It’s been an emotionally challenging offseason for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans, with two franchise legends leaving the team.
Lavonte David announced his retirement after 14 years while Mike Evans opted to leave after 12 years and sign with the San Francisco 49ers.
Evans’ departure has been an especially tough pill to swallow, but a trio of franchise legends just put things in perspective and helped soften the blow for Bucs fans.
Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, and Mike Alstott open up about Mike Evans leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks, and Mike Alstott were recently interviewed, and of course, Evans came up as a topic.
All three of those players spent the entirety of their careers with the Buccaneers, so they can speak on the topic better than most.
WATCH: "Everybody will forget it when he is announced in the Hall of Fame as a Buccaneer."
— Mark Skol, Jr. (@markskoljrTV) May 29, 2026
Ronde Barber, Derrick Brooks and Mike Alstott played for the #Bucs their entire careers.
While they wish Mike Evans stayed in Tampa like them, they are glad he will team up w/John Lynch. pic.twitter.com/TgSefmvXmK
Barber got honest about hitting the open market during his career and having the chance to leave, but never wanting to leave Tampa due to his love for the city and franchise.
Brooks takes solace in the fact that at least Evans is at least teaming up with Buccaneers legend John Lynch, who is the general manager in San Francisco.
Both Barber and Brooks, while disappointed that Evans is no longer in Tampa Bay, made it clear that they respect his decision to do what he felt was best for his career and family.
Alstott closed things out with the best quote of all.
“Everybody will forget it when he’s announced in the Hall of Fame as a Buccaneer. I mean when it’s all said and done, nobody is going to remember his next three years,” said Alstott. “Mike Evans is a Buc for life and he’s a legend here so again, we’ve just gotta respect his decision.”
Alstott’s comments definitely help to soften the blow, as much as it stings to lose Evans. It’s true that when his legendary career comes to an end, he’ll be inducted into Canton as a Buccaneer, and that’s how he’ll be remembered.
He had a historic tenure in Tampa Bay, including an NFL-record 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin this career.
Evans still has a lot of good football in the tank, but the peak of his career, including a Super Bowl championship, took place with the Buccaneers. That’s the way fans will remember him when it’s all said and done, and Bucs fans can take solace in that fact.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!
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