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Mike Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team he has built a Hall of Fame resume with over the past 12 NFL seasons, for the San Francisco 49ers.
Evans reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal with San Francisco worth $60.4 million, per ESPN.
The Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers, released a statement following Evans’ decision to seek a new challenge outside of Tampa Bay.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans warms up before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins on December 28, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL (Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire)
“Saying goodbye to a legend like Mike Evans is never easy, but today we are filled with appreciation and gratitude for everything he did during his extraordinary 12-year career as a Buccaneer,” the statement read. “Our goal was always to ensure that Mike would play his entire career as a Buccaneer, but as we got further into the process, it became clear that he was looking for a new challenge.
“He leaves as the most accomplished offensive player in franchise history – a six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion – but it was his dedication to making a difference off the field that will define his lasting legacy in our community. We wish Mike continued success in his next chapter and thank him for all he has done for the Buccaneers and Tampa Bay.”
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The statement concluded by saying the family and team look forward to honoring Evans to “celebrate his eventual Hall of Fame career.”
Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, released a statement on his client’s behalf after making the decision.
“After twelve remarkable seasons in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans felt the desire to challenge himself with a new chapter in the final phase of his career,” Gilmore told ESPN. “Throughout his career he has pushed himself to grow, compete and develop as a player and this decision reflects that same mindset.
Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leaves the field at halftime during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“Mike has tremendous love and respect for the Buccaneers organization, the Glazer family, the coaches, his teammates and especially the Tampa Bay fans who have supported him since the day he was drafted. Tampa will always be home to him and he is deeply proud of all they have accomplished together.”
Gilmore added that the Bucs “made it clear that they would have loved for Mike to finish his career in Tampa,” where he would have been just the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career in Tampa Bay.
“Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money,” Gilmore added. “The Buccaneers were extremely aggressive in their pursuit and presented a very strong offer that demonstrated how much they value him and all that he has meant to the franchise.”
As the Glazers’ statement mentions, Evans reset the Buccaneers’ records, tallying 13,052 receiving yards and 108 receiving touchdowns since being taken seventh overall out of Texas A&M in the 2014 NFL Draft. He also had at least 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons with the Bucs, with the streak ending last season due to multiple injuries that forced him to miss nine games.
Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during the second quarter of the NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
Now Evans joins a Kyle Shanahan-run offense that was always expected to add a wide receiver this offseason. Evans immediately fills in as Brock Purdy’s top pass-catching option, and more moves could come with Jauan Jennings also in free agency.
For the Buccaneers, they have made moves in recent seasons to bolster their wide receivers, including first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, drafted out of Ohio State in 2025. He had a red-hot start to his rookie season before cooling off a bit. Jalen McMillan was a factor when he returned healthy last season, and veteran Chris Godwin is also a credible target for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
