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The breakup between Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn’t your usual standard, messy roster cut—it was a seismic free-agency departure that completely shocked the franchise.
Even the franchise cornerstones, like quarterback Baker Mayfield, were left in utter shock.
Bucs let their longtime wide receiver go this March after 12 legendary seasons, and Mayfield attested how the news saddened him since he thought Evans deserved to be a “Buc for life.”
"There's no way to sugarcoat it,” Mayfield told reporters after his youth football camp on Friday, “it's disappointing to not have him back.”
Evans choosing a $42 million total offer with the San Francisco 49ers (averaging out to $14 million a year), over Tampa Bay’s aggressive offers, was the real shocker in the Bucs locker room.
Insiders like Adam Schefter reported that the Bucs front office made a "very strong offer" that was reportedly worth well over $20 million per season to stay in Tampa for 2026, and still, Evans chose the lower-paying offer with the Niners.
"Just the caliber of player he is -- he's a Hall of Famer -- I thought he deserved to be a Buc for life. Things happen. But luckily, him and I have a great relationship. [We're] still good friends for life. I'll be cheering him on except when we play them, if it comes down to it."
Mayfield’s comments on Evans particularly stand out in current times because of the mayhem of talks surrounding him and his long-term future with the Bucs.
The talks had been there for quite a while, but Mayfield’s admission about no long-term contract talks being underway right now put the writing on the wall. He may be in free agency after this season.
"We'd love to be here long-term. And as of right now, that's not exactly the case, but I'm under contract for 2026," Mayfield said.
"And the guys in that locker and the staff know that I'm still going to be me. I'm still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl. And to me, that's the priority. Everything else will take care of itself."
But Mayfield is averaging $33.33 million per season -- 16th in the league in terms of quarterback pay per ESPN.
The Bucs fans are officially in a frenzy too, discussing every possibility were Tamps Bay to part ways with Mayfield.
Mayfield mentioned long-term security and a future with the Bucs being his top-most priority as of now.
"I think first and foremost, regardless -- we've built roots here in Tampa. We love the community. We love to be here. They've embraced us, and we enjoy being here and obviously going to raise kids here. But yeah, contract stuff -- it's happening, it's starting, the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what we were thinking."
With the deadline looming over Tampa, the front office might or might not make an announcement soon, and it will tell a lot about their future plans for the franchise.
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Continue reading...
Even the franchise cornerstones, like quarterback Baker Mayfield, were left in utter shock.
Bucs let their longtime wide receiver go this March after 12 legendary seasons, and Mayfield attested how the news saddened him since he thought Evans deserved to be a “Buc for life.”
"There's no way to sugarcoat it,” Mayfield told reporters after his youth football camp on Friday, “it's disappointing to not have him back.”
Evans choosing a $42 million total offer with the San Francisco 49ers (averaging out to $14 million a year), over Tampa Bay’s aggressive offers, was the real shocker in the Bucs locker room.
Insiders like Adam Schefter reported that the Bucs front office made a "very strong offer" that was reportedly worth well over $20 million per season to stay in Tampa for 2026, and still, Evans chose the lower-paying offer with the Niners.
"Just the caliber of player he is -- he's a Hall of Famer -- I thought he deserved to be a Buc for life. Things happen. But luckily, him and I have a great relationship. [We're] still good friends for life. I'll be cheering him on except when we play them, if it comes down to it."
Mayfield’s comments on Evans particularly stand out in current times because of the mayhem of talks surrounding him and his long-term future with the Bucs.
Baker Mayfield on uncertain future with Tampa Bay Bucs
The talks had been there for quite a while, but Mayfield’s admission about no long-term contract talks being underway right now put the writing on the wall. He may be in free agency after this season.
"We'd love to be here long-term. And as of right now, that's not exactly the case, but I'm under contract for 2026," Mayfield said.
"And the guys in that locker and the staff know that I'm still going to be me. I'm still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl. And to me, that's the priority. Everything else will take care of itself."
But Mayfield is averaging $33.33 million per season -- 16th in the league in terms of quarterback pay per ESPN.
The Bucs fans are officially in a frenzy too, discussing every possibility were Tamps Bay to part ways with Mayfield.
Mayfield mentioned long-term security and a future with the Bucs being his top-most priority as of now.
"I think first and foremost, regardless -- we've built roots here in Tampa. We love the community. We love to be here. They've embraced us, and we enjoy being here and obviously going to raise kids here. But yeah, contract stuff -- it's happening, it's starting, the talks and whatnot, but not anywhere close to what we were thinking."
With the deadline looming over Tampa, the front office might or might not make an announcement soon, and it will tell a lot about their future plans for the franchise.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
