No Lavonte David Or Mike Evans? Graham Barton Says “New Year, New Team”
April 20th, 2026
Graham Barton (right) lifts Tristan Wirfs into the air.
The Bucs lost a couple of legends last month.
Lavonte David retired and Mike Evans ran off to the 49ers for less money and dreams of Brock Purdy and high taxes.
Bucs center Graham Barton was asked about that today at One Buc Palace. Players reported for medical checks and the start of offseason training this morning.
Barton said David and Evans were incredible teammates but life goes on.
“It’s a new year, right?” Barton began. “It’s a new team and you’ve got to learn to adjust, figure out where your strengths are, figure out where you need to get better and kind of go from there. Obviously, everyone who got to the chance play with [Mike Evans and Lavonte David] and chance to know them is grateful for their time and couldn’t appreciate those guys more. … New year, new team, and we got to figure out how we’re going to put this thing together.”
It is a new year.
David’s retirement was no shock. This was no Ali Marpet situation.
Evans bailing, however, represents a stunning change. With Evans bailing and a new playcaller on board, it very much is a new offense.
Barton today talked about how new offensive coordinator will be introducing “different schemes” and “different principles.”
April 20th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
I agree…time to move on….
I understand the extreme displeasure at Bowles being retained….but the whining is getting very old and nauseatingly repetitive….
April 20th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
I have a Lavonte David jersey
And Mike Evans is a Buc legend
But last year they wasn’t great, they wasn’t good
It won’t be difficult replacing the 2025 version of them
If we get less from their replacements
Then we have a problem
April 20th, 2026 at 3:47 pm
I agree as well. Time to put last year behind us and look forward to a new season with new faces and names.
April 20th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Yep. New team. Go Bucs!!
April 20th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Will be an even newer team by end of day Sat.
Our average team age will go down tremendously… tho a couple DTs and LBs we’ll keep that number from getting real low. LOL
April 20th, 2026 at 4:37 pm
They can never really be replaced. Both are generational players.
That said…I think it will be harder to find replacement for Lavonte David than Mike Evans. We already have some great WRs.
The only sure thing I see is Sonny Styles so far as LB.
April 20th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
I like WR Malachi Fields out of ND to replace Evans. We can get him in the 3rd round.
LVD can be replaced by getting J-Rod in round two. If you have to trade up, do it.
Round one has to be a can’t miss defender. Bain Jr might be a risk, but his production and availability make him the obvious choice if he’s there at 15.
This draft might decide the next ten years of Buc football.
April 20th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
If Styles falls, I don’t see him dropping lower than 10 (Dallas)…so to get him, we’d have to trade up at least 6 spots…unless Dallas is willing to trade…but they’ll ask a very high price knowing Jones.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Like Barton’s mindset.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Hopefully “New Team, New Year” means Barton has hit the weight room and won’t get rag dolled like he did the last 2 years. Seriously, it was embarrassing at times.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
Lots of unknowns with the Bucs in 2026. It seems like a mystery which direction the Bucs are going. Replacing two Hall of Famers would disrupt most teams. We will have an answer soon with the upcoming draft.
It’ll be interesting to watch and more importantly will the Bucs be contenders in 2026. We need a A- draft or better.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
Is Baker still the Qb? Your not going ANYWHERE with him as your Qb. I dont have to even look at a full roster. baker at Qb is garbage.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Even being stuck with Bowzo it will be interesting. Looking forward to the blunders and the new radio man to see how he does. I will not pay a cent to view the coming Blunderball but get a couple games on Fox 51.
April 20th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Time for New Leadership for sure. This is Baker’s Team now especially when that new contract is signed. We finally have a Franchise QB after 50 years!!
April 20th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
Yes Baker is still the QB..so bye bye. Get lost…beat it. If you’re writing the team off knowing Baker is the QB, why are you in here reading articles about the draft?
Peace out
April 20th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
I think Mike moved on more for Lynch and Shanahan than Purdy. If you look the choice between Bowles / Robinson or Shanahan he picked to play for one of the best offensive minds in the NFL
April 20th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Their leadership will be missed. But LVD was a liability in coverage the last 2 years and last year he clearly was a step slow filling the holes.
Evans was one of, if not, my favorite Bucs of all time. But he was hobbled the last 2 years and had to leave to field after every catch. He will always be remembered for what he did for this franchise, but I think it was time for this team and Mike to move on. Wish him well in San Fran, but I doubt he plays more than 14 games and I dont see him playing more than 1 or 2 more years max.
Time for the young guys at WR to step up and time to draft LVD replacement.
April 20th, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Not dreams of brock purdy and high taxes 😂😂😂😂
April 20th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
Bye Baker Bye Bowels, is Correct! We don’t have a chance……. Four wins maybe!
April 20th, 2026 at 6:27 pm
#6 will never be a Franchise qb, are you kidding me, I would rather have Brad Johnson and Tom Brady at Qb on any given day, these are two Qb’s that have won playoff games and Super Bowl’s for this Franchise, what has #6 done for this Franchise, but to disappoint????