Jason Licht References “Family Decision” In Mike Evans Bolting
March 18th, 2026
Bucs GM Jason Licht.
This afternoon, Bucs general manager Jason Licht had a sitdown with Joe and a select group of local media.
Licht was kind enough to do this specifically to address the greatest offensive player ever drafted by the Bucs wanting to wash his hands of the team.
The previous sentence may seem harsh and the Bucs may not appreciate it, but that’s what Evans did. He left a team claiming he had a chance to win a ring with the 49ers even though the 49ers lost to the Bucs last season, even without Evans.
A player doesn’t take a massive pay cut to go to a lesser team unless he’s done with the previous organization. Joe always calls what is obvious.
Over the period of 20-plus minutes Licht held his sitdown, at least three times Licht stated the rationale for Evans leaving was a “family decision” to pursue a new “chapter.”
Well, for Joe, this has all sorts of overtones. Was there a family issue with an ill relative Evans (or his wife) wanted to be closer to? Does Evans’ oldest daughter (who is currently in high school) plan to go to Stanford? Did Evans’ wife get sick of Florida (she’s the one who advised Evans to stay in Tampa two years ago because he was happy here)?
Joe asked Licht for clarification what he meant by “family decision.” Licht really didn’t offer one other than to suggest Evans and his family wanted to start a new chapter elsewhere.
We know Evans didn’t leave for money. And Licht dismissed the notion Todd Bowles may have chased Evans away.
Unfortunately, “family decision” seemed like a rehearsed catchphrase to soften the blow of a Hall of Fame receiver not wanting to be with the Bucs.
“I mean, he loves this team,” Licht said of Evans. “He loves everything about it.”
Instead, Evans was willing to take a haircut worth millions of dollars to go away.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Mike earned his stripes in the NFL and gave his heart and soul to the franchise.
He has earned the right to play for any team he chooses.
Dollars to donuts he had long talks with this scenario with Tom Brady
His contract was up !
I donât blame him at all!
March 18th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Getting closer, Joe. What is your guess on the WHY? Can we all call the spade a spade? Go on record!
March 18th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Brady made him do it đ¤Ł
March 18th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Joe … ‘Unfortunately, âfamily decisionâ seemed like a rehearsed catchphrase to use to soften the blow of a Hall of Fame receiver not wanting to be with the Bucs any longer.’
Guess that’s 1 interpretation Joe. Another could be to take it at face value.
March 18th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
He left for that Gold Jacket
March 18th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
SO SAD
Not Mike leaving, how obsessed some of you are by it.
Which one of these receivers stayed with their team their entire career?
Jerry Rice
Randy Moss
Terrell Owens
Isaac Bruce
Tony Gonzales
Tim Brown
Andre Johnson
Julio Jones
Answer: 0
He’s gone. It happens … a lot. Move on.
Turns out there is a really cool thing call the NFL Draft in a month.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Bowles was the reason. The guy can’t coach defense. 28-3
March 18th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Saying it was a family decision could mean anything. Mike left for less money. He’s under no obligation to discuss his true feelings. Maybe after he eventually retires he may discuss it but I highly believe that is unlikely.
He’s gone. The story is over.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Don’t let the door hit your always injured A$$$ on the way out Mikael.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Slap, donât miss the point. Heâs gone, we get it. But the WHY he left is still there. And the media tip toes around it (even the anonymous media). The WHY is what we fans are still stuck with.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:03 pm
I referenced this on other Mike post from today, but posting the results here for reference. I think the NFLPA report card explains things pretty well:
Treatment of Families: D
Home Game Field: F-
Food/Dining Area: D+
Nutritionist/Dietician: B-
Locker Room: D-
Training Room: C
Training Staff: C+
Weight Room: A-
Strength Coaches: A
Position Coaches: B
Offensive Coordinator: B
Defensive Coordinator: A-
Special Teams Coordinator: C+
Team Travel: F
Head Coach: B
General Manager: A-
Team Ownership: D
Overall Rank: 29
March 18th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
he lost Hope with this team. With Todd as Coach so have we quite a bit.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
If the Bucs offense don’t turn the ball over
And if they get a few first downs on their final possession
There wouldn’t be a 3-28
The game would’ve been over long ago
March 18th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
âNew chapterâ and âfamily decisionâ
Licht is a professional. Those are pre determined, pre approved talking points. Not that I thought heâs provide anything else. Thatâs his job.
Also – we are not a better team than the 49ers.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
If you as a fan were frustrated with the Bucs in 2024 and 2025 imagine how hard it was for a player!
Especially when they know the true stories behind the results at the end of every game.
The second half of the last two seasons was soul crushing.
Yeah Mike was gonna roll the dice with OBP in 2026 ⌠how can anyone not understand the whyâs and only focus on the fact that he is gone.
Reminds me of a child crying as his county fair balloon floats higher and higher after slipping from his hands
March 18th, 2026 at 5:12 pm
Another day FIVE MORE MIKE EVANS STORIES.
He is gone. We arent here for 49er news. Please…. stop
Joe writes what Joe finds interesting. Today, the Bucs GM addressed Mike Evans leaving. Easy to see why Joe was interested. –Joe
March 18th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
That’s his lie and he’s sticking to it. No further explanation forthcoming. Confidential you know. Clever slimeball.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
Jason is between a rock and a very hard place. He’s in the middle.
We don’t know how much he has advocated for or against Bowles with the owners.
It’s clear the owners are fond of and side with Bowles.
Jason has been cleaning up the mess at 1 Buc for a long time.
I wonder if he will look for another challenge next year.
Could the Bucs be on the road to perdition ?
March 18th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
100% over Mike Evans leaving. Time to focus on the future of this team.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Gonna have to get Bruce Arians out of here before anything will change.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
Let’s pump the brakes on this “he left for a lesser team” talk. The 49ers went to the playoffs last year in the strongest division in the NFL. The Bucs missed the playoffs in the weakest.
The 49ers compete hard every year under Shanahan despite so much bad injury luck people are talking about the electrical transformers across the street from the practice facility.
The Bucs get 2 injuries and look like a college team that doesn’t belong on an NFL field.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Definitely agree Licht was trying to wash over the whole matter. I don’t think we heard Evans ever say it was a Family matter. Evans flat said it was a FOOTBALL decision not Family.. Licht wasn’t going to say hey Mike got frustrated with the Organization. However, I hope the Bucs take a hard look at themselves and say hey maybe we should look at what we are doing. The best offensive player in history just said no thanks to more money and retiring as a Buc. Presently the Organization looks really bad and guess what the team is not looking to good right now. Presently everything looks like Evans has been spot on.
Evans spoke I hope the Bucs listen to what a member of their Family told them.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
How about an updated article on the o-line projected health status? Mauch for example? How about Walker on D?
Already wrote about Mauch being more than on track for OTAs. Talked about it on the Ira Kaufman Podcast, as well. –Joe
March 18th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Research into Bucs NFLPA report cards over the past 3 years indicates the prime reason for playersâ discontent was the Bucs charging $90 per child for day care for home games. Most other teams provide that free of charge. The Bucs did stop charging the $90 per tot in 2025 but did nothing to improve the postgame meeting area or improve their family services related to away games.
This isnât âthe whyâ but itâs one of many areas that drove off Evans, fans and who knows what else. It is well within the Glazersâ capacity to clean-up so much that is wrong. How do you not see how charging for daycare can grind players gears? How can you try to sell us on that type of stuff is why he left? This is ugly.
March 18th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Boy , Jason is spreading it thick all over town today ! 3rd&28 pal !!
March 18th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Joe, why do YOU think he left? We want your opinion. Youâre anonymous for goodness sake. Why do YOU think he left? Weâd rather hear your opinion than the front office is spin. You clearly read these things, why arenât you dodging this question?
March 18th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Mike won’t waste his breath trying to teach these egotistical fools the facts of life tn Bucville. If they can’t see the obvious now, they never will.
March 18th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Another Evans post. Take a shot everyone
March 18th, 2026 at 6:36 pm
Sly Pirate nailed it.