The 49ers, Mike Evans And Tampering
March 20th, 2026
No comment on tampering question.
[Caution: For those who want to pretend the Bucs losing a Hall of Fame receiver because he didn’t want to play here any more and took a massive pay cut to get away from the Bucs and exit has about the same impact on the organization as if the Bucs released J.J. Roberts, please understand Joe has over 63,000 articles in free archives you can choose to read. — Joe]
Now that Joe has that out of the way… shortly after former Bucs star receiver Mike Evans bolted to San Francisco, former Bucs running back Shady McCoy appeared on the podcast he co-hosts, “Speakeasy,” and said he was at Evans’ home the Saturday before the gun sounded, opening legal tampering.
Joe typed at the time it was very fishy that Evans told Shady he was likely heading to San Francisco. Who makes a mega-decision involving many millions of dollars like that without first talking to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan or 49ers general manager John Lynch?
Earlier this week, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht had a sitdown with select local media to discuss Evans’ departure. Licht was asked about Shady’s comments and if he thought there was illegal tampering.
“No, players talk to each other,” Licht said assuredly.
Then Licht was pressed. Did he think the 49ers were up to no good and may have illegally tampered with Evans? Here is Licht’s verbatim response:
“Ah, nah, I have no comment on that.”
Hhhmmm?
Joe knows agents talk to general managers, coaches and assistant general managers at the combine each winter about their clients. The foundations of future transactions are often done in the quiet corners of the Indiana Convention Center, or over bourbon and ribeyes at St. Elmo or while wolfing down a shaved prime rib sandwich at Harry and Izzy’s.
Hell, Joe was told the genesis of the Bucs trading a third-round pick to the Giants for Jason Pierre-Paul was hatched at the combine in 2018. That began the turnaround from the Lost Decade into Super Bowl champs.
But it seemed fishy to Joe last week and it still seems fishy knowing Evans basically had already made a decision where to go days before legal tampering began.
So, LeSean McCoy was hanging out with Mike Evans at Mike’s house on Saturday and he mentioned to LeSean that “there is a great possibility I’m going to the 49ers.”#WeAreTheKrewepic.twitter.com/fck4YqAhdG
— Christopher Mathis 🎙 (@thechrismathis) March 10, 2026
March 20th, 2026 at 7:12 am
Good for Evans. He will finish his career playing for an offenseive minded coach. Instead of a wooden Indian.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:36 am
I’ve always said the Glazers the front office & the coaching staff is the problem with this team. The closest thing they had to keeping them consistent was Dungy & they let him go.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:37 am
JOES, another day when you’re too chicken to say WHY YOU think MIKE left and what was the ROOT CAUSE of the Bucs meteoric fall last season. So much for your boasted “EDGY ANALYSIS.” You just beat around the bush because you guys are afraid. Another day where you make things up. Just read what’s here and listen to the podcasts. The archives are free. –Joe
Y
March 20th, 2026 at 7:38 am
This is water under the bridge, even if tampering was proven, how could the Bucs benefit? San Fran and Lynch could have to pay some coin and might lose a day 3 draft pick but again, how does it benefit the Bucs besides the fact that it shows that Evans truly had a destination in mind way before the dinner bell rang and all this chatter of going to Buffalo as Josh Allen’s #1 target or letting Tampa match any deal was all an elaborate smokescreen?
March 20th, 2026 at 7:42 am
Hugh G: no one at OBP is ever going to say that Mike left because of Todd Bowles. perhaps someday Mike will write a tell all book but this will always be another one of those things where the fans never really learned the truth like why Bruce Arians suddenly “chose” to retire in the spring and if TB12 had anything to do with it…. Heck maybe TB12 was miffed that Bruce did not fire Todd for calling that idiotic zero blitz that made Cooper Cupp a hero and cost Brady a second Lombardi in Tampa, just another unsolved mystery.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:49 am
The Bucs meteoric fall was due to losing both starting guards paralyzing the offense.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:52 am
Mike Evans left the Bucs for his own reasons
And that’s his business
I’m sure this isn’t the end of the world
Nor will the sky be falling, it’s just another day
Players are preparing for the upcoming season
Coaches and front office personnel are fighting for their job
No one at OBP cares why Mike Evans left
And no one really misses him
He’s just another jersey.
They come and they go
March 20th, 2026 at 7:52 am
to me there are 2 kinds of NFL owners……There are the owners that bought the team just to turn a profit and couldn’t care less about the sport and then there are owners that bought a team to turn a profit but also true fans of the NFL and will not let anything get in their way of giving their team everything they need to succeed. Pretty easy to see where the Glazers kids fit into this. I do truly think though the Malcolm was a true NFL fan, but unfortunately he didn’t pass it on to his idiot kids.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Why would McCoy say that publicly? ME13 probably talked to Kittle and made the decision. Like Licht said, players talk to each other. As for why he left?? He left to be with a team he felt was better. The exact reason doesn’t matter…3rd and 28, poor play calling, etc. It all comes down to no faith in the Bucs. Or he would stay.
March 20th, 2026 at 7:58 am
Unfortunately, this makes no sense on the grounds that he took way less money. Most likely he just wanted to be part of the culture and the scheme, talking with other players like George Kittle.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:01 am
Listening to Kittle discuss his conversation with Mike helps dispute this tampering conspiracy stuff. Besides the massive difference in HC competency, completely different ownership mindsets likely were a huge factor as well, among other things. Reason SF players gave theirs an A, instead of the D that was received in Tampa.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:04 am
Time to move on…
March 20th, 2026 at 8:06 am
At this juncture what difference does it make?
I believe there was a mutual split. ME13 wanted off this sinking ship and the Bucs wanted to move on as well.
Why didn’t the Bucs use the franchise tag on Evans then work out a two year deal if they wanted him to stay so bad?
Probably because our GM was fine with him leaving…
March 20th, 2026 at 8:12 am
Another Mike Evans post. Take a shot.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:15 am
Never seen Joe have to justify so many posts before. It’s their site, and I love it, but let it go. Brady left the Pats, Montana left the Niners, it’s part of the game.
One Joe likes to justify. One would never do such a thing. Joe writes what Joe finds interesting. Simple as that. –Joe
March 20th, 2026 at 8:16 am
So what?
March 20th, 2026 at 8:18 am
Licht won’t say anything because he does it also
March 20th, 2026 at 8:19 am
Dont know. Dont care anymore. Nothing will change. Good luck Mike. Bucs life goes on. We’ll win the division
March 20th, 2026 at 8:23 am
lol that’s a can of worms Licht wants to stay closed.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:25 am
The look on Evans face after 3rd and 28 said everything and was enough to signal he was done with this team and Bowles. He will never admit it, but I bet he thinks Bowles is a total fool just like us fans. The sad part is that Licht is not doing enough to make the defense better, just replacing players. The secondary will be a mess next year. Evans simply did not want to participate in this stupidity another year.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Im shocked shocked i tell you im shocked
March 20th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Losing Mike Evans was no different than losing Ryan Miller ,Sterling Shepard
We lost a WR when we lost him, and that’s it, nothing more
We have other receivers that can’t wait to get his targets
We’re not missing nothing
Actually we’re in a better place with his absent
March 20th, 2026 at 8:41 am
Just like the owner of the Jags pulled the rug out from under Licht stealing Coen, the 49ers could do the same. But they didn’t have to. Mike wanted out of TB for many reasons, tampering, pampering, doesn’t matter, he wanted out. He’s gone, let’s move on.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Apathy
March 20th, 2026 at 8:43 am
@Buc4ever, exactly!
March 20th, 2026 at 8:48 am
SC Bucs Fan, Joes are pouting like the rest of us, but not “edgy analyzing.” I’m beginning to think they just want the click bait.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:51 am
I don’t want anyone on the team that doesn’t want to be here.
March 20th, 2026 at 8:52 am
Evans is a pos and is dead to me I actually threw away his jersey
March 20th, 2026 at 8:58 am
Who is this Mike Evans you speak of? Have you ever heard of Chris Godwin? Emeka Egbuka or Jalen McMillan? Tez Johnson anyone?
March 20th, 2026 at 8:59 am
Draft more Buckeyes.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Let the man finish his career out like he wants. The writing is on the wall in Tampa and its obvious. And why are they sitting there with gaping holes everywhere still? Why is Godwin on the books for a league high $34 mil? Baker at $54. They aren’t even trying to restructure contracts to open up money to fill needs.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:02 am
Please don’t write about Joe’s business here, especially when it’s a gross misrepresentation. Joe writes about what Joe finds interesting as a fan. There’s plenty that Joe doesn’t write about that readers would be eager to read. It’s that simple. And every post gets the same presentation. –Joe I personally think Jason is glad that Mike did the hard part for him. His departure is a reason why we are able to make some of the free agent signings we’ve made which have improved the team. Obviously this team is better with a healthy, productive Evans on it. But how much health and productivity are we going to get at this point? And for what, 20 million? So yeah, I believe Jason is glad that Mike made the decision. And one of the fun parts of this coming season is seeing how it all works out on both sides.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Simply to prove a point, I fully expect a heavy dose of butthurt articles all offseason, in season and into next season from the Joes. I will say, I’ll be paying attention to ME & SF this year. They’re my new team to root against. Oh how sweet it would be to face the Niners in the playoffs and send them packing.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:05 am
As the Bucs Turn. The NFL Soap Opera continues.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:06 am
They will blame the failed season on Evans.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:06 am
I can’t wait for draft coverage to really pick up. I loved the fact that Mike was a Buccaneer. I will be a proud Bucs fan to see him in the HOF.
But holy crap I’m over it. He’s gone. What level of grief are we in that we keep this up? Browns fans still cry about Baker. Do we want to be Browns fans?
March 20th, 2026 at 9:09 am
@Hugh,
Why do you keep pushing this agenda? It makes no sense. The Joes have reported what Mike said at his presser, reported JL’s take, voiced their opinions on the matter (community impact, team impact, 3-28, the initiation of and exodus, Mike’s desire to play for a SB contender, etc) on both JBF and their podcast. What more do u want? Do you want them to make up quotes and spoon feed you fake news to satisfy what you have grown to accept as normal journalism? Dude, fire up that brain of yours and try to connect some dots. Momma ain’t here to tie your shoes for you, so get walking with your fantasy agenda.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:10 am
Joe you know truths hurt the most, sometimes, but at this point nothing matters. Ok you want to go I can respect that, but if half of what’s flying around is true, Mike took a big dump on himself making a dirty move like this. I myself says, Good Bye. And even if everything came out and they got in trouble, Bye Mike. If you do dirt, dirt comes back to you, and one more thing I want Mike to look in the mirror.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Do you really think that Evans was a big fan of Baker and really believed in him as a QB, but left anyway? Lol. This is the pink elephant in the room the media is refusing to acknowledge. He left to be a part of an offense with a dynamic OC and above average QB that can actually go deep into the playoffs.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:19 am
He left because he was the third best WR on our team. He found a competive team where he could still be WR1. Wish him the best of luck but his 300 yards and coming off the field after every catch is already replaced by Mcmillian being healthy.
One Joe wants click bait and for you to think the team is doomed it’s not hard to replace this version of Evans.
In all honesty paying him what we offered would have been a bad football decision.
Let it go Joe your losing a big section of the fan base with this obsession that Evans leaving is anything except an old player who got pushed aside by a younger better player in Emeka.
This site means a lot to the fans it’s always brought us together let’s get back to covering the Bucs!
Also fans remember one Joe doesn’t speak for all 3.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:32 am
I don’t mind that he’s gone. I didn’t want to see it, but it’s a significant amount of money for a guy that’s going to miss 25% the season at least. At 6’5 230 those hamstrings aren’t getting healthier over time. Now when he’s on the field, we are going to miss him. Without question.
I like the continued posts about this. It keeps a reminder out there of why Mike left. We know ppl in the FO read this blog so please keep them coming.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:43 am
Everyone is missing the most important fact here. The biggest takeaway is, don’t share any secrets with LeSean McCoy.
March 20th, 2026 at 9:47 am
What? Did Mike Evans leave? I haven’t heard about this