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.
April 9th, 2026 at 12:14 pm
I couldn’t disagree more with Arians. Exact opposite
April 9th, 2026 at 12:24 pm
100%
Evans was a dawg but him moving on tells you all you need to know of him as a current leader of this team post 2020 Super Bowl. His heart just wasn’t in it
April 9th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
Outside of ONE game, Evans wasn’t a big part of the offense this year. Certainly not $22 million worth
April 9th, 2026 at 1:37 pm
“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.” – Bruce Arians
What evidence do have to support such a blindly loyal statement?
Has Bruce not watched any games since 2021?
Bowles has no clue what he’s doing on defense and 2025 was a prime example.
Stay on the golf course Bruce. Your advice has been atrocious.
April 9th, 2026 at 2:29 pm
Because the defense is in worse shape. DUH. Are we still paying this guy? He gave us Bowles.
April 9th, 2026 at 2:47 pm
Plenty more WR to choose from than star ILB. It’s just a scarcity issue. BA is smart. Loyalties somewhat questionable. I hope he’s right about TB.
April 9th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Why is it that every time I hear Sirvocea Dennis name I think of Cirrhosis of the Liver? Or that Bugs Bunny sketch of the knights, Sir O’ciss of Liver & Sir Loin of Beef.
April 9th, 2026 at 3:44 pm
There’s a critical distinction. Both LD and ME were, at their best, really unique and irreplaceable guys. Both showed diminished capacity last year, I’d say especially ME. But clearly both are now ready to be replaced.
April 9th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Well, let’s look at the LB meeting room right now, and the WR meeting room right now.
The middle of the defense got abused to the point of absurdity last year, and that was with David in there. Replaced David with Anzalone, who is +30 years old and is new to this convoluted scheme, and….there’s nobody else worth a damn.
Recievers room is loaded. I also trust the brand new offensive coordinator that hasnt called a single play for this team more than the existing defensive coordinator that also double as the head coach here.
April 9th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
LOL @ thinking Mike would only buy a 1.5 million dollar home…
April 9th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
Lavonte and anazalone would have went crazy…two years 2 late…funny I really think the root for Mike leaving was 1.)emeka egbukas existence and 2.) His 1k yards streak ending
April 9th, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Todd isn’t great at nothing so that comment is trash
April 9th, 2026 at 7:09 pm
Anzalone is 32, but that is still 3 or 4 years younger than LVD. David entered the league in 2012. Anzalone joined in 2017. Compared to last year I would have to guess that a 2026 Anzalone will probably be an upgrade from a 2025 David. As far as receiver goes, Evans had like one good game last year. He might not have gotten 1000 yards last year even without the injury. I think he just saved us a big chunk of cap space.
April 9th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
Ballwasher
I assume he was named after cognac…
April 9th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
He’s right. I love Mike and will follow his career but LVD was always there for us. He will be missed sorely.
April 9th, 2026 at 8:26 pm
This website is bs
April 9th, 2026 at 9:44 pm
More p op up ads please
April 9th, 2026 at 11:13 pm
Love Mike, but this is absolute correct. They already have a loaded receiver room.
Godwin, Egbuka, McMillan, Tez
They have average at best ILBs
April 10th, 2026 at 5:25 am
The best replacement for LD and an upgrade, is Sonny Styles. Move up and get him.
April 10th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Go away BA
April 11th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Watching this bucs and Patriots game it’s clear that Baker just can’t see over the line. Baker Mayfield is clearly not a franchise quarterback. He’s a bridge quarterback especially after watching this game. Defense stayed on the field most of the game when is Baker Mayfield going to put the offense on his back and lead this team to a victory especially in playoffs and must win games? No more excuses he has to step up this year and the injury excuse ain’t going to cut it this year.