Was Losing Mike Evans A Wakeup Call To The Bucs?
March 31st, 2026
“Todd, did you know Mike Evans read so many books he wanted to start a new chapter? I always thought he was a video games guy.”
Joe can fully understand why Bucs fans are upset.
Look, most were suspicious about Todd Bowles when he was named Bucco Bruce Arians’s successor. Unfortunately, specifically last season, Bowles has done little to soothe those suspicions. If anything, he has inflamed them.
So there was no coaching change, which angered if not drove some Bucs fans away until they witness someone inspire change at One Buc Palace.
Then, the Bucs lose their Hall of Fame receiver and best cornerback in free agency, and a Hall of Fame linebacker retirde. Those massive holes were replaced with… a good inside linebacker, another veteran linebacker known for tackles and a backup Bucky Irving clone.
It’s hard for “this Joe” to look at the roster and not believe the team took two steps back in free agency following an 8-9 record, missing the playoffs after starting 6-2.
Not good.
The Mike Evans saga is covered in mystery and intrigue. Given Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht’s words, Evans didn’t leave due to targets.
Some 14 months ago, Evans professed his love of the Bucs, Bucs fans and Tampa. He openly spoke about his career goal of being a one-helmet guy. Then, even to the surprise of the Bucs themselves, Evans up and left. He turned down millions more per year to go to San Francisco.
There, he said, he felt he had a better shot at a ring — that he was the 49ers’ final piece to the puzzle.
What happened? Everything the Bucs have said since simply doesn’t fully add up.
Joe gave up trying to apply logic to an emotional decision but Joe sure smells that something or someone soured Evans (or his family) on the Bucs.
At the NFL owners meetings in Arizona on Monday, senior AP NFL writer Rob Maaddi, who is based in central Florida, asked Licht point blank if Evans leaving was a shock to the organization and if it is a wakeup call that the team must do better on and off the field to ensure other stars don’t take a paycut in order to escape Tampa Bay.
Rob Maaddi: My question: When you guys make a better offer, right? And it’s clear that [Mike Evans] thinks he’s going to a better situation, a better environment … how does that translate within the organization? Do you feel like, “Hey, we we’ve got to do a better job. We’re further away than we like.” Is there repercussions?
Jason Licht: I will say that I don’t want to get too deep with the conversations that we had. I don’t necessarily think that it’s because he thought it was a better situation [in San Francisco]. OK, so, you know, he made a decision to begin a new chapter, but I don’t know if it was because he thought it was a better situation.
Now Joe asked Licht a couple of weeks ago what Licht thought about Jamel Dean and Evans both saying they had a better chance to win a ring in their new homes. Joe thought that situation may have really got someone at One Buc Palace peeved. At least it should have.
Licht waved off Joe’s question, saying all new players say that at their new team’s introductory press conferences.
Well, that was Licht’s public response. Behind closed doors, Joe’s willing to bet Licht winged a Joe Tryon-Shoyinka bobblehead doll across his office.
Licht may be playing the good soldier. You know, keeping the high road — a lot of things Licht says, while they may sound outrageous (Chris Braswell will “shock” people), Licht’s not saying that to placate the public — are said to give players or coaches a very public morale boost and support and damn the public reaction.
Joe doesn’t know too many people willing to take a multimillion-dollar hit to the checkbook just to start a “new chapter.” You really think Evans’ agent advised him to take a massive pay cut? Agents get paid a percentage of the contract.
Maybe by the end of the decade, when enough people are no longer frightened by the repercussions, someone or some people will finally spill the beans on what or who chased Evans out of Tampa Bay.
March 31st, 2026 at 3:51 am
E N O U G H already about Mike Evans. FOR GOD SAKES MAN turn the page already. Seriously!!!!!!!!
March 31st, 2026 at 4:13 am
u all cry over mike evans related articles like its gonna change anything he played for buccanneers 12 years.u take time to whine like crybabys over it,then just use common sense.simply stop reading go about your like good grief.
March 31st, 2026 at 5:14 am
Bucs fan in phoenix agree so much. He left, it’s over. Move on
March 31st, 2026 at 5:19 am
Legends Leave – time to move on. Opportunity to get younger and faster
March 31st, 2026 at 5:29 am
Him shouting 3rd and 28 is all u need 2 kno.
March 31st, 2026 at 5:38 am
Both Bowles and Licht are showing how out of touch they are with the fan base ! They really have snow balled the Glazers or are an extension of what the Glazers really are . All these ridiculous explanations for last years debacle and this sorry off season are revolting .
March 31st, 2026 at 5:38 am
Let me put it to you Joe in a way you’ll understand. Imagine you’re with the same ball, and chain for the last 12 years, and you have an opportunity to leave old, and stale for a new exciting hottie. Another girl caught Mike’s eye Joe, stop sounding like the old broad he left behind. Evans wanted some strange, haven’t we all wanted some, at some point in our relationships?
March 31st, 2026 at 6:01 am
It was as obviously munches terrible takes that did it.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:10 am
“I don’t necessarily think it was because he thought he was going to a better situation.” – lol.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:21 am
Glazers need to fix the organization. They are graded at the bottom year after year by their own players. That’s a problem.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:31 am
Was Losing Mike Evans A Wake up Call To The Bucs?
Joe can fully understand why Bucs fans are upset
Well…. I am more upset that
1.) The Glazers fear the Beard and Fear of Locusts…… Locusts would hit One Buccaneer Palace if they do anything to Todd Bowles other than retain him
2.) Why in Heavens name is Bowles returning as DC and HC…. I could deal with him being HC, but DC…. this is insulting!!
The fact that Mike Evans went to the 49ers is not a big deal to me
The Buccaneer Defense is atrcoius and Todd Bowles is responsible and the Glazers enable him because they Fear the Beard!
March 31st, 2026 at 6:33 am
“” he made a decision to begin a new chapter, but I don’t know if it was because he thought it was a better situation.””
And there’s another ridiculous take from the king of gaslighters. He must think we’re all blind, deaf and dumb. This organization needs to clean house.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:36 am
The wake up call should have been years ago when the Rams beat the defense deep all day long in the playoff game.
Fire the coach.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:43 am
“Jason Licht: I will say that I don’t want to get too deep with the conversations that we had. I don’t necessarily think that it’s because he thought it was a better situation [in San Francisco]. OK, so, you know, he made a decision to begin a new chapter, but I don’t know if it was because he thought it was a better situation.”
That’s just a flat out lie.
Liars lie.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:47 am
He got burned out and just wanted a change along with it is a crowed WR Room. ME has not been dominate for awhile he has a few dominate games and draws some flags but inside the the 20s not so much.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:58 am
Maybe Mike just loves the smell of urine and feces in the morning.
Occam’s Razor.
March 31st, 2026 at 6:58 am
He didn’t think they could win with Bowles He probably told them, it was Bowles or him.
March 31st, 2026 at 7:02 am
No Hodad,
Not everyone wants some “strange” when they are with the woman they love. You sound like a great guy though and are going to make some woman very happy one day.
March 31st, 2026 at 7:02 am
Mike wants to win. Bowles’ has a bad D, Bowles lost the team at the end of the year, Licht said he will build through the draft and ignore free agency impact players.
March 31st, 2026 at 7:04 am
Wait, Jill Tryon Sissinka has a bobble head?
March 31st, 2026 at 7:06 am
I think he thought he would get more targets in that offense, that’s all. And that’s because the Bucs already have a bunch of talented receivers. The 49ers really only have Pearsall and Kittle remaining to compete for targets with. Oh, and McCaffrey of course but those are typically different targets.
March 31st, 2026 at 7:13 am
When did Evans leave? Why haven’t we seen any coverage of this? 😉
March 31st, 2026 at 7:15 am
It should be a wakeup call to the Glazers. Bowles should have been kicked to the curb by the Glazers and the Glazers should have told Licht to be more aggressive in free agency. Mike wants to win now, not wait until ’27 when a new coach comes in.
March 31st, 2026 at 7:18 am
Dude left because he didn’t want to end his career with 5 catches for 37 yards every game
March 31st, 2026 at 7:22 am
Sad But True. It comes from up top. Seems like ownership is scared and can’t make the important decisions and it has a trickle down effect to the GM and head coach. I’m a Buc for life, and I hope I’m wrong, but ME and JD are great players and they know this staff doesn’t have what it takes to be champions.
March 31st, 2026 at 7:39 am
BeeJ is correct. The WR is crowed, there are too many mouths to feed. The Bucs wr is better with Evans but it is still a good WR without.
March 31st, 2026 at 7:43 am
Concur Stepetematt
March 31st, 2026 at 7:55 am
Let’s see, as a soon to be thirty three year old with little time left on the field, do I want to play for a team with a dynamic offensive HC who always has his team in the playoffs and has been to many conference championships over the past 7 years despite having serious injuries in several of those years? Or do I want to play for an excuse-making, defensive, under-.500, living in the late 90s-early ‘00’s‘ coach? Pretty clear.
It’s ok that Evans left. The emotional part stinks, but he’s going by to hang them up soon and he’s guaranteed to miss 4-5 games anyway. But the answer on why he left should get everyone concerned (if you weren’t already) concerned about who’s leading in that building. Or not leading as I see it.
March 31st, 2026 at 8:16 am
Licht, Bowles and Baker is why Mike left. Ineptitude from top to bottom. Evans saw so many balls soar over his head out of bounds or into a DB hands right in front of him far too many times. He got sick of the losing atmosphere, losing players and losing coaches. The organization and many fans are in love mediocrity and scared to try something new so we’re stuck with losers who’ve lost their entire career when the season is on the line.
Its a Bucs life.
March 31st, 2026 at 8:18 am
No it was a god send
March 31st, 2026 at 8:28 am
“Buc Fan in Phoenix Says:
March 31st, 2026 at 3:51 am
E N O U G H already about Mike Evans. FOR GOD SAKES MAN turn the page already. Seriously!!!!!!!”
Or maybe – here’s a novel idea – don’t read articles you’re clearly not interested in? It’s not like the subject matter wasn’t obvious from the title. But you not only read it, but are the first comment.
Personally, I want the heat kept on this organization for the horrible cost that keeping Todd around has cost them.
March 31st, 2026 at 8:29 am
As for reasons – anyone with a set of eyes and is remotely paying attention can see he lost faith in Todd.
3rd
And
28.
March 31st, 2026 at 8:33 am
Buckle up buttercup. Joe has zero intentions of ignoring one of the biggest Bucs stories in years, especially when the given reasons in public are fishy as hell.
If you want to keep your head in the sand, there are literally over 63,000 other stories in Joe’s free archives you can read.
March 31st, 2026 at 8:46 am
Evans wanted no more part of a regime that has zero accountability and only makes excuses and scapegoats. He also knows this team is going NO where so why spend the last year or two with this sh!tshow. I know the grass isn’t always greener but I don’t blame him one bit. This is all on Team Glazer for not cleaning house… I mean #TeamDelusional
March 31st, 2026 at 8:47 am
At some point, the trust was lost.
Given that Bowles goes out of his way to lie to the media (and the public by extension), it doesn’t seem a stretch he’d lie to players too. And I don’t blame anyone wanting to leave that.
Who’s to know if Licht made promises to Evans that he didn’t follow through on too. New contract, staff changes, drafting a guy that wasn’t but really is his replacement.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:08 am
ME afraid of the competition for the ball with Bucs. In San Fran he will be the man. Wish him well, check the boxscores on Mon, and move on.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:10 am
ENOUGH ABOUT EVANS,Joe!
HE’S GONE DUDE,DANG GIVE IT A FREAKING REST!WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT NOW,ANYWAY!SMFH
March 31st, 2026 at 9:17 am
I really don’t know what the mystery is. Evans explained clearly he felt he was the 49’ers “missing piece.” Once upon a time TB12 said he came to Tampa with something to prove for the same reason and for the next few seasons he was and then he wasn’t. Doing that in a bigger media market cements his case for the HOF.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:23 am
Dont care about ME13 anymore. He made his bed now he gets to lie in it. I don’t think it is going to work out the way he wants. If he is targeted a lot in games I guarantee that he will get a serious Hamstring strain. He is at the point where he can’t go all 17 games. As far as I am concerned he is about done in the NFL. Just wish Licht would quit gaslighting the fans.
March 31st, 2026 at 9:52 am
Mrs. Evans. No one questions her role in the move. I bet it was significant .
March 31st, 2026 at 9:59 am
I see your argument but
1. Wasn’t Dean all but guaranteed to be leaving this year, after signing his contract last year? I swear i read that, it was an agreement between him and the team, he takes a pay cut but is leaving after the season
2. David came out and said if Bowels is fired then he will not come back
3. Evans is Evans
So it seems that Bowels being retained did not have as big an effect as you try to make it out to be
March 31st, 2026 at 10:01 am
Aqib Talib Says WR Mike Evans “Is Done With the Whole Building” in Tampa Bay
“That just shows you, you’re just done with that whole building. With the head coach, the GM, the quarterback. He just ain’t feeling that sh*t,” Talib said of Evans on The Arena: Gridiron podcast.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:25 am
Aquib Talib has a way with words. Must be a Democrat?
March 31st, 2026 at 10:34 am
If you don’t like the Evans coverage, tough shlt. Seriously. It’s the biggest story of our offseason. So far. I’m wrong sometimes. Sometimes not. I think I know why Evans and White left. Bakers first year in the league he came in in the third game with a team that had gone 1-15, 0-16, and was 0-2 when he came in the 3rd game, a night game, and the Browns were down 2 touchdowns. He was the first draft pick in 2018. Myles Garrett was the first pick in 2017. Myles Garrett his rookie year went 0-16. Guess he wasn’t the answer. Baker in his rookie year went 7-6-1. He, in 14 games, threw more TD passes than any rookie in the history of the NFL. Within a year or 2 Garrett had gotten a dressing down from Mayfield for stupid play. He pouted. Odell Beckham was a star (in his own mind) and Baker had to let him understand that he wasn’t the center of the universe. Those 2 players had a reputation for being prima donna’s to put it kindly. I’m not saying Mike and Rachaad had become prima donna’s- but I know that each player made truly costly mental errors in late season games and I know Baker had a little chat with the team about that time. Might have singled out those 2-I don’t know. I do know Baker has played with and against the best players in the world since he was 18 years old. In college he was handing the ball to Joe Mixon, and throwing the ball to CeeDee Lamb, and Mark Andrew’s, and Hollywood Brown. Guys that learned you don’t get to be a prima donna without Baker knocking you down for that. Baker’s high school teammates, 5 or six of them, had division one offers and Baker couldn’t get a bite. He still was the leader of the team, and those guys knew it. This post is getting too long, there is more I have to back this theory. But I’m thinking Mike and Rachaad said “Eff you, Baker. You can’t talk to us like that”. They had their feelings hurt. Lead, follow, or get the Heck out of the way boys. They chose to get out of the way. Best of luck to the both of them.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:47 am
After Kevin Stefanski won a playoff game his first year as a head coach you could just see him morphing into a prima donna. Disgusting. He hasn’t won a playoff game since. He wouldn’t bench Mayfield the next year when Mayfield had an injury requiring surgery. The only time in Baker’s career he’d been injured to that extent. The coach had to make that decision. But the coach wasn’t comfortable with his backup and Baker will always tough it out. Changed Baker’s career. Then Stefanski lied to Baker. Stefanski luckily got Joe Flacco a few years later so he could make the playoffs 1 more time in his lousy career. Of course his only playoff win came in his first year. Because Baker was his QB. If Baker stays healthy this year Stefanski is going to realize his worst nightmare. Twice. Because Stefanski is the definition of a prima donna. And a prima donna ain’t gonna last long on a team Baker is leading.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:50 am
Mike Evans never sniff a playoff game before Bruce and Todd
Why didn’t he leave Tampa during the playoffs drought (7 years)
He didn’t leave because they were feeding him the ball
They were making sure he get his 1,000 receiving yards
But as soon as they brought in younger WRs to groom
He caught the 1st thing smoking , getting out of Tampa
He didn’t even get 400 receiving yards in 8 games
The handwriting was on the wall
He knew he had to go somewhere else to chase that Gold Blazer
March 31st, 2026 at 10:53 am
Mike noticed Todd fired everyone else. Mike loved Mr Magoo and his worst special teams in NFL history. He loved the Gizzard’s Deer in the Headlights playcalling. He especially loved Todd’s defense. 3rd and 28 wasn’t Todd’s fault.
It was everyone else’s fault. Mike knows this and that’s why he’s still a Buccaneer.
Oh, wait.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:01 am
“Why did Mike Evans leave Tampa”? – Joe
Answer: T O D D B O W L E S!!!!!!!!!
It’s the same reason the fan base is on fire right now.
The defense is absolutely putrid and we kept the guy responsible for said defense.
Mike saw that and went as far away from the stink of Bowles as he could get.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:03 am
Joe says this: So there was no coaching change, which angered if not drove some Bucs fans away until they witness someone inspire change at One Buc Palace.**********Yup thats me. Bucs get 4 wins 2026
March 31st, 2026 at 11:09 am
i agree with joe, keep digging…
the way these guys talk around the elephant in the room is pretty wild.
lavonte “he didn’t tell me exactly why he was leaving…….he just wanted a different challenge”
different challenge from what the bucs current challenge is?
mike wants to win the bucs dont?
what happened to the mantra from the bucs of what, a year or two ago, “we are just reloading not rebuilding” and “we got younger we’re youngest” yada yada.
did that backfire now it is time to tank for picks and unload the salaries?
March 31st, 2026 at 11:15 am
Evans left because they did not fire Todd Bowles. Same old crap!
March 31st, 2026 at 11:15 am
Ding… ding… ding… ding!
March 31st, 2026 at 11:24 am
If Licht is banking on hope, things might get out of control. I thought we left the past behind and never going back. More winning is our request.
March 31st, 2026 at 11:38 am
“I don’t necessarily think that it’s because he thought it was a better situation”
LMAO.
OF COURSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS A BETTER SITUATION YOU LIAR
March 31st, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Joe, why does your psychiatrist think he left?
March 31st, 2026 at 12:20 pm
The same trolls bit@hing about Mike Evans articles are the same trolls who have posted nonstop for two years about firing Bowles and Licht!
March 31st, 2026 at 12:23 pm
Who cares, we are tired of the Evans conversations.
March 31st, 2026 at 12:34 pm
Joe get help please!!!!
i can picture you now….
sitting in your living room in complete darkness….
next to him is a coffee table and on that table is his middle school yearbook…
in his left hand, he has a pair of brown glasses…
in his right hand, a glass of scotch….
in front of Joe sits his laptop….on his laptop is the facebook page of Beth Scwartz, who circled “NO” on his” Will you be my Girlfriend” note in the 8th grade lol…
LET IT GO JOE!!!!!….
she’s about to be a great grandmother now and Mike Evans is gone!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
March 31st, 2026 at 1:08 pm
I’m glad somebody finally called BS on this argument that Evans left because there’s too many other good receivers on the team. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
March 31st, 2026 at 1:31 pm
It’s a wake up call to #6, nobody believes in Him, as a quality QB!!!
March 31st, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Mike S probably one of those dudes that’s says “dumbest thing he’s ever heard” all the time, thus defeating the meaning and sentiment of comment
That’s the dumbest thing you’ve “EVER” heard, huh? You ain’t paying attention in the world then…. 😂🤦♂️
Learn how to use strong or absolute words better little buddy
March 31st, 2026 at 8:05 pm
As the old ball coach would say, on to 2026.
March 31st, 2026 at 10:55 pm
I don’t think it’s anything more complicated than ME saw the writing on the wall in the receivers room. Emeka is going to be the WR1 this year, with Godwin and JMac #2 and #3 in some order. If Mike had stayed, he may have held Emeka off for a little while, but ME would’ve eventually had his annual hamstring injury and Emeka would’ve taken over for good.
In SF, there’s NOBODY as good as Emeka or even Godwin. I like Ricky Pearsall but he’s really a WR2. Mike has a better chance of staying the man longer.
And, of course, it doesn’t hurt that the head coach out there is simply better than the head coach here.
April 1st, 2026 at 7:24 am
“The same trolls bit@hing about Mike Evans articles are the same trolls who have posted nonstop for two years about firing Bowles and Licht!””
Bowles record at home as Buc HC- 17-15.
Bowles record after bye weeks – 2-7.
Bowles record in prime time games- 5-13
Yeah WE’RE the trolls huh?
April 1st, 2026 at 8:51 am
bill Says:
March 31st, 2026 at 9:59 am
I see your argument but
1. Wasn’t Dean all but guaranteed to be leaving this year, after signing his contract last year? I swear i read that, it was an agreement between him and the team, he takes a pay cut but is leaving after the season
++++++++++++++++++++
Yup. But if it doesn’t fit peoples’ narratives then it gets ignored.