Jason Licht Talks Mike Evans’ Status
February 24th, 2026
Buccaneers GM Jason Licht.
The Tampa Bay action at the NFL Scouting Combine began today with Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht talking to Joe and assembled local media in Indianapolis.
Of course, the subject of pending free agent Mike Evans came up. The greatest receiver in Bucs history wants to play in 2026 but says he’s considering all options.
Will the Bucs go all-in to ensure Evans plays a 13th season for Tampa Bay?
Licht was very measured in his comments about Evans, but the message was clear. The Bucs want Evans back and want to respect him through the free agency process.
“I love Mike, and we’d love to have Mike back. And he’s earned the right to [test free agency] with his resume,” Licht said. “Mike as a person what he’s meant to this entire community, the fan base, all of us. I could go on and on, which we have, he’s earned that right. We’d love to have Mike back. We’re just seeing how the process goes.”
Asked about potentially using the franchise tag on Evans, Licht didn’t rule it out but stressed Evans should have the freedom to study opportunities and figure out what’s best for him and his family.
There is no communication issue between the Licht and Evans camps, Licht emphasized, and the sides will be meet this week at the Combine.
Joe asked Licht if an offer from the Bucs has been made to Evans, and Licht didn’t answer directly. He said a meeting will happen this week.
“We want Mike back,” Licht said. “He’s meant a lot to us. Ultimately, we’d like him to retire as a Buc.”
February 24th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Doesn’t sound so great
February 24th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
What is the use since you still have that horrible D coordinator in tow !!
February 24th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Tag him.
February 24th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Should have asked which kicker he will draft in round 1.
Or why he can’t draft QB’s to save his life.
And why he has drafted zero pro bowlers since 2000.
The reason for Bowles extension would also be a great question.
But that would require a set of cojones.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
ME is part Drama but he changes the whole Offense when he is not on the field. Let’s get this done and over with before FA hits.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
Good to hear our fearless GM is actually talking didnt know he had it in him where is the speech where he endorses Todd Bowles? oh wait that didnt happen maybe the Glazers did? oh wait didnt happen either lame duck GM and terrible owners not Hugh Culverhouse terrible but bad and are getting worse every year. Super Bowl year was the last time they actually cared and tried been coasting since then and complacent just sad
February 24th, 2026 at 1:16 pm
Fire the cannons, Todd and his son. Nothing else really matters.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:19 pm
It’s time to let Mike go. He is going to cost around 25million. That money could go to Hendrickson. Our team is a lot stronger with Trey, than Mike.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Bucs have the secret weapon to keep Mike and prove they can seriously make a Super Bowl run.
Todd Bowles.
Mike knows 3rd and 28 wasn’t Todd’s fault.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
They are going to throw good money at him. They shouldn’t have paid Godwin. They have a plan to stack the offense to hopefully offset the defense. Bowles can’t coach defense and they can’t evaluate defensive college prospects worth a damn.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:32 pm
WOW! THIS SAYS A LOT!!!
“Mike has earned the right to test FA?” We’ve never heard Licht utter those words. Never. Licht never lets prized FA walk. Never.
Either:
1. Mike threw out a big number
2. Licht and co are ready to rebuild
3. Ownership aren’t allowing Licht to spend
4. All of the above
Something to watch.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Barber has said he doesn’t think the Bucs let Mike Get away said he dosnt see it happening an he is a True insider who talks to people in the building an Barber gives his input on situations an everyone knows Mike can still Ball an the Bucs are better with him then Without get it done 2 year deal 40 Mill guarantee it all unless he decides to retire next year LFG
February 24th, 2026 at 1:38 pm
This season is already gone.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:40 pm
I love Mike but guy is always hurt. Spend the money in beefing up the D. We have enough weapons on offensive.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
“Mike knows 3rd and 28 wasn’t Todd’s fault.”….ALung
Oh really! Have you been talking to Mike? If not, exactly who do you think he is thinking of? Baker, Vita, JTS? Everyone but you knows who. Your spit-buddy, Todd Bowels! Who is he going to see at the beginning of training camp????
Watch out for the 49rs. They have Mike at the top of their FA list.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:43 pm
go to HOU MIKE!!!!!
you deserve stability and a shot at another ring…
GO BUCS!!!!!
February 24th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
A wasted season and then seeing Mike in a chiefs jersey would give me a heart attack. Please consider our health when making decisions
February 24th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
Mike hopefully will be a Buc until he retires. I’d feel better about it all of Bowles was gone, but you know. Can’t blame Mike if he leaves because of Todd. What a mess as usual. It gets tiring.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
I think he is still secretly disgusted about 3 and 28!!! sat there and watched those 2 throws in disgust myself!!! can imagine that his competitive can take a chance on our terrible defense, he’s gone, Thanks Mike.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
I think ME13 knows that if he comes back there will be a defensive disaster that no offense no matter how good can makeup for. Mike does not like to lose and that is exactly what will happen with Bowles and his soft coverages and poor defensive players. If the Bucs really want Mike back the first order of business is to fire Bowles and light a fire under Licht’s a** to sign premier defensive FA’s.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Everything is doom and gloom. This is so crazy with the negativity. His agent is just getting more money from the Bucs.. Kinda smart.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
I think Mike’s agent is going to be doing a LIVE interview at 3:00 today with T-Krass on the new 95.7 WDAE. Could be interesting!!!!
February 24th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
JL supposedly on just after 2:00 LoL.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
Houston has a terrible QB
February 24th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
These pessimistic comments… My goodness lol.
Folks, Evans is going to be a Buc 4 Lyfe.
Jason is playing coy since nothing is “official official.”
They’ll get it done. Mike is still elite. Trust me, if you are a Bucs fan, you want him back. He’ll be back.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:56 pm
As long as Todd Bowles is coaching, this team will go nowhere. Mike knows that. 3rd & 28. Mike has certainly earned the right to do whatever he chooses.
February 24th, 2026 at 1:57 pm
#99 the big fella Says:
“His agent is just getting more money from the Bucs.. Kinda smart.”
Yeah let’s waste more money on an offensive player.
Never mind the defense and the lack of quality talent.
Add that to the genius that is Todd Bowles defense and we’re in for another SB title!
#Winning!
February 24th, 2026 at 1:59 pm
Having listened to Jason speak over the years this is the translation:
Mike is an important figure in his franchise and it’s history and he would be very meaningful for us to have him retire as a buccaneer. However we don’t value his performance on the field anymore at the price point that he has commended. As such we will not apply the franchise tag to him but will rather let him explore free agency and if we can offer a competitive price that would be sufficient to have him stay we would be glad to have him back but we will not break the bank for him.
February 24th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Go out, find out your value, come back to us, and we’ll work something out Mike.
Legacy. Not just Mikes’, but Lichts’ as an GM and this franchises’. Mike is our Larry Fitzgerald, but Mike helped get us a ring
February 24th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
From my perspective, I don’t understand why he would leave. He has a ring, he is a 1st ballot hall of famer (I think), he has been with Tampa his entire career and is loved by the community….and, realistically, he may only have 1 year left in him…and that’s if he can stay healthy. Now, he may have other reasons for not returning…who knows. I wish the best for him and I hope he stays.
February 24th, 2026 at 2:43 pm
The only thing better than a crawfish dinner is two crawfish dinners.
Mike wants another ring. His outburst after the Atlanta debacle says it all.
Bowles defense sucks out loud and will never be anything more than what it currently is.
Hot garbage.
February 24th, 2026 at 2:58 pm
In the words of former Bucs assistant Mike Tomlin, “We want volunteers not hostages.”
February 24th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
Sign him soon Licht!
Don’t let him out the door.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
Out of respect for Mike, I don’t think they’ll use the tag on him. However, maybe they tag him because they respect him and are willing to pay him the 28 million or so. Food for thought.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:16 pm
Jason Licht … “And he’s earned the right to [test free agency] with his resume. We’d love to have Mike back. We’re just seeing how the process goes.”
JL just said the ONLY THING that he can say at this point. ME13 has said that he wants to test Free Agency. Bucs have no idea how that’ll turn out. Maybe some team with a competitive roster will offer him $30 mil for this year, or maybe even a multi-year contract? Maybe the Bucs have no intention of paying anyplace close to that amount for a 33-year-old receiver who’s only given us 22 out of 34 games these past 2 years.
Whether Mike Evans ends his career with the Bucs is mostly HIS decision. I’d love to have him back too, but only at a reasonable cost. We can’t be competitive if we spend what salary CAP we have on just a couple of players; our NEEDS are much greater than that.
February 24th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
LynchMob, I find myself much in agreement with your posts. I was not aware Licht had not drafted a pro bowler since 2000. That says a lot. And here Joe (or at least one of the Joes) wants to put him in the Ring of honor. Go figure.
February 24th, 2026 at 4:09 pm
Licht hadn’t been here since 2000, not even close. I’m not even going to list all of the players that made the worthless Pro Bowl. Wirfs alone has been 1st Team All-Pro for both LT and RT. Only player ever.