Bruce Arians: Lavonte David Will Be Harder To Replace Than Mike Evans
April 9th, 2026
Take a look at this, Mike, while you try to figure out why $1.5 million only gets you 1,100 square feet of house and no trees in Sunnyvale, California.
Bucco Bruce Arians, the Bucs’ Super Bowl-winning head coach and the senior advisor to Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht, says Mike Evans will be easier to replace than Lavonte David.
Yes, Arians has good eyesight and saw David play last season without his trademark burst and struggle in areas he never had previously.
Joe spent a lot of time around Bucs officials last week in Phoenix and didn’t get a vibe the Bucs are concerned about the on-field loss of David. But Arians seems to think David will be a bigger loss than Evans, the future Hall of Fame receiver.
Arians made that clear during his chat with the Bleav network.
While Arians said Evans will be sorely missed, he said the receivers group is very strong with Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan.
“Lavonte will be the harder one to replace,” Arians said, comparing David to Evans. “But I think Todd is going to do a great job of revamping the defense. We gave up too many leads last year, and we’ve got to do a better job of that.”
An objective observer, Joe supposes, could argue both Evans and David will be easy to replace based on their 2025 production. If that’s accurate, then the Bucs should be in fantastic shape to win 10 games this season.
April 9th, 2026 at 9:58 am
I think Todd is going to do a great job revamping the defense. Well that makes one of us.
April 9th, 2026 at 10:09 am
Its near impossible to replace either as both are HOFers.
But BA is right in noting that the WRs we have are still an excellent group.
ILB on the other hand is perhaps the Bucs’ single biggest positional need with only 1 legit starter on the roster (a 32 year old on a 1 year deal no less).
Trade down in Rd 1 – then select either CJ Allen from Georgia or Rodriguez from Texas Tech – problem solved.
April 9th, 2026 at 10:16 am
They were in fantastic shape to win 10 games last year also.
April 9th, 2026 at 10:19 am
I agree with Bruce 100%
We are already in the process of revamping our defense
And we will continue doing it, the draft will provide us will more defensive weapons
April 9th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Think Evans is at the end of his career and can’t stay on the field. It will be interesting to see how he does in SF with his annual hammy problems? LVD had a messed up knee last year but he played through it. Happy he retired a Buc.
April 9th, 2026 at 10:39 am
Maybe if this was 3+ years ago but Mike is a much better player and harder to replace in 2026 compared to where LVD is at in 2026
April 9th, 2026 at 10:43 am
He seems to be saying Emeka Egbuka is better than Sirvocea Dennis.
April 9th, 2026 at 10:57 am
I’ve had the same thought as BA. Not that replacing either is easy and both will be hard, but I agree with BA here in totality.
April 9th, 2026 at 11:02 am
Bucs next 10th win will come in 2028 if you count 2026 and 2027.
April 9th, 2026 at 11:02 am
Joe Says…
An objective observer, Joe supposes, could argue both Evans and David will be easy to replace based on their 2025 production.
Truer words have never been written on this site.
What I am going to say is going to make Mike Evans fans going crazy… He is not a lock for HOF. Also, in fantasy football Evans was a terrible pick to start him week after week and I am talking the last 3-4 years.
It may come down to Devante Adams or Evans and in my opinion Adams will get the nod, just because Evans played in Tampa. The football “powers to be” have a thing against Tampa.
April 9th, 2026 at 11:20 am
BORING!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
April 9th, 2026 at 11:38 am
I don’t think he means last year’s player, but the role he played over time.