Jason Licht: Bucs Offered Mike Evans More Money Than He Got From San Francisco
March 18th, 2026
Lots of painful revelations today at One Buc Palace as Joe sat with three other reporters to talk all things Mike Evans with Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
Still feeling the sting and disappointment of Evans leaving the franchise after 12 seasons, Licht confirmed Evans’ decision definitely wasn’t about money.
“We made a significantly higher offer and that was just the first offer,” Licht said of his negotiations with Evans.
The conversation moved from on the record and off the record comments from the GM.
Evans, per Licht, felt great about the condition of the Bucs receivers room and feels great about the Bucs organization.
Joe asked Licht if he thinks Evans made “a football mistake” by choosing the 49ers.
Licht didn’t want to go there.
“I think, once again, I think he made a family decision,” Licht said. “So I think this was, for them to take on a new chapter. San Francisco’s a very good team. They have a very good team. I don’t want to criticize his decision.”
Licht stressed the “family decision” was about conferring with them and not tied to a prior family connection in the San Francisco bay area.
(Joe wrote early today the ProFootballTalk.com report on Evans’ contract details.)
March 18th, 2026 at 3:05 pm
Based on this off season so far where is the evidence that Licht, Bucs FO and ownership are serious about winning? The 49ers are serious about winning but I can not say the same with the Bucs.
Hoping and relying on a rookie draft class again to carry Bowles and his sorry excuse of a coaching staff across the finish line is a bit much.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Some family….
March 18th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
The Bay area is nice if you can afford it…and they can afford it.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Any hints on the off the record? He wanted out after the 3rd and 28, that broke his spirit to stay and saw that the team wasn’t interested in firing Bowles.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Can Licht not even say I think the Bucs will be a better team this year? Mike should of stayed.
Maybe everyone should be looking for the Exit if the GM can not state ME should of stayed. Why p#ssyfoot around with his feelings.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Smart team getting a deal, dumb team offering too much again. Jason not revealing anything about what the real reasons are. Hiding behind family decision. BS artist covering his backside like Bowles. We did everything we could do. Players’ fault.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
Joe wants to hear so bad that Mike dipped because of bowles and his defense lol….
but you’ve already heard it from the horse’s mouth….
Evans left because he wanted to play for a contender with a good QB…enough said…
Mike sees the BUCS as a contender WITHOUT a GOOD QB….
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
It’s almost like he had no desire to play with Baker Mayfield again after watching that bum lose 4 games in a row singlehandedly and knocking the Bucs out of playoff contention.
Anyone that thinks this is about anything other than Baker is completely clueless. Evans knows Baker isn’t ever going to win anything meaningful.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
“The Bay area is nice if you can afford it…and they can afford it.”
As someone who’s only visited once, Saulsalito really is as beautiful as the locals say it is.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:14 pm
Purdy isn’t that much better. The difference is the 49ers coaching staff is better.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:15 pm
This just in Mike wanted to leave and he left. I wish they had that same energy on a legit pass rusher instead of a 33 yr wr the team needed to move on from anyway love Mike but he wasn’t getting any younger and a number one wr he is not no matter what your heart tells you.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
The Glazers don’t know how to treat people. From the brokest fans to the Hall of Famers who grace the field at Ray Jay and leave ingloriously before their playing days are done. It’s the same old song. Yes the Bucs are fine at WR. Yes this is masterful roster management. But this is so far from okay.
It’s not greed it’s a Dan Snyder-style inability to be human and sustain a fan base based on merit not just fan loyalty. It’s the same old song and I’m long-ago resolved to who they are. Every story and other bit of attention to how this franchise is infected has been earned. It’s not just Mike Evans. It’s decades of failures that drove Mike out the door.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Can the door be left open for legit pass rusher Jason instead of a 36 year old linebacker.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Last season left ME with deep emotional scars and a lack of trust and faith in coaches and players alike. Its no different than working for a manager or team that proves they can not be trusted. You can’t change them, you just have to make a change. That’s life!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
Mike Evans wanted to leave Tampa to get better stats
He feel he need to pad his stats to get into HOF
It’s obvious he wasn’t going to get many targets here
He didn’t care about the money, he cares about more receiving yards
His last 3 games as a Buc (Less than 100 yards receiving)
Was the Handwriting on the wall
And you didn’t have to spell it out for him
March 18th, 2026 at 3:17 pm
ME13 took less money because he wanted the ball more. With the collection of good young receivers on the Bucs plus CG, it was obvious that a slowed down version of ME might not get the ball as much. That’s OK. Bucs record in 2026 with or without ME will be the same.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:19 pm
Watching you guys make up reasons for Mike leaving based on nothing but your own personal assumptions is entertain, keep on swinging fellas
March 18th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
813 and Rod have Baker living rent free in their head at all times. Baker is a top-10 qb but Bowles is a bottom-5 coach, connect the dots you delusional bunch
March 18th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
The Baker Boi(s) now claiming Evans is a diva. What awful trash individuals.
Do us all a favor and go back to Cleveland, set the river on fire, and then jump in. There isn’t one of you pieces of garbage that are Bucs fans.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
“We made a significantly higher offer and that was just the first offer,” Licht said of his negotiations with Evans.
HE DIDN’T WANT TO BE HERE.
STOP HEING BUTT HURT.
YOU BLEW IT, LICHT.
Jesus. God.
Get over it.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Rod, for the love of God, will you please acknowledge 3rd and 28 and 4th and 14?
March 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Munch,
When Licht and the Glazer’s pony up for $50Mi/yr for 4 years for Baker, will you do the honorable thing and jump into Tampa Bay with your net worth in your pocket? Pretty sure Mel Fischer won’t be looking for you.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Munch man, back to back years with injuries and rehab made ME13 mentality and physically drained! His love for the game needed to rejuvenate with the only recourse go where you want to not where you have too! As far Baker, you have posted your opinions by where in print or audio has ME13 made statements you post? Agent’s will say what is in their interest, so leave that to them.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Rod, that’s why they haven’t signed him yet!
Next year is the perfect time for a new coach!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Joe censors me if I challenge “him,” but let’s Munch piss everyone off on here.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
“Lots of painful revelations today at One Buc Palace…” Joe writes.
^^^^^
All Joe wrote about were things we already knew. The “Lots” part must have been off the record.
There’s your sign.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Ohhh, Sal, Joe’s gonna censor you too for calling him Captain Obvious.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
Ugo Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
813 and Rod have Baker living rent free in their head at all times
LOL…
yeah…those 4th quarter INTs in DEC with the playoffs on the line are hard to shake lol….makes you wanna pack up everything and head across country lol
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:51 pm
Look at fat boy ROD going off on another one of his baker obsessed tangents. You tell em Jaboo boy. What’s the address of the Jiffy Lube oil change place you work at guy, I would love to instacart you some midol
March 18th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Gipper Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 3:31 pm
Munch,
When Licht and the Glazer’s pony up for $50Mi/yr for 4 years for Baker,
Katt Williams is that you lol?…
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
My theory is more in line with @Lakeland
Mike wants/needs to be THE man and what’s best for the team is to develop EE & J-MAC.
And get Chris rolling again. Then you have Tez and Bucky and Kenny to feed.
I think the idea that he may not be read #1 every play was a problem for him.
BUT thats speculation/opinion. Only Mike knows exactly why he left.
I don’t really care – he’s gone, bye bye, don’t let the door hit you on the a$$ on your way out.
March 18th, 2026 at 3:55 pm
Gipper Says:
March 18th, 2026 at 3:20 pm
Munch,
Go help SanFran. LVD last year was as effective as you have been on these pages. At least ME and LVD don’t need a good enema like you do.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
I see a bit of irony here. The owners blew it. They are stuck with Bowles. They have a franchise QB on his last year and he may very well be as PO’ed as Mike. Are they going to try and tank with a QB playing for his next contract elsewhere ? They may lose 11 or 12 games 37/30 or 42/37. How rich would it be if Baker throws for 4000 yards and 30 tds and then signs elsewhere for a huge contract.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:08 pm
We know that Baker was talking to Mike and wanting Mike to stay. Maybe Mike lost confidence in Baker at the end of the season and thought Purdy was improving? Despite all the injuries at SF last year, they were a much better team at the end of the season than the Bucs. Bowles had totally lost the defense and Mike couldn’t see the Bucs being successful under Bowles. I certainly hope that Baker and Bowles will lead the Bucs into the playoffs again, but HOPE is a big ask this coming year.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Translation: Mike wanted to play for a winner who actually has a chance to win another superbowl before he retire. And the Bucs don’t have a chance with our current regime and roster.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
Mike screaming 3rd&28 doesn’t indicate to me a loss of confidence in Baker.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
He just felt-like a change of scenery and wanted to try something new. You only get one chance, and it’s a very short career. It was time for him to start thinking about setting himself up for ‘life after football’ and do what’s best for him and his family. Being the fresh new star in town and having a boatload of CASH to burn in Silicon Valley, is not a bad thing. I mean, HELL.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Wait, Joe, did Evans leave?
March 18th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
It seems undeniable to me that this is all about Bowles and to a large degree the owners. I’m not defending Jason but I can’t see anything he did wrong. He takes his marching orders from the owners and they have the checkbook and control everything including travel and amenities. Luke had to publicly complain just to get some heavier barbells for the weight room. That’s pocket change for them.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
So essentially he just tossed the Bucs in the closet like an old pair of tennis shoes (or cleats in this instance)
But at least the room that the closet is in has good Wide Receivers in it still
March 18th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
Bowles is the one that sold Zyon for his big contract and then Zyon laid down on Bowles.
There’s your sign.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Five offensive coordinators in five years. No player wants to deal with that nonsense, especially an older player like Evans.
The Bucs F’ed this up two years ago when Coen jumped across the state to Jacksonville and left Bowles in charge.
No matter how good the offense performs, Bowles defense will drop the ball at the end of the game. It is absolutely amazing how ignorant and arrogant the supposed best minds in football can be when it comes to obvious football decisions. Bowles is a nice guy that everyone in the building likes, and he’s mediocre at coaching on game day.
The most damnable thing now is, even when this team jumps out to a good start to a season, its almost impossible not be a cynic waiting for the inevitable fall from grace. Its every single year with this guy.
I do not blame Mike Evans one bit for leaving this cursed team. Theres a nincompoop at head coach that can’t see the forest through the trees. Anything less than a playoff win this season should mean a total reset in the front office and coaching staff, and then Evans would be looking at a sixth offensive coordinator in six years.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
“Five offensive coordinators in five years. No player wants to deal with that nonsense, especially an older player like Evans.“
This play a bigger role in our offense in terms of player development, player usage and the effectivity of our offense.
We haven’t had a 2nd year OV since 2020 with Leftwich/BA.
Hampers role expansion for younger players from year to year
Keeps the off-season floor low, because now everybody is learning the same thing for the first time again and again.
While it also makes for an offense that appears to not have an identity or anything to hang its hat on when crap hits the fan.
It matters.