Fresh Mike Evans Vibes At Bucs Headquarters
April 28th, 2026
Too soon?
Well, Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht seems to think so, but he almost couldn’t help himself.
Joe’s referring to Bucs officials talking about replacing Mike Evans.
Emotions might still be a tiny bit raw when it comes to talk of replacing the legendary Bucs receiver who couldn’t wait to move on to San Francisco — where he accepted a lot less money, a lot more taxes, and a quarterback that doesn’t throw a great deep ball on a team that won six games two seasons ago.
Licht hopped on 95.7 FM WDAE this afternoon and was asked about third-round pick receiver Ted Hurst, who the Bucs nabbed on Friday night out of Georgia State.
Licht is pumped and wanted to send a message that Hurst gives off Evans vibes without actually saying it.
“He’s fast. He’s got incredible ball skills. He’s incredibly athletic,” Licht said of Hurst. “He had a lot of opportunities in the [college transfer] portal with NIL to move on to bigger schools. He chose to stay at Georgia State, which I think is a pretty cool feather in his cap, to finish it off with his teammates there.
“You know, I don’t like making pro comparisons sometimes because I don’t want to put the pressure on him and all of a sudden anoint him a Pro Bowler right away, either. But, you know, you can kind of connect the dots. We got a 6-foot-4, super fast, incredible-ball-skill guy down the field. There’s been some great players that have those assets.”
Yes, Joe’s jumping on a limb noting Licht was referring to Evans. #sarcasm
The GM went on to say he thinks the Bucs have “four” quality receivers, so Hurst shouldn’t be under pressure right away. He added that Baker Mayfield is “excited.”
April 28th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Can’t wait to see Baker overthrow him by ten yards or throw an INT in a game changing moment.
That’ll be exciting!
April 28th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
We don’t want him to replace the legendary Mike Evans
But, we want him to give us better production than the 2025 version
And that’s not asking for a whole lot
April 28th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
Hurst looks like a player I don’t go off the competition the eye test never lies
April 28th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Baker and Evans managed to connect on 24 TDs in just a couple years, despite Mayfield’s terrible passing abilities. I will take that.
April 28th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Larrd Says:
April 28th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Baker and Evans managed to connect on 24 TDs in just a couple years, despite Mayfield’s terrible passing abilities. I will take that.
What did they accomplish in that time frame??
Oh yeah, one playoff win and two losses, then missed the playoffs all together.
With Bowles that’s as good as a SB title. #Winning
April 28th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Obviously want a great year for the Bucs. I cant get excited about this team. Saw alot of bad football last year. I expect a Mike Smith caliber stinker of a season.
April 28th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Can we get some fresh coach vibes?
April 28th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
I’ve never seen so many fans familiar with the bottom half of a full glass. Jesus. It’s the off-season. We just had a promising draft. And yet all they seem to do is complain. I wonder if it’s like that for the fan base of the other 30 teams that didn’t win the super bowl this past season. I wasn’t happy with the end of last year obviously. But I’m trying to find some positives in what has been a pretty decent off-season with the exception of losing two Hall of Fame players.
April 28th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
We we need a quaterback baker carr aint no franchise qb he sucks big time
April 28th, 2026 at 6:01 pm
No Tez, huh?
April 28th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
Steven007, I agree with you
These guys are so miserable that they can’t wait for a new article so they can complain. Even their wives are probably miserable because of how they are. Negative energy all the time. I wonder what lynchmob50 life looks like. Get off my lawn and my trailer park is better than yours kind of guy!
April 28th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
So many unhappy Buc trolls on here. Will change their screen names once we go back to the playoffs and return unless we win it all. Feel sorry for them; sports is supposed to bring joy to our lives but they are stuck being unhappy. Must be tough to live that way.
Know nothing about this guy but look forward to seeing what he has.
April 28th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
The Baker hate above … ya’ll people are dumb, go away
April 28th, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Says #99 the Big Fella Says:
April 28th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
Steven007, I agree with you
These guys are so miserable that they can’t wait for a new article so they can complain. Even their wives are probably miserable because of how they are. Negative energy all the time. I wonder what lynchmob50 life looks like. Get off my lawn and my trailer park is better than yours kind of guy
All that with and a small Richard. Describes him and a few others perfectly
April 28th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
ME chose to leave this team. This is a good pick with loads of potential. Hope he and the other new young Bucs do well. Be happy Bucs fans-we had a good draft!
April 28th, 2026 at 6:22 pm
This site has turned into. Joe Bitch Fan
Tune it down guys….its really tiresome.
April 28th, 2026 at 6:24 pm
I must say I didn’t have him on my radar at all and I was initially disappointed with the pick. I saw it as a reach for a Mike Evens wannabe. I wasn’t alone. But I was impressed with his highlight tapes. He’s not a true burner, but he is certainly pretty darn fast. Highlights are highlights, but he had a lot of them for a guy with a nobody for a QB. And now a good many pundits who actually know college ball are singing this unknowns praises as if they think we got a sneaky good steal. He isn’t really a Mike Evans clone. Mike Evans is a pure physical freak. But Mike had a much, much better college QB throwing to him. I’m not going to fit him with a gold jacket or reserve a spot for him in the Ring of Honor just yet, but I think this guy is going to be a very nice surprise. Best of all this kid will be just 22 to begin camp and he has been notably injury free in college. Lord knows Evans and Godwin were always hurt. Maybe this guy will actually be available more often.
April 28th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Will keeping repeating it that ME didn’t seem that happy last year when EE and Tez scored TD’s. Obvious that he wanted to see the ball more. The young guys represented competition for the ball. Wasn’t anyone’s fault that injuries limited ME playing time. Better for all to move on. Hope he finds what he wants in SF.
April 28th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Look, the Bozo fans are out in force. You ladies seem to enjoy complaining quite a bit about fellow fans. Or are you a bunch of Aint’s fans just trolling away in hopes that your hero Bozo Mc Clown is here forever so that your pathetic team has a chance…? You three ladies have a lot of nerve but No friends… YOU COMPLAIN ON THE DAILY ABOUT BUCCANEER FANS, CLOWNS!
Why don’t yall head on back to your Stinking Cesspool!
April 28th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Hope Hurst balls out this season and the Evans stories finally die. Evans is gone and i prefer not to think of him and his continual hamstring injuries.
April 28th, 2026 at 6:48 pm
Big difference between mid third round pick and #7 in round 1. Even if he turns out as good as our other two third round WRs, Godwin & JMac, I’ll be very happy.
April 28th, 2026 at 6:49 pm
Rock on Bakerfan! ,its the thc drinks at circle k!
April 28th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
Be fun to watch the Bucs go back to camp. Different team I guess. Go Bucs.
April 28th, 2026 at 6:56 pm
If you hate Bowles and you hate Baler your life is full of hate and you are getting nothing positive out of being a Buccaneers fan. Maybe it’s time to move on to another hobby that you are a little more positive about? Just a thought…
Go Bucs! What a fabulous draft as far as production and potential!
April 28th, 2026 at 6:59 pm
The kid definitely has a couple years to develop because Godwin, Egbuka, McMillan, Tez are the top 4 and they have a couple other young guys plus I wouldn’t be surprised if Shepherd is back.
It sure is cool to see a guy running that fast at 6’3 being taken by the Bucs though
Wish him well!
April 28th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Ted is more of a Randy Moss build and speed than Evans. Evans is size and power.
Hurst was a bit faster with similar vertical. Mike has had some awful drops before, Godwin had the better hands. We shall see how Ted is in that area. Film looks solid but highlights never show drops.
April 28th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
If he makes it through training camp with his hamstrings intact we’re already ahead.
April 28th, 2026 at 7:07 pm
Can you imagine these fans through the McKay years?? Sad
April 28th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
Steve V, hilarious. There’d be a line at the skyway for the constant complainers during the truly ugly years. Clearly no sense of History.
April 28th, 2026 at 7:17 pm
Yeah , no pressure on comparing a GA State WR to a HOF WR.
April 28th, 2026 at 7:34 pm
Way to keep it classy, Bud Licht.
He better hope and pray this kid can play, at all.
April 28th, 2026 at 7:37 pm
Give Hurst #13.
Will the comparison into existence.
Candidly, I think Mile existed the building way prematurely.
And I’m grateful.
It seems he kicked everyone’s ass I to hear.
Now here we are.
Reloaded. Armed for bear. Angry. Up for it.
#LFG!!!
April 28th, 2026 at 7:40 pm
So excited to see the new team! Great draft!
The combination of dogs like Bain, Scott, and Trotter on D!!!
Baker to Hurst!
Its gonna be fun.
A question for the haters…if this team is such trash, what are you doing here? No one is forcing you to follow the Bucs, you can go follow SF or some other team worthy of your attention.
April 28th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
And why not JL nice go to. After all he did leave with dreams of purdy and kittle.
He’s a TX guy never really grew roots in Tampa. We got a good player great young guy from South GA with strong hamstrings; fluid with long arms and amazing ball skills
And our Offense is loaded save our next Gronk
April 28th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
Personally, I would wish good health and happiness to ME. He had a fabled career with the Bucs. He’s in the golden years of his NFL journey and he deserves to be happy.
But more so, I’m also hoping that we bounce back this year — both offensively and defensively — with the success that fresh blood in coaching and players can potentially offer.
Glass is definitely half full right now. Go Bucs!!
April 28th, 2026 at 7:56 pm
What a grrrreat little treat tonight on ACC Network. A fantastic ‘mid-week’ non conference, late season Top-10 College Baseball matchup on a TUESDAY NIGHT, with #9-Ranked Coastal at #2 North Carolina!!!! WOW. How great it is being an American, and living in the good ole USA. You can’t beat that.
April 28th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
HUUUUGE Game for Coastal and their chances for a Top-8 ‘National’ Seed. Would REALLY help their chances of getting back to Omaha. I’ve actually been to their stadium before (and football)… It’s VERY Nice. I’ve always liked the SunBelt Conference. Mostly, because of Western Kentucky! But, most of those schools have nice facilities, and have invested A LOT. Our boy Hurst’s Georgia State bought the old Turner Field in downtown ATL, and refit it for Football. I’ve been there before, too LoL. And, I know their football program founder… Bill Curry. It’s a nice little conference. I think James Madison will eventually end up in The ACC one day, if North Carolina, Virginia, Miami, and others, jump ship.
April 28th, 2026 at 8:11 pm
does he need to come out after every couple of plays or every time he ran more than 30 yards?
April 28th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
Jason forced Mike to leave by not doing his job one. He fired all but the one who needed and deserved it the most.
April 28th, 2026 at 8:33 pm
Obvious,
You have a guilty conscience? Looks like a third grader having a meltdown that he’s not allowed to play with his crayons anymore.
April 28th, 2026 at 8:43 pm
MelvinJunior I work in Conway… we are proud of our Chants.
April 28th, 2026 at 8:45 pm
We still takking Mike Evans????
April 28th, 2026 at 8:48 pm
Certainly the Buccaneers had an excellent draft on the defensive side of ball. With the addition of Anzalone, the LB Corp should improve steadily throughout the season..Hurst will be an addition to the WR room which is already overly talented…
Where the organization should focus is on doing everything it can to get Jake Browning ready for the season..Injuries to Mayfield cannot be the reason for another 7 game slide at the end of the year..Fans do not want to see this for a 3rd year in a row.. The coaching staff should be planning for first team reps every week for Browning..The minute Mayfield goes down, Browning steps in until Mayfield is completely healthy again..
April 28th, 2026 at 8:49 pm
Damn straight! Always will. You think Joe’s just gonna forget that a Hall of Fame receiver played for the Bucs? Joe still types about Warren Sapp and John Lynch. Damn sure not going to ignore Mike Evans.
You don’t think him leaving is not going to affect this team?
April 28th, 2026 at 8:52 pm
LynchMob50 Says:
“What did they accomplish in that time frame??”
Three division titles.
April 28th, 2026 at 8:55 pm
I like the pick of Hurst – but calm down. Hurst is nearly 2 inches shorter and 25 pounds lighter, he’s not Mike Evans, never will be.
April 28th, 2026 at 8:56 pm
Matt Says:
April 28th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
“Obviously want a great year for the Bucs. I cant get excited about this team. Saw alot of bad football last year. I expect a Mike Smith caliber stinker of a season.”
And the fact that it was 3rd string players and an injured QB doesn’t matter?
April 28th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
The better comparison for Hurst if George Pickens, that’s more his ceiling if he becomes a star. If you think that’s an insult, then you don’t know football.
Evans is pretty much by himself in terms of height and weight and style of play – really the only guy really like Evans that I can think of was Vincent Jackson. Evans was much bigger than other modern ‘big’ WRs like Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, and Andre Johnson. Heck Evans is 20lbs heavier and an inch and half taller than Keyshawn Johnson.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:10 pm
The syrup squad is really nauseating. Objective criticism is warranted and must be relentless, so ownership and management know that fans are watching and aware they are shoveling dung on a plate and calling it steak. But these lemmings who have skin the thickness of a tomato are exactly what emboldens ownership to get a bigger shovel.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:17 pm
First read, I thought Joe was reporting that Licht dissed Tez by counting Hurst, McMillen, Godwin and Egbuka as the four quality receivers.
Then, I realized that Licht was counting Tez as one of the four and was saying that there is no rush for Hurst to grab a cape and cowl.
Licht should just get it over with and tell Hurst it is a 1,000 yards per season or bust! Time to start a new streak!
I wish.
It could happen.
Betcha a nickel!
April 28th, 2026 at 9:20 pm
I wish Mike Evans the best…and I cannot wait to beat his team in the playoffs.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:26 pm
When Mike Evans was drafted
He said his comparison was Brandon Marshall
April 28th, 2026 at 9:29 pm
And on the topic of Todd Bowles, I’ve recently decided I’m glad he wasn’t fired for two reasons:
1) I’d like him to have actual talent on his defense for a change…and he finally does.
2) If he blows it, I think we have a very good chance to land Tomlin next year. The man has roots here and has never had a losing season. True, the Steelers weren’t great in the playoffs recently, but that doesn’t mean the Bucs can’t be with him as HC.
April 28th, 2026 at 9:48 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai,
It is interesting that the Rooney Family selected Mike McCarthy to be next Steelers coach. The Rooney’s have had 2 coaches over the last 40 years namely Noll and Tomlin. McCarthy is a winning coach who could have been had if Glazer’s had wanted to part with Todd Bowles. It will be entertaining to see how Bowles integrates the new defensive talent. It will be reasonable to give him a half season to begin to show defensive improvement. If no improvement, Glazers will be sorry they didn’t consider McCarthy. I am betting Steelers will improve materially in 2026.
April 28th, 2026 at 10:18 pm
Rod Munch Says:
April 28th, 2026 at 8:55 pm
I like the pick of Hurst – but calm down. Hurst is nearly 2 inches shorter and 25 pounds lighter, he’s not Mike Evans, never will be.
——————————————————–
Arm length is also -2.5, but faster, same vertical, larger hands and eleven years younger. He should be fully capable in those red zone jump ball scenarios.
“….never will be” is revealed in posterity. He and Emeka could be one heck of a dynamic duo!
April 28th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
exBrowns02 Says:
“….never will be” is revealed in posterity. He and Emeka could be one heck of a dynamic duo!
———
Agreed – just saying he’s not Mike Evans is all, they’re a different style of player. I think he’s got a good chance to be a good player.
April 28th, 2026 at 10:32 pm
I loved the hurst pick now they have an x receiver again makes the offense more dynamic.
April 28th, 2026 at 10:35 pm
Love the selection. Hate the tongue in cheek comment.
Maybe Mr hurst can ask Mr brasswell about over-the-top expectations and comments.
April 28th, 2026 at 10:49 pm
If the Bucs want to sure up the TE room, I wonder what Cole Kmet might cost from the Bears. They just drafted Sam Roush, who I wanted for the Bucs, and they already have Colston Loveland. Kmet’s deal this year isn’t too expensive (just under $8M). Not sure what the Bears would want, but if it was just a late round pick, I’d do that deal – and personally then extend Kmet, but you could also just play out this year and see if he’s worth keeping or not since he contract goes up dramatically for 2027.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:00 pm
More important who is the back up qb?
Can bowles coach a whole team?
Can bowles get a new faces defense on the same page and new staff all selling the same concepts.
Who taking over the leadership roles?
Do we see any players coming free due to other team cuts?
Will we make some trades to fill the holes we still have?
Can rookies play Immediate roles?
Will this offense coordinator keep his players healthy?
Does bucky have the right mindset?
Is Godwin fully healed and himself?
Will barber teach our new cb from Miami Scott tge slot role?
Will bucs ask Jason Taylor to come and coach the whole line?
Will Rice come back and help our de learn swim moves they didn’t know?
Will Sapp help our dline?
Will David and brooks come help trotter son will his father clock in?
Will Winfield Sr come get his son refocused and ready to lead?
Is our cap room big now that we lost 4 expensive players in David Evan Reddick and Dean?
Shouldn’t we have a lot of pocket money?
Will the bucs be stupid and over pay baker to look likeva full and get us fumbled out the playoffs?
Whose are #1 reciever cam anyone demand a double team?
Will the new free agents gel well Will the current defenders.
Will bowles adjust his scheme to his weapons dies he feel he has what he needs and deoth to keep his defense moving all year?
Will Brady work with baker on reading defenses..getting rid of the ball in 3 steps 5 step drops and not tucking n running all fame to get injured?
Will baker learn the screen pass or slant pass?
Will baker not stare down his target and look off a safety or take what the defense gives and drop it to a short pass to rb or te?
Will baker lead his relievers so they can catch it in stride?
Will we learn how to set up the play action.. Will we not play good players in garbage time?
Will we nkt play down to a weak division and dominate?
Will Jason have few moves to get us some help with a 3rd and 4 rd picks that we should get compensated back for losing Dean and Evans next year?
We shall see.. Will we discuss undrafted player that will be Canon fodder?
Can we get in depth insights to the bucs coaches abd how they plan to develop players?
So much to discuss…
But all the film on hunter tells me he’s a dog..measures good and has great habds..so..Godwin teach him routes god father these young dudes abd build a lethal wr room
April 28th, 2026 at 11:29 pm
Let Joe take a stab at some of these.
He was signed in free agency. It was in all the papers.
Wwwwweeeeellllllllll…
Wwwwweeeeellllllllll…
Pppfffttt.
Sure, but do you want them?
That means Jason Licht would have to pull a draft pick out of a vault. Unlikely.
Yes.
That would be a nice trick. Not sure how you blame an OC on injuries unless he runs Bucky Irving 30 times a game.
Wwwwweeeeellllllllll…
Seems to be.
Unlikely.
JOE WISHES!
Very unlikely.
Perhaps.
Brooks, no, but if Trotter wants to talk to him am sure Brooks will be available. Lavonte? Maybe.
Honestly, Joe doesn’t care about “lead.” Joe cares about production.
You can check OverTheCap.com for salary cap fodder.
If the Bucs are motivated, they can find the money.
Wwwwweeeeellllllllll…
TBD.
TBD.
Joe is pretty confident there will be no adjustment(s). 🙁
No. Brady is too busy with his No. 1 overall pick of a rookie, not to mention his many business interests and finding the time to chase Alix Earle.
Personally, Joe believes in the Al Davis method: “We’ll take what we want.”
He does this already.
TBD.
Joe’s not holding his breath.
The draft is over. It was in all the papers.
LOL No, but Joe knows of lesser sites that put a lot of effort and work into covering players who will be driving for Amazon, bartending at Ferg’s or teaching high school history in a few months.
Bucs coaches are supposed to talk later in May.
April 28th, 2026 at 11:45 pm
We should let Licht bask in his after-draft euphoria. He can talk up his picks and enjoy life until reality sets in and these players hit the field. Once Licht signs these guys, Licht can only be a cheerleader.
April 29th, 2026 at 12:20 am
Bunch of prescriptions for imbecillin needed pronto. Anyone who thinks the Glazers don’t care about fan perspectives must not have been around in early 2009 when they fired Gruden .
The current head coach breeds failure. His record and demonstrated performance make that a painfully clear fact. Pour some syrup on the Pom Poms and say yay.
April 29th, 2026 at 7:35 am
How miserable are some of you where your only joy in life seems to be to come on here 50 times a day to complain about either Baker or Bowles or both. Get a different hobby ffs
April 29th, 2026 at 8:22 am
I liked 3.28 better when he was Aqualung.
This version is too repetitive.
April 29th, 2026 at 10:01 am
If you think some of us are repetitive on this site, hold on to your Pom Poms.
You’re going to have a weekly reminder from the Guru that you just gotta get better.
Same words, same monotone delivery, same mindless double speak, same results.
It’s going to be……wait for it…….legendary!!!!
April 29th, 2026 at 10:51 am
3.28 it’s not objective criticism when all you do is complain. There’s a huge difference between the 2. You have ?? takes and it just shows your low level IQ on football.
April 29th, 2026 at 11:30 am
When fans start to focus on the negative they see only the negative and not the positive. The Bucs experienced alot of injuries last year. 2026 is a new season. Last year’s injured players have had time to heal. But the negative vibes keep lingering with some fans still ? the negative.
2026 is a new season. A lot of changes with the Bucs like new coaches, off season player acquisitions, 2026 draft selections and 2025 players improving year over year.
Unfortunately some fans see only the negative. My thoughts are they can’t get past their negativity ? JUST IGNORE THEM. 2026 is a fresh start.
April 29th, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Joe that Q&A was excellent! You should do those more often, a fun read.
April 29th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Let’s guess which one of these “current” non-Bucs fans are our old favorite, BucsAnthem. Maybe either 3.28.Evans or LynchMob50?
April 30th, 2026 at 10:00 am
“”Where the organization should focus is on doing everything it can to get Jake Browning ready for the season..Injuries to Mayfield cannot be the reason for another 7 game slide at the end of the year..Fans do not want to see this for a 3rd year in a row.. The coaching staff should be planning for first team reps every week for Browning..The minute Mayfield goes down, Browning steps in until Mayfield is completely healthy again.””
EXCELLENT observation.