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Mike Evans' time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surprisingly came to an end after 12 years, when the 32-year-old signed a three-year contract to join the San Francisco 49ers in 2026 NFL free agency.
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht addressed Evans' departure for the first time in a March 18 media availability. The executive made it clear that he and the team respected Evans' decision, despite the difficult nature of splitting with the franchise legend.
"I don't feel betrayed," Licht said about Evans leaving, per ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I'm in mourning."
"Mike gave us everything he had for his 12 seasons here and established himself as one of the best players in the league," Licht said. "So to say it again, one of our best players we've ever had – I don't feel betrayed. He earned the right. I said that over and over. He earned the right to make this decision. And sometimes you've got to talk it over with your family and just sometimes you're just ready for another chapter."
Evans finished his time in Tampa Bay as the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (866), receiving yards (13,052) and receiving touchdowns (108). He also made six Pro Bowls, was twice an All-Pro second-teamer, opened his career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl 55 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
That track record of success was one of the many reasons the Buccaneers made a strong effort to keep Evans.
"We made a significantly higher offer [than the 49ers] and that was just the first offer," Licht told reporters.
However, Evans acknowledged in a statement upon signing with the 49ers his decision was "never about money." The statement – which was released by Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore – also backed up Licht's assessment, revealing Tampa Bay was "extremely aggressive" in trying to retain the veteran receiver.
That left Licht feeling good about the Buccaneers' effort in their negotiations with Evans.
"I feel like we did everything we could," Licht said. "I had a lot of talks with Mike about that. He and I have a very good, obviously good relationship, but we talked. … When a player's reached his level for as long as he has, we tend to have deeper discussions with those players, and there was basically nothing we could have done differently. And I feel very strongly about that."
With Evans gone, the Buccaneers will turn to Chris Godwin to serve as their top receiver while relying on a trio of young wide-outs – Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson – to step into larger roles.
Meanwhile, Evans will look to establish himself as a consistent top target for Brock Purdy. He will partner with 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall and help to replace the outgoing trio of Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings.
Licht believes Evans will find success in San Francisco and is looking forward to seeing what the 32-year-old can accomplish as he starts a new chapter of his NFL career.
"I'm just happy for Mike and I'm happy he found a place he wanted to be, and that's being truthful," Licht said. "They're doing their best to put a roster together too."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Evans 49ers contract: Buccaneers' offer surpassed San Francisco bid
Continue reading...
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht addressed Evans' departure for the first time in a March 18 media availability. The executive made it clear that he and the team respected Evans' decision, despite the difficult nature of splitting with the franchise legend.
"I don't feel betrayed," Licht said about Evans leaving, per ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I'm in mourning."
"Mike gave us everything he had for his 12 seasons here and established himself as one of the best players in the league," Licht said. "So to say it again, one of our best players we've ever had – I don't feel betrayed. He earned the right. I said that over and over. He earned the right to make this decision. And sometimes you've got to talk it over with your family and just sometimes you're just ready for another chapter."
Evans finished his time in Tampa Bay as the franchise's all-time leader in receptions (866), receiving yards (13,052) and receiving touchdowns (108). He also made six Pro Bowls, was twice an All-Pro second-teamer, opened his career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and helped lead the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl 55 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
That track record of success was one of the many reasons the Buccaneers made a strong effort to keep Evans.
"We made a significantly higher offer [than the 49ers] and that was just the first offer," Licht told reporters.
However, Evans acknowledged in a statement upon signing with the 49ers his decision was "never about money." The statement – which was released by Evans' agent, Deryk Gilmore – also backed up Licht's assessment, revealing Tampa Bay was "extremely aggressive" in trying to retain the veteran receiver.
That left Licht feeling good about the Buccaneers' effort in their negotiations with Evans.
"I feel like we did everything we could," Licht said. "I had a lot of talks with Mike about that. He and I have a very good, obviously good relationship, but we talked. … When a player's reached his level for as long as he has, we tend to have deeper discussions with those players, and there was basically nothing we could have done differently. And I feel very strongly about that."
With Evans gone, the Buccaneers will turn to Chris Godwin to serve as their top receiver while relying on a trio of young wide-outs – Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan and Tez Johnson – to step into larger roles.
Meanwhile, Evans will look to establish himself as a consistent top target for Brock Purdy. He will partner with 2024 first-round pick Ricky Pearsall and help to replace the outgoing trio of Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne and Jauan Jennings.
Licht believes Evans will find success in San Francisco and is looking forward to seeing what the 32-year-old can accomplish as he starts a new chapter of his NFL career.
"I'm just happy for Mike and I'm happy he found a place he wanted to be, and that's being truthful," Licht said. "They're doing their best to put a roster together too."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mike Evans 49ers contract: Buccaneers' offer surpassed San Francisco bid
Continue reading...
