Raise The Flags documentary star and Bucs co-owner Joel Glazer.

San Francisco 49ers receiver Mike Evans is a guy the Bucs wanted and somewhat expected to be on their 2026 roster.

In Phoenix on Monday, Joe talked to Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer about the big fish that got away.

Yeah, Team Glazer already issued a short statement on Evans moving on a few weeks ago but there were questions needed for clarification.

JoeBucsFan.com: Mike Evans, you wanted him [with the Bucs] this year. Everyone has been open about that. And you didn’t get what you wanted. What’s your message to fans on that situation?

Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer: I would say we were fortunate to have Mike in our organization; not many organzations and franchises get the pleasure of watching a Hall of Fame player for that long on one team. But at the end of the day, you know, each player gets to make their own choice, and that’s for him and his family. And for Mike, he felt this was what was right for him and we wish him nothing but the best. He’s a great Buccaneer. He will always be a great Buccaneer. We’re obviously sorry to see him go but respect what was best for him.

JoeBucsFan.com: Are there any regrets that maybe instead of a two-year deal his last contract should have been three [years]? Or you could have franchised him or figured it out? It’s a big deal. He’s a franchise legend.

Joel Glazer: No. You can’t look back and woulda-coulda-shoulda — this and that. And the end of the day after [12] years, and everything Mike’s done for us, ultimately you want Mike to do what’s best for him because he gave us his all for all these years. And he’s not the first great player to leave a franchise and move on to another franchise. He won’t be the last. That’s the National Football League. He’s entitled to have a new experience in his life. People do it in all walks of life, and for him and his family, we wish him nothing but the best.

Joe wishes Evans the best, too. But what does “the best” mean?

Evans won a Super Bowl and already is a Hall of Fame player with a few iconic stats to his name, so Joe sees no reason to play Evans cheerleader after he sprinted away from Tampa Bay like a dude running out of Publix with unpaid crab legs.

Stay healthy, Mike, and have fun if/when the 49ers revert back to the six-win team they were with a healthy Brock Purdy in 2024.