March 13, 2026, 5:02 p.m. ET
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans is beginning the next chapter of his career on the West Coast. Speaking about his decision to join the San Francisco 49ers, Evans acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Tampa Bay while explaining why the move made sense for him.
According to a post shared on X by Vic Tafur, Evans said, “It was always going to be hard to leave Tampa … but football-wise this was the best place for me.”
Despite receiving a “more lucrative deal” from Tampa Bay, the future Hall of Fame wideout chose to pick it up and move across the USA to Santa Clara. “Evans said the 49ers were “one piece away” and that he firmly believes “I’m that piece.”
Evans spent more than a decade with the Buccaneers, becoming one of the most productive receivers in franchise history. His move to San Francisco came during the recent 2026 free agency period, where he reportedly agreed to a three-year contract worth up to $60.4 million, with an average value of roughly $20 million per season, according to contract information tracked by Spotrac.
With Evans now in San Francisco, Tampa Bay’s wide receiver room will look much different heading into the upcoming season. The Buccaneers’ current depth chart features Jalen McMillan at left wide receiver, Emeka Egbuka at right wide receiver, and Chris Godwin Jr. in the slot. Kameron Johnson, Jaden Smith, Tez Johnson, and Sterling Shepard currently round out the rest of the group.
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Evans leaves behind a major legacy in Tampa Bay, while the Buccaneers now turn to their younger receivers to carry the workload going forward. Evans leaves Tampa Bay as one of the most accomplished players in franchise history, finishing his Buccaneers career with 866 receptions, 13,052 receiving yards, and 108 touchdowns across 12 seasons.