“You Gotta Be Kidding Me”
April 22nd, 2026
Whaddya know, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy reacted to the big March free agency news the way most Bucs fans did.
And Joe is not referring to Tampa Bay signing linebacker Alex Anzalone.
Purdy addressed 49ers media as the team reported back to work this week, just like the Bucs did. He was asked about his reaction to learning the 49ers signed Bucs legend Mike Evans.
Purdy set the scene.
He said he was working out in George Kittle’s gym where an Evans jersey hangs on the wall. The Evans news found its way through the room “I was like, you gotta be kidding me,” Purdy said. “Alright, sick. I get to throw to this guy, a big old receiver. … It’s an honor. I can’t wait to go to war with that guy.”
In fact, most questions for Purdy were about the greatest receiver in Bucs history.
Purdy added that he’s been watching clips of Baker Mayfield and Tom Brady throwing to Evans in the red zone, and how well Evans secures leverage and runs routes. He called it a “dream” situation for a quarterback.
Purdy acknowledged throwing to top receivers in the past but they weren’t Evans. “He’s just different,” he said, before praising how well Kittle recruited Evans and had a plan to pursue him.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:28 pm
I always thought one of Evans’s best qualities was his ability to draw DPI calls for long first downs. He excelled at it.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:29 pm
I wish Mike the best
I hope he have 3 solid seasons in San Francisco
I hope he get another ring, an HOF jacket
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:37 pm
Hope Mike pulls a hammy in week 1 and retires after the season.
I loved Evans as a Buc. One of my all time favorites. But I pull for the Bucs and their players, not guys who jump ship.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:39 pm
“I always thought one of Evans’s best qualities was his ability to draw DPI calls for long first downs. He excelled at it.“
The 2nd & Long special under BA was something to see.
Tom had every QB in practice throwing into buckets at varying depths to hone their touch & accuracy.
Mike was the most targeted, but I remember Scooter getting in on that too. It was just more likely would run by his guy rather than the guy running with him.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:42 pm
He has a deal with kittle and LC pizza commercials. This is about post career and making it to hall of fame. Jerry rice also recruited him. He won’t be in a crowded receiver room. I wish him all the best.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Won’t play more than 5 games
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:49 pm
I’d like Davante Adams to pull a hammy week 1 and Evans to go for 1500 and 15 this season.
Overtake Adams in the TD race again.
Always Go Bucs! But always Go Mike! (Unless playing the Bucs) (Unless we need a Bucs loss to rid ourselves of Bowles)
A lot of rules to follow here.
April 22nd, 2026 at 4:57 pm
I hope Mike kills it during the season
Shannahan will be scheming him WIDE OPEN
He will play 10-12 games
Get big time exposure playing on PRIME TIME with a GLORY franchise
Then I hope he gets bounced from the playoffs by the Bucs
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:08 pm
Let it go, man… Get ready for VV going there next year.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:09 pm
“Purdy added that he’s been watching clips of Baker Mayfield and Tom Brady throwing to Evans in the red zone, and how well Evans secures leverage and runs routes. He called it a ‘dream’ situation for a quarterback.”
If he really wants to see what Evans can do, just go watch the game vs the Falcons where Evans was wide open all night, yet still had to make some amazing catches since Baker couldn’t barely get it in the same zip code of Mike.
When Brock watches that game film, he’ll know that he can suck worse than he’s ever sucked in his entire life, and Evans can still get over 100 yards and a TD out of it.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:09 pm
F mike evans and his family f em
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:10 pm
Anyone wishing harm to Mike isn’t a Bucs fan period. I hope He stays healthy and has a couple more good seasons. Anger and bitterness are a waste of your life time. Good luck Mike!
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:13 pm
No plan to follow Evans. I am a Bucs fan first so Evans is dead to me. I don’t care what he does and hope Baker gets an even bigger chip on his shoulder the way Evans disrespected him. BTW, Evans will be lucky to play 9 games with his annual hammy injury problems.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:13 pm
I just remember that game Evans was out Ann we were first and goal and had 9 chances to get into the end zone and how well that worked out. Trying to thrown jump balls to small receivers thinking they could do what Evans does. For all the people thinking we’re better without Evans go back and watch that set of downs…. Now you have no one with that mismatch. With Evans in the red zone there is no DB in the league that could stop him 1 on 1.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:23 pm
he called him big,…but he also did call him old…interesting
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:34 pm
He should have told the Bucs last year what he desired so they could have gotten a draft pick for him from 49’s.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:41 pm
People don’t realize how huge of a hole this left in our roster.
We have no WR1/X receiver more, and nobody currently on our roster can be a true WR1.
Idk if we can win without a true WR1.
We haven’t shown yet that we can, that’s for sure.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:47 pm
M. Evans was a legend in TB technically still is until one of our future Bucs can out do him….But how crazy would it be if 49’ers miss the playoffs and the Bucs make it to NFC championship maybe further…. Karma would be a B1tch…
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:52 pm
Doughboy. The 49’ers weren’t going to give up draft capital for Mike. They aren’t paying him squat guaranteed money for an x receiver. That being said, they may have gotten the steal of the offseason. Because Mike Evans can play him some catch. But if Baker Mayfield hasn’t been “all business” since he walked into OBP, he will be this year. Because that was an awfully disrespectful move Mike pulled on Baker. But Mike didn’t just eff Baker. He effed JL. He effed TB. He effed the City of Tampa. Soon we’ll find out if he managed to eff himself.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Yea Biggun, the chances of the 49rs being out of playoffs is 50-50. The chance of the Bucs making it to NFC playoffs is 0.00. Karma isn’t coming on this topic.
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:58 pm
Mike played in eight games last year, was only in a factor in one of those, we don’t need to pay 22 million for that
April 22nd, 2026 at 5:59 pm
What a moron.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Maybe somewhere deep in the back of Evans’ mind was the following thought ; What if the Bucs screw up and somehow Baker gets away this year. Will Baker risk injury and possible career changing events on his last year ? Sean Sullivan said on the podcast he had them at 6 wins for now. Will Baker be happy if he thinks every game will have to be a shoot out ? I don’t blame Mike for leaving at all. It’s just as much about business for Mike as it is for the owners. Remember when it went down to the last minute for Bowles to get Mike his thousand yards. Then coming back after a bad injury and playing his heart out he gets 3rd and 28 ? I see no reason for Baker to feel confident or even trusting. All Baker has to do is hint about wanting out. That’s a nightmare situation. If the Bucs play great this year Baker’s value goes up and he’ll get offers. If the Bucs defense plays poorly (optimism anyone?) regardless of Baker’s play his value goes down and he could be looking at backup roles. How much does he believe in Zac ? Unless Zac performs miracles will the owners hire him as HC or tear it down and rebuild. Does anyone believe, even with an infusion of talent (rookies), that Bowles and his staff will suddenly dramatically improve ?
One more thing, Baker lost Mike Evans.
The game of chicken is underway.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Imagine putting the personnel on defense we had for out last Super Bowl win right now all on our defense- we’ve got Lavonte and White, Barrett still in his prime, JPP, etc etc. all at their ages and skill level they were back then. Now stop and be honest with yourself- how excited about having an awesome defense would you be this year? Would you expect the same or similar performance level from them? I would.
This means the issues are with the personnel, NOT THE COACH!!! No matter how much people like to pretend otherwise, Bowles is very knowledgeable and fielded an incredible defense in that Sper Bowl and outsmarted Andy Reid by blitzing minimally and using 3 safety looks.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:03 pm
I’m kind of thinking that Licht drafts Sadiq to help replace Evans to some degree because he is big and fast. Should be a very interesting draft. BTW, both Culpepper and Dunn didn’t think that the Bucs had a chance at the SB and left the Bucs – look what happened. lol.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:08 pm
Efff that guy
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:10 pm
The owners took Mike Evans for granted and he recognized that. He left and I wish him the very best. The owners seem to be taking Baker for granted as well.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:20 pm
They have a professional at the Offensive Coordinator position. That matters, Bucs had Grizzard with no experience.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:21 pm
big ole wr probably he said
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:21 pm
Don’t understand why people can’t see this as win win. Mike gets one of the best OCs in the NFL and we are not paying 20-25 million while we rebuild. As I said I want all the best for him and hope he stays healthy but odds and Father Time are against him. Let’s see how it plays out before passing judgement and again any personal attacks or ill will towards Mike is just sad. He was the best of the best Pro while he was here and we were lucky he was a Buc
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:23 pm
I just saw some news that Baker’s wife had a kid today – congrats!
Also saw a video from five months ago where e2 said they should name the kid Maverick – and apparently that is what they went with. Maverick Mayfield is a pretty cool name I must say.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:23 pm
And Purdy was working out with Kittle? Aren’t those guys on the sidelines most of the time? Hard getting in a workout when you’re rehabbing most of the time. Oh well, Mike oughta fit right in with that group.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:29 pm
Eh I wish Evans well unless he plays against us. Players are about the name on the back of the jersey not the emblem on the helmet. 99% of players are.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Stpetematt Says:
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:00 pm
^^^^
One key factor you forgot to mention, the defensive players of the SB team were playing for Bruce Arians as head coach. Bowles was still new and fresh to them. Bowles is like the house guest that drinks up all your beer and stayed too long.
April 22nd, 2026 at 6:43 pm
Mike just got a huge upgrade at Qb.One of the most inaacurate Qbs for one of the most accurate Qbs who is 5 years younger and already has a superior resume. 6 weeks in not one word about Baker but he mae sure to compliment the WR room….