ballot….and i thought Mike was a player not a coach…
if steve smith is in, with fighting teammates and no ring Mike is 100% a LOCK
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
@FanofdaBucs: Good call. I almost forgot about JJ Roberts. Between he and David Walker who knows..? The Bucs might be in better shape than we thought.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Evans has given his all to some crappy Bucs teams and crappy Bucs coaches. He’s a pillar of the community, a fan favorite. He’s also “old” and he deserves to be able to go somewhere else if you don’t have faith in the guy running the show
March 18th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
813bucboi,
Well why Jason Taylor is in the HOF
And Simeon Rice isn’t in?
March 18th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
The Moment: Instead of taking a knee to end the game after a defensive stop, the Buccaneers ran one last play specifically for Evans, who needed 85 yards entering the game.
The Catch: It was a short pass-and-run to the left side, securing his $3 million contract bonus.
Significance: The catch secured a 27-19 win, the NFC South title, and extended his record for most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin a career
———————————-
2 men made that happen. Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
Tell me how many super bowls has k shanahan won? Zero right? Been to one and lost. Why he he so great again? A great play caller?? Uh not really since no titles. Mikes works ring hollow that he wanted to be a buc for life. Why not just
Come out and plainly state what your problems were.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
I tend to agree with Lakeland insofar as Mike REALLY wants to pad the stats so there is no doubt he’s a first ballot guy. And if healthy he’ll clearly get more touches in San Fran. Does he want to win (another) SB? Of course, but I don’t think that’s his primary motivator. If he didn’t have one already, sure. But receptions, yards, TDs, he’s far more likely to get that in SF. I don’t think the QB has anything to do with it. he’s gotten 1K from guys better (TB) and worse (everyone else) than Baker. Purdy will do just fine.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Lakeland Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
813bucboi,
Well why Jason Taylor is in the HOF
And Simeon Rice isn’t in?
————
Yeah, because Taylor is white.
Oh, wait, he’s not? Actually I’m not sure what Taylor is.
Interesting fact though, Taylor had zero sacks in 9 playoff games – while Rice had 7 in 7 playoff games.
It is ridiculous that Rice hasn’t at least gotten into the final rounds of voting. His production is there, he was regarded at the time as probably the best edge pass rusher in the NFL.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Wait, Joe, did Evans leave???
March 18th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Breaking news Mike left because he wanted to, how is David Walkers recovery going joe.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
Read between the lines translation
Mike Evans didn’t want to play ball negotiating or on the field with the Bucs.
End of the last two seasons comment section on JBF and you will be reminded of the vibe…. Rot and death
March 18th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
The Bucs coaching staff help start his streak and continue it
2014. 1051 receiving yards
2017. 1001 receiving yards
2020. 1006 receiving yards
2024. 1004 receiving yards
March 18th, 2026 at 4:24 pm
Lakeland Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
813bucboi,
Well why Jason Taylor is in the HOF
And Simeon Rice isn’t in?
LOL….you’re trying to move the goal post lol
more sack and longevity
you have to have ALL the stats if you dont have the ring….
i dont think Eli Manning was better than Phillip Rivers but Eli has the rings…you think Phillip isnt a lock for HOF?
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
“…Bucs fans wanting to blame anyone, but Evans for bolting…”
Thank you. Sincerely. So refreshing.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
Mike does have being a Buc for 12 years going against him…. for some reason the NFL types do not like the Bucs. You see it in the officiating and the media, bet NFL brass do not like them either.
He might not get it as a 1st time ballot
March 18th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Munch! Damn it. Just when I think I’ve got you figured out.
I agree with you on Rice!
When you’re right, you’re right.