The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are celebrating their 50th season of existence. The tributes have been pouring in, even the Buccaneers naming their top 50 players in franchise history, which unsurprisingly ranked Derrick Brooks No. 1. But in this 50th season, the Buccaneers have high expectations to make it back to the Super Bowl and win their third-ever Lombardi Trophy.
General manager Jason Licht had been in the Buccaneers organization since 2014, and has helped build the team into contenders as of late. Of course, his main highlight was the Buccaneers winning Super Bowl 55 in Tom Brady's first year as the quarterback.
While speaking with reporters on Tuesday, Licht was asked what his favorite Buccaneers memory was, and it couldn't be the Super Bowl 55 victory. Licht provided a very unsurprising answer — Mike Evans' last second catch in week 18 to secure his 11th consecutive 1,000 receiving yard season.
Jason Licht was asked for his favorite Bucs memory other than winning a Super Bowl, and without hesitation he says Mike Evans’ catch last year to keep his streak going.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 2, 2025
Jason Licht names Mike Evans' catch to achieve 11 consecutive 1,000 receiving yard season as favorite Buccaneers memory
It's hard not to top that memory, even if it is recency bias. Evans has been the king of consistency in the NFL, having 10 consecutive 1,000 receiving yards seasons. With one more, he would tie Jerry Rice for the most ever. But entering Week 18, Evans had 915 yards to his credit, needing just 85 to reach 1,000. His streak was in danger due in part to missing three games because of a hamstring injury.
The Buccaneers had the ball against the New Orleans Saints, leading 27-19. The Saints had no timeouts left with a chance to kneel the ball down to run out the clock. But Evans was just five yards away from 1,000 receiving yards. So quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a short pass to Evans, who ran nine yards up field to officially secure his 11th 1,000 receiving yard season. Not only is he now tied with Rice for the record, but he also earned a $3 million bonus for the accomplishment.
Instead of kneeling, the Bucs threw to Mike Evans to put him over 1,000 yards receiving—giving him a $3 million bonus.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) January 5, 2025
The team's celebration with him:pic.twitter.com/jpA1kBaDyt
This was a feel-good moment for Evans and the Buccaneers as he continued to solidfy his Hall of Fame case.
This season, Evans has the chance to become the first player to ever record a 1,000 receiving yards in 12 straight campaigns. It's hard to bet against Evans. When he's healthy, it's a guaranteed lock.