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Mike Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the team with which he built his Hall of Fame record over the past 12 NFL seasons, for the San Francisco 49ers.
Evans has reportedly agreed to terms on a three-year deal with San Francisco worth $60.4 million, according to ESPN.
The Glazer family, owners of the Buccaneers, released a statement after Evans’ decision to find 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, Florida. (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 all he did during his extraordinary 12-year Buccaneer career,” the statement read. “Our goal was always to ensure that Mike would play his entire career as a Buccaneer, but as we progressed through the process, it became clear that he was looking for a new challenge.
“He remains the most accomplished offensive player in franchise history – a six-time Pro Bowl player and Super Bowl champion – but it is 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 ends 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 stage of his career,” Gilmore said, according to ESPN. “Throughout his career, he has strived to grow, compete and evolve 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 his home and he is deeply proud of everything they accomplished together.”
Gilmore added that the Bucs “have made it clear that they would have loved to have Mike finish his career in Tampa,” where he would have been only 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, demonstrating how much they value him and everything he means to the franchise.”
As the Glazers’ statement mentions, Evans has reset Buccaneers records, totaling 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 totaled at least 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons with the Bucs, with the streak ending last season due to several injuries that forced him to miss nine games.
Mike Evans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers watches 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 an offense led by Kyle Shanahan, which was always expected to add a wide receiver this offseason. Evans immediately becomes Brock Purdy’s top pass-catching option, and more moves could come with Jauan Jennings also hitting free agency.
For the Buccaneers, they have made moves over the past few seasons to strengthen their wide receivers, including first-round pick Emeka Egbuka drafted out of Ohio State in 2025. He had a hot start to the season before cooling down a bit. Jalen McMillan was a factor in his healthy return last season, and veteran Chris Godwin is also a reliable target for quarterback Baker Mayfield.
