Mike Evans May Have Been 49ers’ Third-Choice Receiver
March 10th, 2026
Interesting report this afternoon from chief NFL insider for Sports Illustrated Albert Breer.
Speaking on his MMQB show, Breer noted how the San Francisco 49ers were in on trying to acquire big-money wide receivers Alec Pierce and Romeo Doubs. As Bucs fans know too well, Mike Evans signed with the 49ers to be their No. 1 receiver.
Pierce and Doubs, both 25 years old, were high-demand players in free agency.
Pierce re-signed with the Colts yesterday for about $29 million per year on four-year contract. Doubs moved from the Packers to the Patriots today on a reported four-year, $68 million contract with a maximum value of $80 million.
The terms of Evans’ contract are unclear; hard facts aren’t out yet and there are conflicting reports online. But it seems clear that Evans got a lot less money than Pierce and a shorter deal than Doubs.
These realities could explain Evans’ reported weekend comments to LeSean “Shady” McCoy.
Joe is ready to vomit thinking about Evans eagerly waiting to bolt the Bucs if the 49ers couldn’t get Pierce or Doubs. Damn, in that scenario, Evans was willing to be choice No. 3 to get out of Tampa and to an allegedly better place.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:07 pm
We was ready to leave period not mad at it he wants to win and it wasn’t happening here #blowitup
March 10th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
What until they get a hold of those Hammy issues causing him to tap his helmet to come out every time he would run full speed for more than 30 yards. Time for others to shine. We already drafted his replacement last year. Spend to $$ on our Putrid Pass Defense. Go BUCS!! Why does Todd still have his job again?
March 10th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
3rd and 28.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:10 pm
Yet Albert’s cohort at SI seems to think theatMike Evans Could Be the Most Consequential Signing of Free Agency.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but no one told him it is over a septic tank. Don’t tell Mike he was 3rd choice it could break his fragile ego, all WR’s that are worth anything has the egos.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
mike is smart to move on. loser bucs are back….the stench from last year will not wash off quickly….
March 10th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
Jumping off a sinking pirate ship. Captain Bowles at the helm, steady as she goes. By mid-season they’ll be fighting for lifeboats.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:15 pm
3rd and 28.
Fire Todd.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:15 pm
So what…..move on from mike…..fire Todd
March 10th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Limping and Grimacing I will not miss .
March 10th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
“Just gotta get better” – Toad Bowels
March 10th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Im about to bolt tampa also you kidding me. Bowles has turned it into a mess.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
Just stop. He’s gone. Its over Joe. Time heals. Let’s turn the page and start writing content about the players who love the red and pewter
March 10th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
If you’re not interested in elements of Mike Evans leaving, that’s fine, but no need to insult Joe and make things up. –Joe
March 10th, 2026 at 4:23 pm
Best for both parties.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
If you guys are surprised these articles are happening you haven’t been listening to the podcast which you should because ira is awesome it also seems ira isn’t surprised and isn’t nearly as heartbroken I guess is the word I dunno it’s been kinda weird.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
So no signing today. That was the big 3. Lloyd woulda been better and numb some of the pain.
Lost our #1 WR and CB. Replaced a very valuable RB.
All we have done is lose strength,, depth in key areas and slightly improved our ILB2
Wtf
March 10th, 2026 at 4:27 pm
How’s this for your evenings’ meal conversation. SF sports writers claim that the Bucs offered MORE than he signed for with 49ers!!!
Think of that. He wanted OUT of this sinking ship. Now think of this. If you were a player like Mike, would YOU want to play your last years’ playing for a team like the current Bucs (3rd and 28) or a team like the 49ers desperately trying to reach the SB?
” but no one told him it is over a septic tank.” Bakerfan, have you ever been to the Santa Clara valley? It’s good the best climate in the US – -maybe the world!
March 10th, 2026 at 4:28 pm
Will be a miracle if Bowles hohumly coasts this team to a 1st Rd playoff loss
March 10th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
JL ain’t done basically s@@@
March 10th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
It’s ironic, Evans went from a coach thats known for 3-28, to a coach thats known for 28-3.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
I think everyone can see what Mike saw as well…. This team, in a weak division, will have a hard time making it to the playoffs. Mike is looking at doing everything possible to get into the Hall of Fame. With all the options the Bucs would have had if Evans stayed I think he wanted to go somewhere that he would be the first and second option in the passing game. Plus in SF he will get the media attention that he never got in Tampa.
Still can’t believe the Bucs didn’t do any and everything to ensure their 1 and only offensive Hall of Fame player never played for a different team. You should have franchised him! I swear the Bucs just hate being a good team and franchise and sabotage themselves any chance they get.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
Boy did Licht and Bowles really get aggressive in FA! 🤦♂️
Pathetic. I’m normally glass half full, but this is unacceptable if we’re done making moves. We have more holes than before and haven’t done jack about it. Yes we signed a 32 y/o LB (who I like) and a RB that hopefully is better than Tucker. FA is for urgently building a desperate team – and yet we are much worse off.
What is the plan? This is not cutting it.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
Draft another Buckeye WR.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
Bucs are no ones choice.. they suck again.. this GM has nothing but the media loves him cause they know him personally
March 10th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
I believe that fans and media are overreacting to the situation. The simplest explanation is that he was ready for a change. Probably wanted to move back out west. Most likely a decision the whole family made.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Egbuka is going to be a bust after this year. Another Hargreaves
March 10th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Apathy
March 10th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
Play rn and Carolina wins by 3 tds
March 10th, 2026 at 4:45 pm
Could give a DAMN guy not happy his business
Watch will play 4 games pull a hammy on that field in SF
Wanted multi year the Bucs moved on
Stop about the 3rd and 28 it’s simple he wanted out
Great knowing ya lol bye Felicia
Stop talking about it
March 10th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
The talent we do have now is offset by the glaring weakness of talent we dont have. At Edge, at CB, at DE2, at TE. And losing M1K3 removes the rest of any Edge we still had, until a WR1 emerges. Better hope David returns. Until this team signs a veteran Edge and CB worth a s@@@@ we are f@@@@@@.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Buccaneers entire organization is a JOKE!!
March 10th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
lol
Joe basically tells us what he hears on podcasts
Other Buccaneers insiders have contacts on the team to give them information
But not Joe.
Thanks for the laugh. You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about. Heck, just in the last few weeks Joe broke the news of Lavonte David’s knee surgery days after Joe broke the news of Bucky Irving’s shoulder surgery. –Joe
March 10th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Third and Twenty Eight
March 10th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Another guaranteed losing record for us next year.
Mike was wise to leave if he wants a chance to win another SB.
March 10th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Have a BIG year BIG Mike. Prove them all wrong… I know and understand why could got off the Titantic.
#TeamDelusional (Glazers)
March 10th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Joe,
I’m champing at the bit for the next Ira Kaufman podcast. Excited to hear you all discuss Evans leaving the Buccaneers and deeper understanding the “why?”
We meet and publish tomorrow. Want to soak in all angles first for the best possible podcast. –Joe
March 10th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Here’s where I’m with Mike. Heal the OL and the offense should be fine. But the defense is as solid as cheesecloth, and nothing’s been done to address the horrible play calling and weakness at every level. How could SF possibly be a worse alternative?
March 10th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
IT WAS TIME TO MOVE ON !!!
THANK YOU MIKE EVANS
THANK YOU LAVONTE DAVID
THEY BOTH HAD WONDERFUL CAREERS HERE I AM GRATEFUL FOR THEM. BUT THEY ARE ON THE WRONG SIDE OF 30 IN THE NFL. THEY HAVE A TON OF MILEAGE.
NO HARD FEELINGS, ITS TIME TO MOVE ON !!!
BAKER IS THE NEW FACE OF THIS FRANCHISE
WHAT ARE WE DOING AT CORNERBACK
WHAT ARE WE DOING AT PASS RUSHER
March 10th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Well, unfortunately for us, it isnt “allegedly” a better situation. It IS a better situation. If Evans remains healthy – Kyle Shanahan is going to give him a career year. Not only that and perhaps most importantly, it is very very easy to see why it got stale here. Let’s call a spade a spade, why spend your remaining years going 9-8 with Todd Bowles in the same, sorry, boring division. This could potentially enhance Mikes profile in a massive way, gets to play in a marquee division in marquee matchups and more marquee games. Honestly a no brainer if you care about your legacy
March 10th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Realistically. How many more games did we win with Mike playing last year? I seem to remember him coming back and not really changing much
March 10th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
After Mike pays his California state income tax of 12.3% he’ll be playing for a little bit over 12 million. Boy if that isn’t a slap in the face. Mike isn’t stupid. He just simply knew that ToddBowles is not a head coach in the NFL and would be wasting another year of his football career which there aren’t that many left. We need to play out the season to know for sure which way this goes. But boy playing for 12 million it sure wasn’t about money. Our pirate ship is headed in the wrong direction.
March 10th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Forget Mike, it’s over forget sbout it screw him let’s move on we are still very good at receiver. It’s the Todd Bowles defense that needs to be talked about
March 10th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
I mean to be fair we were going to lose with or without Evans do to having the inept Bowles as coach. He sucks that Mike can’t finish his career here but it wasn’t going to change the outcome either way.
March 10th, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Mike will shine for a little bit. He was done with that last concussion/injury. He’s just milking someone else. We didn’t want him or we would have him. Cold world baby. Love the guy, but let him milk SF.
March 10th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
Need the next installment of the podcast!! Can’t wait to hear from the Joe that’s usually calm and level headed. Really only heard him go full tilt a couple of times on the podcast. But this time!!!! This time is different and I’m expecting the “80% sure Evans is coming back” Joe to go all out letting everyone at OneBuc have it for letting Evans go!!! I’m sure he’s needed the time to cool down a little so they don’t ban him, but can’t wait!! I hope he says what we’re all thinking!! First 10 minutes should be Joe just going off the deep end hammering away on all of them! Go Joe Go!!! Full tilt buddy!!!
I saw the other Joe write that the nonsense of “ no player that they wanted to keep has left” can finally come to an end. Everything I’m seeing is they sure as heck didn’t do everything they could to keep him, which to me means they really didn’t want him. They could have franchised him if they didn’t want him to go!!
March 10th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Must draft Edge, CB 1st 2 picks
March 10th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Which sucks bcuz we dont need young players at those positions.
TE Rd 1 ILB Rd 2 would have been much better. Much better
March 10th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
Need 4 players from this draft to be Defensive stars
March 10th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
the 49ers as much as I hate them give him that true spotlight being a big market team and with being slim at receiver the chance to elevate his stats and tie with Jerry Rice plus they offered the 3 years he needs to do it!
Only thing is that being out here and 49er games take priority so I have unfortunately had to watch a lot, Brock Purdy is worse than Baker when it comes to decision making, never knows when to take the check down or throw it away and puts his receivers in danger a lot trying to force it hence their injuries! its nothing new to them, its an annual problem. Its arguably why Debo left and Ayuik walked away.
I just hope Mike avoids that and gets what he’s after!
March 10th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
He left for a BETTER QB! Just own up to it!!!
March 10th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
evans had front row seats vs shanahan and julio jones. he knows whats up
March 10th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
Because he was so unselfish, I think we all underestimated his interest in being the focal point of the offense.
March 10th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
John Lynch a mf when it comes to travel arrangements
March 10th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
“Let me show you how its done when they 4get ur worth and the coach sucks”
March 10th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Interesting choice of photo to illustrate….
March 10th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Bout time for it to dawn on the Glazers the fans are as frustrated as M1K3
March 10th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
when bucs played 49 ers bourne had 140 yds receiving from matt jones
March 10th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
Least we should have Guards next year
March 10th, 2026 at 5:43 pm
This teams full of freaking losers and it starts with Jason i sot on my thumbs every free agency licht. Good riddance to u amd Todd. Absolutely disgusted with this team right now. ‘” we know we need pass rush” also us…..dont bring in any big time pass rushers bc youre a freaking coward
March 10th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Come on Joe! Make this the second podcast in 6 months that gets listened to 115% of the show! I want to rewind the same section 5-6 times like I did when edge rusher argument went to the next level and someone was saying they lost credibility with fans of the podcast because of what they said!!! Need a 1 of 1 podcast this week!!!
March 10th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Joe was on this one solid early on.
Good work. Joe yiu Did what he could and we needed to know
March 10th, 2026 at 5:51 pm
We’ll miss Evans, my favorite Offensive Buc (sorry Brady), but I think it was time to give a chance to Emeka to shine. Time will tell if it was the right move
March 10th, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Let it go who cares its a business
March 10th, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Spotrac showing Mike signed a 3yr/$42M deal with only $16.3M guaranteed…
I think that shows that the market for a 33yr old WR is not $20M aav and likely means that the Bucs were not really willing to throw = money or yrs at him.
IMO, it’s actually a smart move by the Bucs FO…It’s time to go get the next X WR in the draft or via trade.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:06 pm
The bucs are tanking this year!!
March 10th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
I’ve thought about this most of the day.
I hope Mike sat down with someone from the ownership group and told them why he was leaving. One of the statements that came out said something along the lines as negotiations continued it became clear that Mike wanted to go elsewhere.
I really hope that he gave them his reasoning for leaving Tampa and didn’t just sugar coat a responce.
Mike being honest about his opinion of the situation at OBP might help the Glazers make moves to right the ship next year.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Out with the old, in with the new. Such is the way in the nfl. Mike Evans did this franchise right. It’s simply time to move on. Thanks so much big Mike. You did tampa stellar.
On the bright side we lost our leading lady lawn chair! J. Dean. No more, where did Dean go? yes!
If the Bucs get that coveted pass rusher and it’s o-line can and wide outs can stay healthy, I like this team this year! Go Bucs. Go mayfield. All is not lost.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:12 pm
What worries me going forward is that if you really think about it, the receivers room is full of question marks. Godwin is a proven vet and while he showed some flashes of his old self, there is still some concern whether he will be all the way back this season. Egbuka definitely did enough to prove he is at minimum a good receiver. Whether he will be upper echelon remains to be seen. As for McMillan, he has shown promise, but his ceiling is also an unknown as is his durability.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:23 pm
3rd and 28 says it all. Bowles is a lousy outdated coach and has lost the heart of this team when Evans left.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
I read some post saying 3/60, 45 guaranteed
March 10th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Regardless of the moves Jason makes, does anyone expect better than an 8-9 or 9-8 season at best ?
Does it appear likely that Baker will sign or even be offered an extension ?
What is the likelihood that Bowles finishes his contract ?
If he does then what ?
What would the owners do after another mediocre season without Baker and the fans still screaming “fire Bowles” and another mid first round draft pick in ’27 ?
Are the owners going to try to sell a good “O” line and receiving corps but no QB to a new coach ?
Is Robinson the best option for the future ?
If M1K3 wanted out so much, what reasonable expectations for motivated play by the defense OR the offense should the fans have ?
It smells like another lost decade is coming.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
Mike was the third choice and they haven’t drafted yet. Man, he wanted out of here bad. How could the Bucs not have known. They were even paying more than SF. Huge indictment of Bowles and Licht. Mike might not have signed the Franchise tag even for 27 mil.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:28 pm
We dont have a single CB who shares anybody.
And in case JL didnt notice we have no Edge that can take over a game.
Both were and are still possible, but not both thru the draft
Sign Hendrickson and we have hope
March 10th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Who cares. Left 49’ers have him. He’s beyond done. Like the Raiders signing Jerry Rice.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Bucs moves scream tanking or ineptitude. Nothing to do with Mike, its the entire picture. Its bleak
March 10th, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Probably true….old and often hurt…plus pretty immature. More hassle than he is worth.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:36 pm
3rd and 28
March 10th, 2026 at 6:39 pm
@knothead,
Surely you know those people are too egotistical to accept that they are the problem. Licht was telling us Todd is the best man for the job a week ago. Todd telling us he deserves the job for his division titles. Poor Mike would be wasting his time and breath. Better to just say goodbye.
March 10th, 2026 at 6:54 pm
It doesn’t matter. Many other players left this organization. Lynch and Sapp for example. Mike has moved on. None of us really know why and we can keep on with the guessing until Mike says why if he ever does.
Time to get over it and move on too.
Best wishes to him.
March 10th, 2026 at 7:07 pm
The owners lucked into the position of having a solid foundation for the future of this franchise after the SB win 5 years ago and they royally screwed it up. It was a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. The dog had no bite, not even a growl. The dog squatted and piddled on the floor.
Watch out Browns and Jets the Bucs are coming for you.
March 10th, 2026 at 7:10 pm
I wish all these trolls would go with him
March 10th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
Bucd beat 49ers in the playoffs
March 10th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
Good news! Teddy signed with the Lions!
March 10th, 2026 at 7:14 pm
If only the owners had said ” OK TB12 go to Miami and have a good life.”
March 10th, 2026 at 7:15 pm
Time to move on from Mike. It hurts, but he will retire a Buc later. Right now we need to see JL make some noise in FA. If Bowles is your guy, prove it and get him the players he claims he needs to win.
March 10th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
Here is a full rundown of the 2026 draft picks Tampa Bay possesses:
Round 1, Pick, 15, 15th overall
Round 2, Pick 14, 46th overall
Round 3, Pick 13, 77th overall
Round 4, Pick 16, 116th overall
Round 5, Pick 15, 155th overall
Round 6, Pick 14, 195th overall
Round 7, Pick 13, 229th overall
March 10th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
Sounds like something is really rotten in Denmark. And the powers that be at One Buc Place better get it together and figure a way not to enter a new lost decade. Maybe it still hurts too much to be fair seeing Mike leave, but it sucks right now….Let’s go Bucs. Make the fans believe again we can be a good team.
March 10th, 2026 at 7:23 pm
Looking at the cap projections… right now the Bucs only have about $2M in cap space available.
They can redo deals to free up money, but if you don’t really have a lot of faith in Bowles and Baker, do you do that? Or do you just make a min number of moves required to try to clear up the cap for the next coach, so they can make whatever moves they want?
They do have to clear up cap space in any case, so they’ll have to redo someone’s deal, but this certainly isn’t the Brady years where they were all-in on winning. This is more of a keep the course year, let Baker and Bowles prove they can win, or you’re cleaning house.
March 10th, 2026 at 7:24 pm
How about Back up QB Kyler Murray at NFL League minimum of $1.3M. Cards pay the rest of his guaranteed salary for 2026? Bucs won’t be placed in a corner with signing Baker next year.
March 10th, 2026 at 7:28 pm
It doesn’t bother me that Mike left. What bothers me is that it seems he couldn’t leave quickly enough. I wonder how many other players feel that way ? Baker ?
March 10th, 2026 at 7:39 pm
The fact that we haven’t restructured anyone’s contracts tells me we’re done with free agency, as Rod points out. Jason can’t do that stuff unless the Glazers permit him to. The fact they re-signed Otton meant the already knew Evans was gone
March 10th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Now is it sinking in Joe ?
March 10th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
OH NO! WE’RE DOOOOOMED!
Teddy Bridgewater SIGNED with Detroit