Buccaneers GM Jason Licht denies veteran WR Mike Evans signed with 49ers because Tampa Bay offered him less or because of a dispute with coach Todd Bowles.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t have Mike Evans anymore, and naturally, people are wondering why.
It is because the Bucs didn’t offer Evans enough money?
Is it because of head coach Todd Bowles?
Did Evans simply get wooed by another team?
Words from key members of Evans’ old and new organization spoke this week, and their words indicate that Evans simply wanted to try a new challenge.
Bucs GM Jason Licht, who made Evans the first draft pick of his tenure in 2014, told reporters Wednesday that, yes, the Bucs did try hard to keep Evans and, no, Bowles had nothing to do with him leaving.
Licht said that Tampa’s first offer made to Evans was “significantly” higher than what he ended up signing with in San Francisco ($60 million over three years).
“I had a lot of talks with Mike about that,” Licht said. “He and I have a very good relationship. When a player has reached his level for as long as he has, you tend to have deeper discussions with those players.”
Evans’ last season in Tampa Bay ended up being a disappointment both for Evans and for the Bucs.
Evans had injuries that forced him to miss nine games, costing him a fair chance to break Jerry Rice’s record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (both are tied at 11).
The Bucs ended up losing seven of their final nine games, and for the first time this decade, somebody else (the Carolina Panthers) won the NFC South.
A lot of people blamed Bowles for the collapse and then Bowles for Evans leaving, and one game in particular is seen as the poster child for Tampa’s 2025 downfall.
Hosting the Atlanta Falcons on a Thursday night in December, Evans, playing in his first game in almost two months, looked like his best self, ending the night with 132 yards on six catches.
Tampa had a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter and, leading by two in the final minute, had Atlanta's offense on third down and needing 28 yards for another set of downs.
The Falcons ended up getting a first down two plays later and, subsequently, kicked a game-winning field goal.
Video captured Evans repeating the words, "Third and 28," after the game.
But Licht said that letdown in defense didn't lead to Evans leaving Tampa.
“Every team I have been a part of there are instances like that where players get emotional at times where it’s not as public or caught on camera,” Licht said. “(Third-and-28) had zero to do with it.”
Licht’s words back up that Evans went to San Francisco for the opportunity, and the 49ers did check off the boxes that Evans’ camp made clear during his free agency.
Evans wanted to play with an established QB, which the 49ers have in Brock Purdy.
He wanted to play for a team that could win a Super Bowl, which San Francisco has been to this decade and came within two wins of going to this past season.
He wanted to be around a quality offensive mind, and San Francisco has two in head coach Kyle Shanahan and offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak.
San Francisco also has one of the best tight ends of all-time in George Kittle, who helped sway Evans from Tampa Bay to the “City by the Bay.”
“There was basically nothing we could have done differently,” Licht said. “I feel strongly about that.”
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