Mike Evans Leaving Left Chris Godwin In Stunned Disbelief
June 2nd, 2026
Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were close nine-year teammates and friends.
Joe even heard Evans call Godwin his “best friend on the team” during the past year.
So today at One Buc Palace, Joe asked Godwin to describe the moment he found out Evans was leaving Tampa for San Francisco — despite the Bucs trying to hand him a lot more money and a better quarterback.
Godwin admitted to being stunned.
“Honestly, I didn’t believe it. There’s a bunch of stuff on the Internet that you can’t really believe, a lot of AI stuff,” Godwin replied.
Godwin went on to say he texted Baker Mayfield to ask, “Is this for real?” Mayfield confirmed the bad news, Godwin said. “It’s part of the game, unfortunately.”
Interesting to Joe that Godwin didn’t text Evans himself to ask if the reported signing with the 49ers was legit, and that it came as such a surprise to Godwin.
It’s become obvious that Evans didn’t share his feelings on staying/leaving Tampa with those he was closest to at One Buc Palace.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:32 pm
Call me crazy but I like this receiving core without Mike than I do with Mike in it last season.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:40 pm
This receiving corps will be excellent regardless of whether Mike is here or not. They are stacked and deep.
We need to get our corners almost that deep. Both are very difficult positions.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:40 pm
*Corps.
The word is corps. #facepalm
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:42 pm
I love Evans like most fans of this team. However how he left the team and how he left his teammates was just wrong. Yes it business but it kinda seems like he didn’t give the team or anyone else in the building any respect. Dude just left and didn’t say anything.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:42 pm
Bucs local media won’t let it go. At the age Mike Evans is he most likely will struggle to stay healthy. He is at the end of his career.
Take a look at the NFL’s best receivers of all time and what their production was once they turned 33 and you will see that unless you are Jerry Rice or Larry Fitzgerald the production dropped dramatically as would be expected.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:44 pm
…now to the topic at hand…
Is it possible that Godwin went to Baker because Evans ghosted everybody, even his best friend on the team?
He quit on us. I don’t care what some of y’all say. The guy is persona non-grata, as far as I’m concerned. You can expect at least one boo’ing attendee at whatever ROH game it is that he gets inducted at.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:47 pm
I wish Mike luck. I’ll follow him. We are looking good at WR. No worries.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:50 pm
Evans was too cowardly to tell Godwin that he was quitting the team. Evans wants to win a Lombardi and to show the 49ers fans that he’s as good as Jerry Rice.
For us Bucs fans, I won’t miss him and I think we have a great receiving corps with a better leader – Chris Godwin.
June 2nd, 2026 at 1:54 pm
Wish Mike nothing but the best hope he balls out even when he plays the bucs as long as the bucs still win of course.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:05 pm
If Chris were in a contract year he would’ve bolted too. The only one who didn’t is Overpaid Otten. For $10million obvious reasons.
What a sham.
But, Todd is the greatest and someone suggested the Glazers should sponsor a Mike Evans jersey swap. LOL.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:14 pm
Time to stop pissn an moaning! The people on this blog included! Godwin needs to get open ,win the contested passes..Bowles is the coach and mayfield is the qb ! Get over it Evans is gone! GO Bucs!
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:15 pm
Classless of Evans not to tell Godwin face-to-face.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:18 pm
?????
Say !
Vernon Hargraves is going to inducted into the UF Gators Hall of Fame…. ?
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:21 pm
Very strange. Either they’ve overplayed their relationship over the years or something seriously PO’d Evans to the degree that everyone is collateral damage.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:23 pm
I love Evans, always will, but to ask a historically hamstrung with injuries player to suddenly stay healthy at 32+ is asking a lot… almost a miracle, really. Evans may flash but when it’s time, it’s time. Look at the drop off for Julio Jones, Jones was also one with hamstring issues but at maybe half the occurrences that we had for Evans… and he never stayed healthy his last few seasons. It’s only going to get worse for Evans. The Bucs said and did the right things, but they really didn’t want to re-sign him. With the young receivers they have now, Evans would only stand in their way of their development. it was time for him to go.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Yes at first glance a bit odd. However if you consider ME did not want it leaked it made complete sense.I think he kept his feelings to himself to avoid risk of it leaking out .Well who knows, maybe he did not want anyone to talk him out of it or stir ill feelings.
I mean who do you tell right. However I think he decided it after the Atl game and never turned back. I mean it was clear the defense had to be rebuilt not reloaded. That is still the case. I believe he also lost faith in Bowles and Licht. I think teammates like the fans were stunned.I think everyone was in shock. I think teammates are happy for him if he thinks he can get a ring. At the end of the day it was a sound business decision as far as his career ,not money. He obviously has all of that he wants or needs.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:32 pm
This is the one position grooup where if a key player is injured there should be very little if any falloff in production.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:36 pm
“Evans was leaving Tampa for San Francisco — despite the Bucs trying to hand him a lot more money and a better quarterback.”
False. Baker is no where near Brock Purdy’s level.
He was the last man picked, Baker was the first picked.
Purdy has played in two Conference title games in four seasons.
And he’s been where Baker will never lead a team to: The Superbowl.
Joe wants us to believe that isn’t urination on our legs, it’s rain.
June 2nd, 2026 at 2:58 pm
I didn’t think something weird happened before. But the fact that Evans didn’t tell Godwin himself makes me think something weird happened. No one gets into this, but simplest thing may be that they drafted Ebuka
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:09 pm
He said, she said, whatever. You know it hurt me when you left me but I know best friends must part. But when I lost my mama, that’s the one that broke my heart.
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Exhibit A of why Chris Godwin is a better leader than Mike Evans
Also, second exactly what BucsFan81 said
Lastly, Joe’s last line here. There’s so much to that. And that has me stunned.
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Evans is washed up… yes he can still play but!
EE scared the athletic CRAP out of Evans
Stop talking about Mike Evans !
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Takes a whole team to get to a superbowl, not just the QB. They have a much better HC and OC in SF. That’s not disputable. Mike is at the end of his career so as I when he left it’s win win for both teams. The truth will eventually come out.
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:25 pm
A true friend will never turn his back on you f mike evans he aint no true friend
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:43 pm
As Mike Evans said…
I was “looking at contenders; guys with good quarterbacks”
After watching Baker singlehandedly meltdown and lose 4 games in a row with the playoffs on the line, Evans did what a HOF player in his last days does – he went to a legit contender who has a legit good quarterback.
Had Baker not choked over and over again, Evans would still be here.
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:49 pm
“Interesting to Joe that Godwin didn’t text Evans himself to ask if the reported signing with the 49ers was legit, and that it came as such a surprise to Godwin.”
He just said he was seeing fake news all over the place. Seems like basic common courtesy not to be slamming Evans phone asking him to confirm or deny every rumor on the internet.
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:50 pm
The wr corp is the weakest link on the team.
Not even on paper do they look strong.
Godwin can’t stay healthy, Egbuka hasn’t proven anything yet.
Tez and Mac are too small imo. Hurst is a rookie from some small school.
Weak and a lot of you are going to find out real soon.
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:54 pm
If you ain’t a pirate, you’re gator bait or something like that
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:56 pm
Godwin will never turn his back on Tampa bay
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:00 pm
Buc1987 Says:
June 2nd, 2026 at 3:50 pm
The wr corp is the weakest link on the team.
———
Talk about stupid hot takes. LOL!
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Rod Munch…just sit back and watch.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Move on.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Buc1987 Says:
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:03 pm
Rod Munch…just sit back and watch.
————-
You have literally zero ability to know what you’re watching if you don’t think the Bucs have a really good WR room.
And what am I watching? Baker overthrowing e2 by 25 yards when he’s wide open in the end zone? That’s not a WR issue.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:17 pm
Who actually thinks Evans would say he wanted to go to a contender with a serviceable or ok quarterback? Look who nailed it for him. Kittle. Not Purdy. He would have said the same thing no matter where he went. When you quote him quote everything he said not what you like to cherry pick out of if it.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Eff Mike, He is a traitor, He wasn’t Dean, He could have Been Like 40 or 20, or 55….. 99 and 47 didn’t choose to walk out the Bucs left them, 13 choose elsewhere, he will never be what he could have been to this team. Disappointing Mike, go have fun being the 3rd best team in your division.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:32 pm
Mike was done when he yelled, “3rd and 28” on the way to the locker room. Can’t blame the guy for being frustrated and making a change. The good news is this isn’t a Tom Brady situation where his departure from NE hurt them significantly. The WR room is solid.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Assuming that Godwin Egbuka McMillan Hurst Sills Johnson AND Baker stay healthy the offense should be as good as it was with Evans – Evans has great stats and is a HOF lock but it seemed to me that he drew a lot of DPI calls and he out-reached CBs due to his height but he didn’t really excite me as a player that much – that is part of the game though and he also didn’t have the mouth of a OBJ or Ocho Cinco which kept him under the media radar – Evans was no doubt excellent but I think he is replaceable
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:46 pm
It will be interesting to see what happens with EE. Defenders started keying on him when he was basically the replacement for Evans. He disappeared or supposedly hit the rookie wall.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:46 pm
I think 3rd and 28 sealed it. Realized the defense wasn’t up to par to contend immediately. And I think he wanted to be the man, and on the Bucs, he was #1, but with Egbuka, Godwin and McMillan, he knew he would not be #1 in receptions or yardage and might struggle to get his 1K. He is going for legacy and if he falls off 1K due to us having so many options and he becomes more of a decoy than primary target, he will not be happy. It’s understandable. He earned his right to chase that. It’s his last chance. Let it go. Let’s just wish the best for ME13.
I hope to not see another post about him here. There’s a lot to look at this team for the upcoming season. The defense got better than I expected, though they remain very thin (no depth). Let’s see how the corners do after a year of experience. New running back. O-Line back. Let’s go Bucs!
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:51 pm
I too honestly believe when he went ballistic over the 3rd and 28 he was already finished. On top of that he expected the 4th and 14 results that anyone with a brain knew was coming.
June 2nd, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Even the great Howie Roseman had his number one receiver run screaming from the franchise! The grass is always greener I guess.
June 2nd, 2026 at 5:07 pm
He took his ball and went home. Let’s give him some grace he had the toughest of upbringings. Sending love but rooting against the 49ers always. Hope his season is meh…
June 2nd, 2026 at 5:12 pm
The Bucs and Mike Evans had a close bond. When Mike decided to sign with the 49’ers. he did the Bucs a favor. Most franchises today would have traded.him for a future first round draft pick.
Resigning him would have hurt the team. Mke did the Bucs a favor. We drafted Ted Hurst who has similar traits of Mike Evans.
In the end every benefits by the move.
June 2nd, 2026 at 5:13 pm
Two articles today about Evans leaving……how about doing them all in one day and get this over with.
HE”S GONE!!!
June 2nd, 2026 at 5:27 pm
I think, this will be one of the moments Mike Evans says to himself. “What the heck was I thinking leaving the Bucs.” I could a player leaving for more money or a shot at the Super Bowl but this? -sigh-
June 2nd, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Tbbf, for real! My God how many times must we read the same story with minor changes about the same topic. Over and over and over.. Yes, I know, no one’s holding a gun to my head. Basically just reading the comments because the story doesn’t change at this point.
June 2nd, 2026 at 6:06 pm
100% Evans made the right move, Bucs owners–Glazers incapable of firing a man who has only achieved mediocrity over many years. Glazers do not care about this team enough so why should Mike stay? The prime time game versus Falcons, Kirk Cousins ripped this team up and Bowles completely incapable of stopping him. Bucs are a bad team last year and with Bowles as HC they still are now. Mike has a chance, I am glad he left–will follow him at SF.
June 2nd, 2026 at 6:07 pm
Evans who?!
Honestly, he’s dead to me…until we put him in the Ring of Honor and when he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame. And when he signs with the Bucs for a 1-day contract to retire a Buc. Otherwise, screw him.
He did us dirty. Legit. Persuade me I’m wrong.
June 2nd, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Steven007. We all look at it differently. I was flabbergasted to learn that Mike hadn’t contacted Chris about making the decision he made. And I felt good hearing that the person Godwin immediately texted was Baker. I hadn’t heard anything from Chris about this, thanks for the story JBF.
June 2nd, 2026 at 6:24 pm
JOE SAYS … “Despite the Bucs trying to hand him a better quarterback”
Baker is better than Purdy. ABSOLUTE COMEDY
Purdy plays in the NFC West (Seahawks, Rams, 49ers … Arizona)
Despite the hardest division, Purdy has more playoff wins than Baker has playoff games in half the seasons.
Purdy wins games. Baker loses games.
You know how I know? Purdy is 3-0 against Baker.
When are you guys going to get it? Baker is a journeyman entertainer. He’s not a winner. Never has won. Never will win. He’s an amusing clown that gives great interviews, makes “exciting play”, and makes great commercials. He’s fun but he loses games. The Bucs had the division locked up. The Bucs lost six straight games and he throws 4th quarter interceptions in critical moments that lost four of those games. He’s a loser. That’s why three teams fired him.
Mike Evans left BECAUSE Baker/Bowles lose games. Purdy wins.
June 2nd, 2026 at 6:44 pm
Purdy hasn’t won anything. Good luck in that division they might not even make the playoffs this yr. There behind rams and Seattle
June 2nd, 2026 at 7:11 pm
Suddenly seems like Mike wasn’t as tight with certain teammates as we were led to believe
June 2nd, 2026 at 7:38 pm
Purdy is totally unproven in comparison to Mayfield. Compare the two of them in their respective histories in the NFL. Purdy made a soft landing with a great team, Mayfield has had only challenges, setting the record for instability in team failures and coaching merry-go-rounds.
Not taking anything away from Purdy and his demonstrated skills. He’s proven to be an excellent passer. However, if you supplanted him into situations that Mayfield has endured, how would he have compared?
And to my favorite poster RodM: I’m continuing to enjoy your unproven conclusion around the narrative, “looking at contenders; guys with good quarterbacks”. You are likely one of the few who have not considered that Evan’s criteria for selecting a new team meant “….guys with good quarterbacks (like the quarterback I currently have, but one with a better team to support him so that we can win).
Rod — you’re going to look like a fool when ME eventually clarifies his true assessment of Mayfield.
I said it when it happened: Mike Evans quit his “forever Bucs” teammates when he left. He had a stellar career with Tampa Bay, but he certainly didn’t possess the loyalty and gratitude necessary to earn the mantle of “forever Buc”.
June 2nd, 2026 at 7:41 pm
Mike’s love of the team, town, and his teammates only seemed to last as long as his streak. Once the aforementioned failed to serve the king, the became expendable.
Who didn’t love Evans? He didn’t need to treat the team, town, or teamates like a 3am bar hook up the next day
June 2nd, 2026 at 8:36 pm
BBBB: Cry me a river.
June 2nd, 2026 at 9:21 pm
Last 3 years :
Mayfield – 51 games – 12,237 Yards – 95 TDs – 37 Ints – 66.3 comp% – 923 rush yds – 5 TDs
Purdy – 40 games – 10,311 yards – 71 TDs – 33 Ints – 68.2 comp% – 614 rush yds – 10 TDs
Baker and Brock both have top 10 level stats. Purdy throws more Ints compared to TD passes – but also has more rushing TDs and better completion %.
2 very good QBs. Not top 5 – but top 10 both of them
Biggest obvious difference is that Purdy misses games every year due to injuries and Baker doesn’t…..
June 2nd, 2026 at 9:58 pm
Its a team game dipweed…
Comparing positional stats is the only reasonable way to try and gauge how 2 players stack up against each other as NFL QBs…
June 2nd, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Dipweed is a kinder word for Dumbshlt.
June 2nd, 2026 at 10:14 pm
Baker has Bowles and a new OC every year
Purdy has only had Shanahan
June 2nd, 2026 at 10:40 pm
BBBB — Captain of the neg-bias club!
June 2nd, 2026 at 10:42 pm
Aaron: Classic — Purdy got the gold mine, Mayfield got the shaft (multiple times)!
June 2nd, 2026 at 11:24 pm
Love Mike but he made bad decision, we will be better than SF this year. If u not in then later days even you big Mike. Bucs for life baby!
June 3rd, 2026 at 3:38 am
Egbuka hasn’t proven anything, you say? In his rookie season, where he himself will acknowledge he dropped off second half, he got 938 receiving yards, just below the 1000 mark Evans has been getting flowers for. Hardly unreasonable to say he will improve this year and break through 1000 yards.
June 3rd, 2026 at 6:13 am
Sure looks like Mike was a real coward on his way out.
June 3rd, 2026 at 7:21 am
My guess is Mike was just so disgusted with Bowles’ and this teams complete and utter collapse last season that he decided to leave regardless of how much money was left on the table. That’s virtually undebatable. It remains to be seen if the move was a good one for him.
June 3rd, 2026 at 8:36 am
Sometimes in life business decisions take priority. Feelings be damned. The Evans departure was a business decision on both the Bucs brass and Evans for it takes 2 to tango, and Mike tangoed his way to Frisco. End of story.
June 3rd, 2026 at 12:17 pm
Loyalty is something any generation x person knows is not something that can be believed in…so these kinds of stories are eye rollers to those of us in our 60s or our teens that make the rest of you look painfully naive or worse to us
June 3rd, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Evans use to moss people regularly and hasn’t in nearly 6 years. Tom Brady extended his career if anything
June 3rd, 2026 at 11:39 pm
Evans is a jerk who disappeared in the Super Bowl. Buc fans need to find better heroes.