Tampa Bay Buccaneers legendary wide receiver Mike Evans has future Hall of Famer written all over him and will always be a beloved Bucs icon no matter what, but he really surprised fans this offseason not just by leaving the Bucs but by how he left the Bucs.
Evans seemed to talk smack about the fans on the way out. Disliking the organization, Todd Bowles, the Glazers, or any number of things would have been more than legitimate gripes upon his exit, but Evans seemed to knock the fans and the atmosphere after choosing to join another NFC playoff contender in the San Francisco 49ers. Buccaneers fans will never truly turn on Evans, but that unnecessary move had to have left a sour taste in the mouths of the fan base.
The Bucs will miss Evans, but with Chris Godwin Jr. leading a young wide receiver corps that includes 2025 first round pick Emeka Egbuka, 2026 third round pick Ted Hurst, and 2024 third round selection Jalen McMillan, Tampa Bay will like their chances of being even more well rounded for Baker Mayfield.
Mike Evans is impressing in the other Bay Area
Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers faithful will not be outright rooting against Mike Evans this season, they will not exactly be rooting for him, given the San Francisco 49ers are a potentail playoff rival for the Buccaneers in 2027.
So the Bucs won't want to see Evans have an even better 2026 season and make the Bucs regret losing him that much more. But based on what 49ers superstar tight end George Kittle is saying, perhaps the Buccaneers have to really watch out for a huge rebound season from the former Texas A&M first round pick.
In an appearance on Up and Adams with Kay Adams, Kittle revealed that Evans is absolutely turning heads in the early 49ers practice sessions this offseason, "Everybody's getting cooked by Mike [Evans]"
49ers fans, players, and beat writers are already raving about Evans, and while the praise for the ultra professional wide receiver is not surprising, it does not hurt any less. Evans, even with the injuries last season, was still obviously incredible, and Buccaneers fans saw a huge difference in the offense with and without Baker Mayfield's most reliable target.
So it is going to be tough for Mayfield and the Bucs in the early going to adjust, just as Brock Purdy and the Niners are going to love watching Evans when he cooks opponents. The Bucs had better hope their young wideouts, especially Emeka Egbuka in Year 2, are game.
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