Nothing Jason Licht Could Have Done
March 19th, 2026
Reflection.
When Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht agreed to a sitdown with a handful of local reporters yesterday at One Buc Palace, he was generally in a chipper mood, as he often is.
That mood quickly turned sullen when Licht got down to the subject at hand: Licht had agreed to a sitdown to discuss the departure of the best offensive player the Bucs ever drafted, Licht’s very first draft pick Mike Evans.
Of course, Evans is off to San Francisco, despite how much he professed love for the Bucs and how much he admired (per Licht) the Bucs’ wide receiver corps and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Licht was peppered with all sorts of questions when he was asked, looking back at the drama, could he have done something different to keep Evans (other than slapping him with the franchise tag)?
Licht sounded like Evans had made up his mind and it was over, despite Licht admitting — in his first offer to Evans’ camp — that he made a “significantly” higher bid. Licht’s sales pitch was all for naught.
“No,” Licht said about doing something different to keep Evans in Tampa Bay. “I feel like we did everything we could.
“I had a lot of talks with Mike about that. He and I have a very good relationship. When a player has reached his level for as long as he has, you tend to have deeper discussions with those players.
“There was basically nothing we could have done differently. I feel strongly about that.”
This is just weird to Joe. Maybe because Joe is trying to apply logic to something that is emotional. As the great Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Ira Kaufman is famous for saying, “Who turns down money?”
Mike Evans, apparently. He took a multi-million dollar haircut to play for a lesser team (the Bucs beat the 49ers last year without Evans) in a 13.3 percent income tax state (based on Evans’ salary). He left a team he claimed to love and stated how impressed he was with the wide receiver room.
Logically, this just doesn’t add up for Joe. Something chased Evans away from Tampa Bay and/or lured him to San Francisco.
And no, Joe doesn’t believe Evans made this move just so he could sleep on a bed on a plane eight times this fall.
Joe wonders how that absurd road schedule the 49ers have this year will work with Evans’ old hamstrings?
March 19th, 2026 at 7:09 am
Anyone else sick of talking about Evans, he moved on and we should too
March 19th, 2026 at 7:10 am
As I wrote before, I would not be surprised one bit if Licht warned Evans about the Bucs being in a rebuild mode and not likely to make the playoffs for a year or two. The Bucs’ free agency moves thus far don’t scream “this is the year!!”.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Emotions make bad business partners!
March 19th, 2026 at 7:11 am
Evans left because of the lack of leadership. Licht, Bowles and Baker are why he left. Licht drafting WRs every year as his targets go down. Bowles unable to put a decent defense on the field and lack of in-game/in-season adjustments which lead to losses. And Baker flat out missing Mike on routine throws. In Miami, Baker was overthrowing him and you could see Evans pissed as he walked back to the sideline.
The team is going nowhere so why is it confusing that he left? Everyone being honest knows the Bucs aren’t contenders and haven’t been since Bowles let Kupp run free in the playoffs. The Bucs need fresh, YOUNG energy and a new direction.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:13 am
Venture Capital and Private Equity opportunities in SF Bay area chased Evans from Tampa Bay.
Several former 49ers make a lot more money now than they did as players.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:21 am
WHAT could have chased a man away from a home with a larger paycheck???
Move to a state with a huge tax increase??
Man I just cant figure it out???
Really
Lets SAY THE TRUTH
WHO was Mike very mad at after a must win game?
YEP But like in Harry Potter cant say that name
March 19th, 2026 at 7:34 am
When ME retires and writes a book about his career everyone will find out that ME did NOT believe in Bowles ability to win pure and simple.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Licht has said repeatedly that it was a family decision and Evans hasn’t contradicted him. Maybe the daughter is heading to SF, or Evans got a bit too close to one of the Bucs cheerleaders, or who knows what. People say no to money, or yes to other priorities, all the time.
March 19th, 2026 at 7:52 am
Joe – your site becomes more boring by the day. Stop talking about a guy that’s not part of this team.
Again – boring…..
March 19th, 2026 at 7:58 am
Licht could have done plenty. He could of extended Evans before the 2025 season. He could signes Evans to a 4 to 5 year deal in 2024 and made Evans a Buc for life
March 19th, 2026 at 8:01 am
There goes Joe again alluding to the answer to his own question, but not having the backbone to actually state the reason. Just say it.
March 19th, 2026 at 8:03 am
Another Evans post. Take a shot
March 19th, 2026 at 8:05 am
FRED FLINTSTONE
March 19th, 2026 at 8:06 am
There was nothing we could’ve done? How about firing Bowles, and keeping Coen as HC two years ago?
March 19th, 2026 at 8:08 am
Unless Mike gets another ring or two and we do not it is biggest loose loose events in sports history. Last year may be, was the biggest collapse in sports history. Mike is a once in several life times player. Having him in Tampa was so special. I wish him and us good luck. I hope he returns to retire as a buc. Thank you Mike Evans for every thing you have done on and off the field.
March 19th, 2026 at 8:10 am
3rd and 28
March 19th, 2026 at 8:11 am
“Anyone else sick of talking about Evans, he moved on and we should too”
Well we know who isn’t and he runs the site. Be prepared for 4 more articles on this today, none of which will reveal anything new.
March 19th, 2026 at 8:16 am
Joe , thanks for all the bucs talk everyday . You know & i know what exactly it is. Evans only has a few years left . He was a buc during the bad years & some good ones . When he looks at the chance to play for a defensive coach who’s defense gives up 3rd & 28 to a division rival and can see the skill and heart of the others on the team or he looks at playing for a offensive minded coach that is really good at calling plays & calling plays off of other plays as well as a team that has a lot of heart the choice is easy for what a player like Evans is looking for. It is now up to Jayson & his staff to turn this thing around . Unfortunately Todd Bowles runs the team & that guy is going to get this team to clean house
March 19th, 2026 at 8:24 am
What happened?
I believe I saw a post (possibly on JBF) that stated the Bucs would have the opportunity to match any offer…
If that wasn’t total BS then the Bucs should have had the chance to keep ME13 if they wanted to.
Perhaps the Bucs were the ones that decided to move on from Evans.
All GMs are total liars this time of year and JL is no different. Do you really expect him to say the truth – “ya we got rid of Mike because he is expensive and old” – oh that would go over really well with the Evans sycophants around here.
LOL!
March 19th, 2026 at 8:25 am
Love Mike….but he’s gone ….time to move on….look to the future…..
March 19th, 2026 at 8:26 am
“There was basically nothing we could have done differently. I feel strongly about that.”
There is one thing, Mr. Jason. It’s called winning.
Place blame anywhere you want, but if this team had finished 7-2 in lieu of 2-7, Mike ain’t riding his bicycle over the Golden Gate Bridge and coasting down to Sausalito to catch a ferry around Alcatraz. He’s staying right here.