Now that Mike Evans is no longer with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fans and media are wondering how the franchise let their star player go.
During a recent press conference, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht addressed the inevitable questions about Evans’ departure. Licht revealed that he made every effort to keep Evans, even offering him more money than the 49ers. Ultimately, Evans signed a three-year, $60 million deal with San Francisco.
After 11 seasons, it would be easy to understand if some within the organization felt a sting from Evans’ exit, especially as he seemed destined to be a lifelong Buccaneer. However, Licht doesn’t share that sentiment, stating that the star wide receiver had earned the right to make his own choice.
“I don’t feel betrayed,” Licht said, via Rick Stroud. “He earned the right to make the decision…he loves this team. He loves everything about it…I think he wanted a new challenge.”
Licht went on to confirm reports that the Bucs actually offered Evans more money than he ended up signing for with the 49ers.
Licht continued about Evans’ departure,
“I feel like we did everything we could. I had a lot of talks with Mike about that,” Licht stated. He added the Bucs offer was actually for more money.”
Selected seventh overall by the Buccaneers in 2014, Mike Evans became a true icon for the Tampa Bay franchise. He was the picture of reliability, delivering stellar performances season after season, regardless of his teammates. His crowning achievement underscored this consistency: he matched the legendary Jerry Rice’s record for most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, achieving 11 straight years.
Evans was poised to shatter that record in 2025, and honestly, it felt like a real possibility. But last season saw him plagued by injuries, sidelining him for over half the year. He wrapped up his final season with the Buccaneers having played only eight games and accumulated just 368 yards.
The BR Rub
Look, this topic has been spun several ways. But let’s break it down Barney style:
- Evans took less money
- Evans chose a harder division to attempt to reach another Super Bowl
- Evans chose Purdy over Mayfield
- Evans chose Shanahan over Bowles
- Evans chose Lynch over Licht
So was it Baker, or Bowles, or Licht, OR is this more of a quality of the overall organization? Remember, the Glazers haven’t exactly gotten rave reviews on those NFLPA report cards.
The truth is probably a mixture of several of these points. But the reality still is, Evans wasn’t screaming about a blown lead to Mayfield or Licht, it was directed to coach Bowles.
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