Replacing Mike Evans
August 21st, 2026
What would Chucky do?
In honor of Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Chucky returning to the broadcast booth to call the Chiefs-Bucs worthless preseason game on Saturday, Joe will have a daily story about Chucky in the lead-up to the game.
Joe was going back over Chucky’s media appearance earlier in training camp after it was revealed Chucky will be in the WFLA-TV Channel 8 broadcast booth Saturday when the Bucs host the Chiefs in the Bucs’ second worthless preseason game of the summer.
Chucky was asked about the Bucs losing Mike Evans and how they will adjust. He absolutely raved about Evans and predicted that if there is such a thing as an unbreakable Bucs record, it is Evans’ 11 straight seasons to start a career with 1,000 receiving yards.
But in a breakdown of what the Bucs may do in Evans’ absence, Joe thought Chucky hit a point right on the head.
But first, here is Chucky’s full response to how the Bucs manage the hole in the roster left by one of the greatest receivers in NFL history.
“Yeah, that’s a challenge,” Chucky said. “You know, Mike wasn’t good; he was great. There’s a big difference between good and great.
“What he did here, no one’s ever going to do. I mean, 11 straight years. [When] I was here, [Joey] Galloway did it three straight years, and he broke a Buccaneer record most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. This guy [Evans] did it 11 times.
“He did it on the backside of ‘trips.’ They isolated him. He won 27 contested touchdowns in the last few years. I got him on a reel. They put him in a slot. He showcased quickness.
“I hated seeing him leave, and you won’t replace him. But somebody’s got to step into those shoes, and they might do it by committee.
“I’m excited to see this Hurst kid, 6-4. He runs four-four. McMillan, when healthy, he’s a helluva player, man. And I like this Tez Johnson guy. He’s interesting.
“But you know you don’t replace anybody like Mike. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime player.”
So what in Chucky’s response jumped out to Joe? Chucky saying the Bucs may try to fill Evans’ shoes by committee.
The Bucs have a deep receivers room. So if Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is creative, he has the talent to do so many things.
And while Joe does not like to compare Ted Hurst to Evans because that is just unfair to the Georgia State product, there is nothing Joe sees from Hurst that suggests he cannot make an impact this year.
Hell, just Wednesday Joe saw Hurst outmuscle Antoine Winfield for a ball. And Winfield is a friggin’ All-Pro!
So Joe thinks Chucky is onto something. No, no one can replace Evans short of Jerry Rice. But the Bucs have a deep enough bench at receiver that several guys could pitch in and fill Evans’ void.
August 21st, 2026 at 12:12 am
From what I read here, it sounds like the new OC wants more 2 tight end sets. I think he might need to go with more 3 wide receiver sets. It sounds like the Bucs have a lot more talent at wide receiver than tight end.
August 21st, 2026 at 12:23 am
I mostly agree with the sentiment, but you know whose name is missing from this whole post? Chris Godwin. Who is in excellent shape and ready to carry a load.
August 21st, 2026 at 12:24 am
And I should note, the #2 best receiver in Bucs History.
August 21st, 2026 at 12:43 am
Give me a healthy quad over another forced 1000 yard season, please.
August 21st, 2026 at 5:39 am
We can all just DREAM and watch the Ohio State vs Texas game in a couple of more weeks, and witness THE ‘greatest’ WR matchup in the HISTORY of college football, when Jeremiah Smith and Cam Coleman go mano a mano. It’s going to be SPECIAL.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:13 am
Go look at the film with Evans, Godwin and Antonio Brown.
I loved those 3 WR sets.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:27 am
Evans leaving frees up a lot of Trainers time trying to get another mile out of those old tires.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:29 am
Winfield ” was ” an all pro two or three seasons ago.. fixed your article. He has fallen off a cliff since he got paid.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:35 am
Mike Evans had 30 catches and 3 TDs last season.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to replace that level of production…
And – YES – Mike Evans was probably the best WR of all time here but he needed to move on and I’m glad he was able to.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:35 am
The Bucs abundant talent at the wide receiver position is exactly why I don’t see Robinson utilizing the heavy 12 and 13 personnel that so many others have taken for a given.
He did that only one year in Atlanta – last year when they were missing Drake London for so many games.
If anything, you’ll see more heavy tight end packages in goal to go situations where their size can help in the run game and jump ball passes.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:54 am
I thought this was a buccaneers site. Why am I reading about a 49er? Mike Evans can shine my knob.
August 21st, 2026 at 6:57 am
Besides, I hear he’s injured. Hamstring as usual. If he plays six games I’ll be astonished
August 21st, 2026 at 6:59 am
It’s not unfair to compare Hurst to Evans. Similar size, speed and play style. Yes Hirst has a lot to prove to be compared production wise but as far as body and play style they’re swam pretty similar. And let’s be honest they drafted Hurst to replace Evans, here’s to hoping Hirst is able to break Mikes record. That’s like be a win for everyone
August 21st, 2026 at 7:33 am
Committee only means until someone stands out.