BSPN: Bucs May Miss Mike Evans But Remaining Receivers Will Be Fine
July 2nd, 2026
Exit won’t doom Bucs.
It seems a guy who swallowed a calculator believes the Bucs shouldn’t lose much sleep because Mike Evans couldn’t bolt out of town fast enough.
(While this is not a Mike Evans’ post, Joe knows there are shallow fans who will be triggered by the mere sight of Evans’ name in a story. These same fans apparently are good with Hall of Fame players running away from the Bucs to take a massive paycut to get out of town, as these fans walk around Central Avenue with their index fingers stuck in their ears as they hum, “LA-LA-LA-LA-LA-LA!” Joe has zee-ROW intention of playing ostrich about Evans and won’t quit typing about him until we get to the bottom of Evans’ departure. Until Joe learns why, how can we ever expect the Bucs to prevent this from repeating? If Evans can run from Tampa like a scared greyhound, so too can Antoine Winfield, Vita Vea and Tristan Wirfs. If one doesn’t learn from mistakes, they’re bound to be repeated.)
Seth Walder of BSPN never met a number he didn’t like. And his numbers apparently tell him the Bucs still have a strong wide receiver room.
Yeah, Walder types, losing Evans sucks. But the Bucs will survive and may even thrive.
Offseason grades
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B
Biggest move: Drafting Edge Rueben Bain Jr.
Move I liked: Signing Edge Al-Quadin Muhammad
Move I disliked: Not retaining CB Jamel DeanThe Buccaneers are at an interesting point in their team-building arc. Franchise icon Mike Evans walked in free agency, the team is trying to figure out how much it wants to commit to quarterback Baker Mayfield going forward, and yet the Bucs are still the favorites to win the NFC South.
The Evans loss stung because he took a below-market deal with the 49ers, but the Buccaneers are in fine shape at receiver with Chris Godwin Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and third-round pick Ted Hurst III on the roster.
Joe agrees. The Bucs cannot replace Evans but they can get production from others. So long as Godwin can stay healthy, the Bucs should be fine at receiver.
What Joe loves about this is the Bucs don’t need Ted Hurst on the field right away. They can go slow with the rookie and let him develop at his own pace.
As a result, Joe believes Hurst make an impact later in the season when he has more snaps under his belt.
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:10 am
I would like to rush Hurst, its not like he is a QB or Center. The best way to learn is get on the field and play, screws happen even with veterans.
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:12 am
Pretty much the what a lot of us have been saying. Youth and speed are good upgrades. Across the board on offense, defense, special teams and some coaches
have been upgraded. This team overall should be much better and if the record isn’t better Todd should be let go
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:22 am
I’m more concerned with our CBs and D-line…
Our WR room will be fine.
Shep had more receiving yards than ME13 last season and he is still chilling out at home.
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:23 am
$22 million he’d have gotten got us a few needed players
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:34 am
Well said oldskool, last season was horrible on everyone and I think evans like Garrett just had enough,which really is ok, ide rather him leave then be all disgruntled and showing his frustration on TV again,( capt obvious) i agree on the upgrades ,now its time for Bowles to run with it im sure he knows it’s hard to get a second chance Good luck ,stay healthy..Go Bucs!
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:36 am
We’re not going to miss him that much, if at all.
We have a ton of younger WR talent.
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:55 am
The team is not better because Mike left, that’s a pretty stupid take. Mike is not here because Bowles still is. Mike doesn’t want to play with soft quitters. I don’t blame him. As for the loss of soft azz mentality weak Dean, addition by subtraction. If you have a modicum of sense you know Bowles is the limiting factor with this team.
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:55 am
Joe you know better than anyone except maybe Ira, lol. Unless you are informed off the record we are not going to know the real story around Evans leaving. Why?, because it would be embarrassing to the Organization. When an Organization adopts a company line “It Was Family, you know they are covering up. Joe really when a player leaves a team he has been with for years and stated in the past he wanted to stay suddenly changes his mind and goes to a team for a lot less money it is clear he was unhappy with the way the team was going. To that end the Bucs are not going to say oh he left because he lost faith. You better believe the Bucs will keep that under lock and key.
I mean look at that defense 3-28 . The Bucs made few moves in FA and it was clear to Mike the team wasn’t trying to win now. Mike only has a couple of years left. I mean look who can blame him. It was a business decision clearly.Mike surely isn’t going to say hey I did not stay because the Bucs are not committed to winning now and I need to win now my career is coming to an end.
With that said I hated to see him leave but it is clear to me Mike is correct the Bucs are rebuilding and taking their time doing it. I mean the draft is the final answer. Presently they are counting on 3 rookies to play like All Pros, which isn’t likely. They are in dire need of a starting CB and need depth at LB, which they have not addressed
They know they can’t win now, but they are not going to tell us hey wait a couple years and we will be good.
Mike saw it and said hey I need to win now. I have been on too may losing Buc teams that part of my career is past.
Keep digging Joe you are not going to find anything. The Bucs are not letting the reason out and Mike has moved on and we need too as well.
July 2nd, 2026 at 7:56 am
Mike Evans is at the twilight of his career. The money that would have gone to Mike this season can be used for Mayfied and retaining key players. Offensive coache Robinson is from the Mcvay tree and I expect the scoring to improve from 20 points a game to 28 points. In the NFC South Conference. That’s a winning formula to win their Conference and making a championship Conference run a possibility.
Jason Licht had a good draft and we can expect to see similar results next year. Next year we could see the Bucs a real Super Bowl contenders.
July 2nd, 2026 at 8:05 am
“Joe knows there are shallow fans who will be triggered by the mere sight of Evans…” How bout that Paul Warfield..? That was one smooth cat. See – not triggered.
July 2nd, 2026 at 8:09 am
Receivers think they are all 1B, until the 1A receiver leaves, then you find out the rest were really just a bunch of C receivers.
July 2nd, 2026 at 8:11 am
Seth Walder: Move I disliked: Not retaining CB Jamel Dean
Did he watch the Dolphins’ game? A must win game for Bucs?
Dean gave up a 60 yard TD pass by jumping the route and “loafed” around on several other plays- either that or he was unprepared and confused.
July 2nd, 2026 at 8:22 am
Leadership is always missed but with CG assuming and expounding more of the example and responsibilities that part is covered. Wishing ME all the best!
July 2nd, 2026 at 8:28 am
@BA Red Pen
ME13 (the enemy) needed a new challenge, it’s truly that simple. After spending his entire career with Tampa, some players want to experience a different organization before retiring. Maybe another ring??
@Allen Lofton
I agree. As great as the player formerly known as ME13 was, roster building is about the entire team, not one player. If Pistol 🔫 Zac’s offense boosts efficiency and Bake continues to spread the ball around, retaining key players while developing young talent (Hurst III) gives our Bucs a better chance to compete for years not just one season.
@Joe
I think that’s a fair assessment. Replacing Mikes production collectively is a much more realistic goal. If this offense becomes more balanced and efficient, the receiver room may end up being deeper than many expect. That’s what makes this season so intriguing.
🔥 LFG!
💍 Ring ME Already!!
July 2nd, 2026 at 8:39 am
My theory is simple. He thinks he can pad his career stats in SF much more easily than if he stayed in TB. The Bucs have the much better WR room and staying in Tampa would’ve meant less targets. He’s driven by stats alone and wants to go into the HOF as one of the most prolific WRs of all time. To do that you need targets & TDs. He’ll have plenty of opportunities in SF as their WR room is weak comparatively. Money is way down on his priority list. He already has more than he will ever need.
July 2nd, 2026 at 8:56 am
Please let’s be done with Dean. Quit mentioning him as if he’s a Revis Island. Dean is fragile, stiff, passive, timid, n a big DUD contrary to let’s talk some JParrish, who is an example of dynamite comes in small packages. He’s mobile, agile, aggressive, hawkish, football intelligent, fast, elusive, has good field vision, n fearless. No more talk of Paula Dean, my bad, Jamel.
July 2nd, 2026 at 9:12 am
The only thing that worries me about losing Dean is our cornerback depth. We almost always have cb’s injured at one point or another and the talent level drops off viciously after our starters. We really need another competent corner just in case and I don’t see it on this roster right now. Maybe one of the young players but that’s awfully risky for a team that could go far in the playoffs. Fix this, Licht! Get another ILB too- I don’t trust Rozeboom and we need another that can cover or just play nickel or dime I guess….