It Seems Mike Evans’ Exit Spooked Trey Hendrickson
March 12th, 2026
“Jason, you need a helluva lot more on defense than just me. If I didn’t care about winning, I’d have stayed in Cincinnati.”
Joe has speculated that Mike Evans telling the Bucs, in essence, “Thanks but no thanks, I want to win,” might just make other free agents think twice about coming to Tampa Bay.
“If Mike Evans doesn’t think that team can win, do I really want to go there?”
It seems, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, we may have seen the first example. The Bucs were very much in the thick of bringing Hendrickson back home to Florida, Fowler wrote. The initial sticking point with Hendrickson was that Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht only wanted Hendrickson on a short-term deal. The Apopka native and graduate of Warren Sapp High School and Florida Atlantic wanted a longer deal.
And before the Crows got into the mix and aggressively pursued and signed Hendrickson, the man who has 74.5 sacks this decade let it be known he wanted to play for a contender?
Where have we heard that before?
Joe has zero idea if Evans spoke with Hendrickson — it wouldn’t be a shock. If you are Hendrickson, wouldn’t you want to reach out to Evans to get an idea of what’s going on with the Bucs and maybe get insight into why Evans bolted?
So in a span of roughly a week, Hendrickson, by way of his agent’s proxy Adam Schefter, let it be known on a *very* public forum how he would love to play for the Bucs and stay in Florida (Hendrickson lives in Ponte Vedra).
And then? “Nah, I’m good. I’m going to ride with Lamar Jackson and bet he figures out how to win a playoff game or two.”
So, if the Bucs have been branded by NFL players, two stars, as a non-contender, and since the Bucs cannot develop a rookie edge rusher, it seems the only way Licht will get a proven edge rusher is to trade for one.
Yeah, that means Licht may have to give up a cherished draft pick. But hey, it worked with Jason Pierre-Paul. It can work again.
And if Licht pulls off another heist like he did with JPP, hey, three years later, trading for a stud could be the beginning of a turnaround, just like it was with JPP winning a Super Bowl three seasons after he arrived.
The Colts, Bills, Bucs, Commanders and Eagles all were involved in Trey Hendrickson's free agency before the All-Pro agreed to terms with the Ravens, per sources.
The Colts felt like they were close at one point.
The Eagles got involved late.
Tampa pursued but on a… pic.twitter.com/LPuAONjbQv
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 11, 2026
March 12th, 2026 at 4:05 am
It’s a tanking season to draft a franchise QB and hire a new HC in 2027. Then rebuild with them over the next few seasons. So win now free agents and-or trading premium picks are off the table.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:08 am
I don’t buy the ‘not a contender’ narrative. Did Baltimore do any better last year? Read the article on Evans’ ego as his primary motivation for leaving over at Bucsport — makes all the sense in the world. Trey took the cash. So the ‘not a contender’ remains a weak explanation, and I don’t see it deterring other players.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:17 am
JT … ‘So win now free agents and-or trading premium picks are off the table.’
Looking to 2027 (as opposed to 2026) so they can hire a new HC and potentially draft a QB may well be part of the rationale as to why the Glazers retained Todd Bowles (for another year at least). But that’s no reason to let the team fall down a well.
Bucs have so many holes (especially on defense) that even if we ‘fixed’ half of them we’d still just be an average defensive team. We can fix a lot of position groups by drafting very well in the 2026 AND 2027 drafts. But we desperately need FIELD LEADERSHIP to bring those guys along. Free agents like A’Shawn Robinson and Alex Anzalone can provide that quality veteran leadership that we desperately need. Both are very good signings IMO.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:38 am
Nice gossip but players are always gonna sign for more money, longer contracts as they should
March 12th, 2026 at 4:43 am
This is a bad free agent class I’m glad we didn’t sign any of these edge rushers. If we want to make a splash we will need to move up into the top 5 and take one off the big pass rushers in the draft.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:46 am
Muscle Hampster Says:
March 12th, 2026 at 4:38 am
Nice gossip but players are always gonna sign for more money, longer contracts as they should
^^^^^^^^^^
I guess you missed what Mike Evans signed for, in a state with sky high taxes.
March 12th, 2026 at 4:56 am
Toilet Bowles
March 12th, 2026 at 4:57 am
Kirk Cousins is available as a FA
March 12th, 2026 at 5:01 am
The remedy was discussed on this forum by many posters at the end of last season….
The beatings will continue until morale improves
Jason Lite
Todd Bowels
Watch Baker leave Tampa too ….
🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
March 12th, 2026 at 5:05 am
@Colin in Canada couldn’t agree more — glad the Bucs didn’t overpay for either of the imperfect edges available. If we draft well and stay relatively healthy we can still get to the quarterback.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:09 am
Four years at the age of 30 or 31? For an edge rusher?
And coming off an injury?
Hmm… how to put this without being insulting, but still make the point?
Gutsy?? Gutsy. Yeah…
Gutsy move by the Ravens.
It’s good to know the Bucs at least got into the conversation. If I was Jason Licht, I might have balked at 4 years, too.
To be fair, Hendrickson is one of those few players where you might need to be a little more willing to step outside of your comfort zone, in order to get him signed.
As for Mike’s departure potentially spooking Hendrickson, I don’t think there’s any question Mike’s decision has spooked a lot of potential free agents from coming here.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:20 am
Why am I getting whiffs of the lost decade 😒?
March 12th, 2026 at 5:34 am
Hendrickson was offered 4 years by the Ravens while Jason probably offered a 2 year deal with much less guaranteed coin. Typical Bucs move, too cheap. I think retaining Bowles has really damaged the credibility of this franchise.
I would donate to a Go Fund Me which will put a “Fire Bowles” statement on a billboard on Dale Mabry. This tactic worked with Ron Zook in Gainesville so why not Tampa. The radio station Power Pig 93FM did one for the Bucs’ owner Mr C in about 1990 as well when he told the Trib he was thinking of moving games to Orlando… Desperate times call for desperate actions. 3rd and 28.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:37 am
Can’t blame Bowels for being here…..
March 12th, 2026 at 6:36 am
Nice article. National Enquierer or TMZ hiring?
March 12th, 2026 at 6:42 am
Please..such drivel.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:43 am
DR
With all due respect sir, did you watch the Bucs after the bye? They went 2-7, that’s what I would call down the well. And keeping the same HC and QB that lead the collapse means that tanking is inevitable. The leaders on this team are not good and with their best efforts this team will lose. You can’t teach talent and ability, and both are on short supply with the Bucs.
I’m glad people are finally realizing what I’ve been saying for MONTHS. The Bucs are looking ahead to 2027 to start over and they have to clear the books this season and free up cap space for the next regime.
March 12th, 2026 at 6:45 am
Short term deal? Sounds to me like Licht is trying to patch the holes as cheaply as possible.
Kind of like keeping Bowles because the idiots in charge gave him an extension right before Bowles crapped the bed. 3rd and 28.
Evans leaving spoke volumes.
Is this franchise back to the pre-Hardy Nickerson days when FAs laughed at the idea of signing with Tampa?
March 12th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Nice theory and it could very well be true but I think he would have played in his home city. The more believable theory, our cheap GM was never going to pay a free his age or any free that kind of money. They don’t value proven edge rushers remember
March 12th, 2026 at 7:14 am
I think the “he wants to play in Tampa” line has to have been agent-driven – in order to drive up the asking price for other teams. It didn’t come from Hendrickson himself, but rather from Schefter (and presumably fed to him by Hendrickson’s agent).
March 12th, 2026 at 7:23 am
“Short term deal? Sounds to me like Licht is trying to patch the holes as cheaply as possible.”
Or maybe, just maybe, signing a 31-year old coming off a knee injury to a four-year deal with guaranteed money is a bad idea?
March 12th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Short term cheaper deal <long term more money deal doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that had nothing to do with Mike Evans leaving lol feelings are still hurt about it it seems.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:52 am
Drivel and gossip. It’s all speculation at this point. He didn’t sign with us. Geeez, move on.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:56 am
I stated this on another post but it seems obvious the Bucs are in a boom or blow it up mindset. Nobody is being signed to long term deals, no big splashes, roster is structured with vets that can easily be let go after this year, no willingness to part ways with draft picks….im certain Evans saw this. Retaining Bowles was the biggest signal….a team that genuinely is trying to contend would have cut ties with Bowles and made a move for a coach that would take a good team to a potentially great team. Why fire nearly all the assistants but keep Bowles?….Hes the only one with a contract extension.
The writing is on the wall…..it’s SB or bust for the Bucs. The biggest tell will be if/how they extend Baker. A team trying to contend would extend him, lower his cap hit and bring in pieces for the defense or depth. We haven’t adjusted a single contract. Its status quo for this team and with Bowles that’s basically accepting .500 season which will be the end for Bowles and the beginning of a rebuild.
March 12th, 2026 at 7:58 am
The nonsense on this site is ridiculous. The Seahawks just won a Super Bowl with a QB that was more of a so called “journeyman” than Baker Mayfield. Mayfield’s stats last year were better than SB QB, Sam Darnold, yet we are “tanking” to draft a new QB? In 2024 Mayfield had a year that only a few in NFL history have ever had. Without Baker Mayfield the Bucs team has almost zero appeal. The same geniuses who wanted Kyle Trask as QB are waking up to the fact that the rest of the NFL sees Kyle as a taxi cab driver. Have said before that the Joe’s need to institute a football competency test to post here.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:00 am
All the Glazers family’s fault. If they wanted Mike Evans they wouldn’t have let him get to free agency. Glazers & Jason tried to nickel and dime a Franchise Icon and still good player. Then at last minute you want to show him the money and that you love him and found out his exit was going to a PR nightmare. Glazers, Bowles, and Licht deserve every but of bad press they are getting here. Should have fired Bowles 2 off-seasons ago. We would have a better season in 25 and Mike Evans would be a real Buc for Life right now instead of lying about it 2 years ago, like the Glazers did. I agree Joe, Trey not coming here and choosing Ravens is probably because Glazers didn’t want to spend that money on a major need and Trey could be spooked by Evans leaving for Niners in the dramatic way he left by taking much less money. This is an ugly time in Bucs history. Im so mad at watching this train wreck of an off-season.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:03 am
Another stupid take
The 112 million spooked him lol
March 12th, 2026 at 8:13 am
CapeBuc – more like COPEbuc. Classic denial. You refuse to believe reality, refuse to acknowledge the writing on the wall, what we really are.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:30 am
Jonathan Greenard, please!!! Trade a pick and then trade back in the first to recoup that pick. I don’t understand Jason’s love for his draft picks. I’d get it if he could draft a decent edge rusher.
This is strictly off vibes, I could see them going corner in Round 1.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:33 am
Ever since Brady and Gronk left this team has been spiraling down. They are a borderline playoff team and if they dont win the Division thsy wont make it. Baker has shown that he does seem to choke in playoff situations, the last two have been him choking with an interceprtion in Deteriot and a fumble vs Wash.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:34 am
“…the Joe’s need to institute a football competency test to post here.”
Ive felt that way for years. The incredibly stupid comments that are made on here make it difficult to read.
As to tanking, that is so ridiculous, as is the panic over the talent that is on this team. Do we have holes? Of course, and every NFL team has holes, every one.
TALENT FACTS:
* The Bucs beat the SB champs on the friggin road and the 49ers, with a depleted Oline.
* The Bucs went 6-2. Most NFL games are close and come down to the final few minutes. To go 6-2 takes talent, albeit, it is mostly on offense, obviously
IMO, there is no way the Bucs should have finished the season 2-7, especially with them like the Saints, Falcons, Dolphins (with a nobody QB) and the Panthers. And, IMO, both the Bills and the Pats were very beatable.
So why did they finish so badly? We all know it was coaching. Pizz poor coaching. Which we are stuck with for one more year. BUT, we do have some talent. If JL can make a trade or two along the lines that LUVMYBUCS suggested recently AND hit some home runs in the draft, the Bucs will be ok (especially if we get rid of the DC next year)
March 12th, 2026 at 8:46 am
And Joe(s), I do not agree at all that ME’s departure spooked Hendrickson. Yes, it spooked Harry, but not Trey.
First, Trey got a friggin $112M over 4 years THAT and that alone is why he signed. THAT is a ridiculous and very bad contract for a damaged 31yo EDGE to be given.
Second, if you are a super star, that comes with some ego. No doubt Hendrickson believes he would be the difference make for the Bucs – I am 100% sure he thinks he will be for the Ravens. Good contract for Hendrickson, BAD for Ravens. It will be interesting to see how this plays out at Trey’s age.
If JL would have made that offer, IMO, I would think he needs to go to the loony bin.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:55 am
Jason Licht & Todd Bowles are not good at drafting and developing a pass rush. Bowles likes to make DL as cover guys often times during games. Hiw’s that working put Todd. Bucs suck at drafting and developing a pass rush. For example please see Tryon, Brasswell, Khalil Davis, Logan Hall was DE but Bowles likes to make DE into DTs, how’s that working out. Continuing, Steven means, Noah Spence, and more.. All busts at attempts at drafting and developing pass rush in Bucs last 10 years of drafting. Better to trade for a defensive rusher cause I don’t trust Licht & Bowles to draft and develop the picks at rushing for rushing QBs. If they pick a a guy who rushes theat guy is going to be bust again anyway. Gambling sites should take bets on whether the Bucs draft picks who are rushers don’t bust.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:57 am
I call “shenanigans” on this one. It was about the multi year deal and the fat money deal. He can yip about “I wanna stay in Florida” and then go to Baltimore? Follow the money.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:08 am
Vanessa Anne Says:
March 12th, 2026 at 5:09 am
Four years at the age of 30 or 31? For an edge rusher?
And coming off an injury?
Hmm… how to put this without being insulting, but still make the point?
++++++++++++++
Yup – and Trey held out two seasons ago for more money and did not play. He whined about wanting to stay in Florida but then bolts for the Ravens because they were fooloish enough to give him $28 million a year for four years.
The Bucs are still cleaning up after the Super Bowl run and have to watch the money. That’s a simple fact. Giving an EDGE with a bad hip $28 million a year is insane.
And meanwhile – Mike Evans getting advice from locker room poison LeSean McCoy.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:20 am
He watched some radio film n was like nah I don’t want to cover a RBs. 🥴
March 12th, 2026 at 9:44 am
Gotta say its noticeably more whiny and depressing on this site lately and now even the writers are in on it
March 12th, 2026 at 9:45 am
About that edge rush lol. Oh Jason youre truly just a dumb jock who hot lucky in life. You dont know wtf ur doing do u? You overvalued this entire team and staff and its about to blow up in ur fing face
March 12th, 2026 at 9:53 am
it says right in there that he wanted a longer deal and the Bucs were not offering it! WTH
it says no where that he was ready to accept the Bucs offer and then backed out due to Mike leaving. Stop making stuff up to be dramatic. Now this place is just getting downright silly.
March 12th, 2026 at 9:53 am
He went for the 4 year deal…stop over thinking this Evan’s stuff…Evan’s left because the offense last year stunk…he did not want to take chances on the new OC…had the offense still been running like Liam had it going Bucs would have been in the playoffs.
With Evan’s leaving Bucs take a 15 mil hit on cap next year. And Hendrickson has some serious miles on him and coming off a significant injury .
March 12th, 2026 at 10:37 am
The Suckaneers are back and we are definitely not a contender.
That was solidified when we retained Bowles again.
We’re going to suck a$$ next season.
March 12th, 2026 at 11:47 am
Only desperate cast offs will play for Bowels just to get a pay check on short term deals.
No players of any true merit will come to Tampa at this point.
Unfortunately the Glazer kids don’t care about winning anymore.
I believe they used to care, but are just in profit mode now.
Todd sucks at his jobs but he is cheap. Bottom line thinking for a basement dwelling division.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
Gipper Says:
March 12th, 2026 at 7:58 am
The nonsense on this site is ridiculous. The Seahawks just won a Super Bowl with a QB that was more of a so called “journeyman” than Baker Mayfield. Mayfield’s stats last year were better than SB QB, Sam Darnold, yet we are “tanking” to draft a new QB? In 2024 Mayfield had a year that only a few in NFL history have ever had. Without Baker Mayfield the Bucs team has almost zero appeal. The same geniuses who wanted Kyle Trask as QB are waking up to the fact that the rest of the NFL sees Kyle as a taxi cab driver. Have said before that the Joe’s need to institute a football competency test to post here.
Go Gipper!!!
March 12th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
It’s a good edge draft class and linebacker class. We have a good receiver room without mike and we’re going to be fine. The negativity needs to stop. The contracts given out to some of these mediocre edge rushers are atrocious and we’re better off sticking to the draft.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
I’m with you DR. Both are good signings in my opinion too. And we’re just getting started. Gonna be some new faces on this defense this year.
March 12th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
And welcome to the new lost decade. What a depressing off-season on so many levels. It’s a Bucs life!
March 12th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Why would anyone come to Tampa unless JL and Bucs made an offer you couldn’t refuse? This franchise is headed in one direction under current regime and it is NOT UP. Shame on the Glazers for keeping this leadership. They are gonna get what they deserve.
#TeamDelusional
March 12th, 2026 at 1:13 pm
All of the top free edgerushers would want to go to the highest contenders. Given the Bucs 2025 season record, the Bucs were not held in high esteem. Injuries played a part in the Bucs record. The top 3 available prospects had there share of missed games and Jason Licht didn’t want his head chopped off by the fans and media for selecting damaged goods with a multiple year contract.
You guys love the drama and what if sceneries to full the void until season starts.
March 12th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Not sure but Joe would guess TMZ is and the National Enquirer is not. Joe does know TMZ makes money. Lots of money. Harry Levin knows what he is doing and Joe doesn’t deny emulating Levin to a degree.
And Joe’s traffic still dwarfs others. Hhhmmm? Think there is a connection? Joe writes what Joe finds interesting with strict standards of accuracy and ethics. This is not TMZ. Joe could make a lot of cash with a daily rumors column that has never been seen here, or writing about personal lives or player business off the field.
March 12th, 2026 at 2:40 pm
Lol joe is hilarious.. only here to get the casual fined worked up over even morew on todd bowles.. Tom Brady left the patriots and somehow bucs fans believe mike evans shouldve been a lifer… How about you report how mike evans said in his 9ers press conference that he wanted to play with a MVP quarterback.
Baker jerkers will hate to hear that
March 12th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Joe
How come every time someone points out you are posting rumors and speculation, and creating possibly fictional narratives you pivot to how much traffic you get?
Gross exaggeration, and an extraordinary misrepresentation of Joe’s business was deleted.–Joe
The thing about TMZ is they actually seem to fact check. Definitely think the Enquirer is a better comp.
Not always, but at times, it does seem more like a gossip mag than a sports blog.
Obviously it’s your choice but I would think you’d want to post more – verifiable info and less – I think maybe because so and so said this to whoever it might mean something else content.
Entitled to your opinion. The reality of the archives here tell the full story. –Joe
Another question – why don’t the Joes id themselves on articles ? At least 1 or 2 Joes seem to avoid the gossip in there articles…. At least 1 constantly does. Why the anonymity?
Joe wants the focus on the content and fans, and not the writers. Been like that since Day 1 in 2008. –Joe
March 12th, 2026 at 3:27 pm
I hope all free agents are spooked by Mike Evans exit. I hope the Bucs get the bottom of the barrel. I can stand an 0-17 season if it means we get shed of Todd Bowels.
Zac attack has one year to improve the offense and prove he will be our next head coach.
March 12th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Wouldn’t it be more reasonable to conclude that Evans signed with 49ers bc they gave him the more money than any other team offered? We all love Mike but why would the Bucs invest an AAV of $20m in an aging player that is obviously breaking down. Football is a business and there is probably not a scenario where the Bucs continue to invest resources in aging veterans and still compete for championships. Mike is the best but FAs sign for money,
March 12th, 2026 at 8:15 pm
Total B.S. What “spooked” Hendrickson was the same thing that “spooked him for all other teams that didn’t sign him. He wanted a long term deal. If the Bucs had offered him 5 years, he would have signed with the Bucs in a heartbeat. Any other conclusion is simply click-bait.
March 12th, 2026 at 8:19 pm
Another super annoying opinion is that “the Bucs cannot develop a rookie edge rusher”.
Tell me, what edge rusher have the Bucs drafted that they could not develop that went elsewhere and suddenly be came a pass rushing freak.
I’ll wait while the crickets chirp.