December 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reacts for a touchdown during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Image Mike Evans is leaving Tampa after completing his entire 12-year career with the Buccaneers.
Evans reportedly signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple reports Monday.
“It’s never easy to say goodbye to a legend like Mike Evans, but today we are filled with gratitude and gratitude for all he did during his extraordinary 12-year career as a Buccaneer,” the Buccaneers posted on social media Monday.
Buccaneers and Evans agent Deryk Gilmore cited the 32-year-old’s desire for a “new challenge” as a key motivating factor in the move, which cannot be made official until Wednesday, the first day of the 2026 league year.
According to ESPN, agent Deryk Gilmore said in a statement, “The Buccaneers have made it clear that they would have wanted Mike to finish his career in Tampa and become the fourth player in franchise history to spend his entire career with the Buccaneers and ultimately represent the organization in Canton.”
“Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money. The Buccaneers were very aggressive and made a very strong offer, showing how much they value him and everything he means to the franchise. Ultimately, this decision was just about Mike wanting a new challenge and a new opportunity while we believe he still has a lot left to give to the game.”
The Buccaneers selected Evans with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 draft. He was a key figure on Tom Brady’s team that won the Super Bowl after the 2020 season.
“Tampa Bay will always be a special place for Mike Evans, and his respect and appreciation for the organization and its fans will never change,” Gilmore said in a statement.
After surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons, Evans had just 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns in eight games last year. He missed three games with a hamstring injury and six with a fractured collarbone, but returned in the final month of the season.
The Texas A&M product just completed a two-year contract with an average annual salary of $20.5 million.
In 176 career games (175 starts), Evans recorded 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 touchdowns. He holds Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in scoring (662 points) as well as all three categories.
“He leaves as one of the greatest offensive players in franchise history (a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion), but it was his commitment to making a difference off the field that will define his lasting legacy in our community,” the Bucs statement said.
–Field level media
