Evans Chose Ego Over His Buccaneers Legacy

Monday was the first day of NFL free agency. It is the start of the legal tampering period where teams can negotiate and agree to contracts although they can’t sign those contracts until later this week. It is one of the most interesting and active days on the NFL calendar. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the biggest teams of discussion on Monday. They re-signed starting tight end Cade Otton. They also agreed to terms with running back Kenneth Gainwell and linebacker Alex Anzalone. In some ways, it was a very good day. 

Unfortunately, the biggest piece of news was bad for the Bucs. Twelve year veteran and future Hall of Famer Mike Evans had spent his entire career in Tampa….until today. He agreed to a three year deal with the San Francisco 49ers and will officially be playing for another team next year.

For us fans, this is devastating. Evans has meant so much to the team, both on and off the field. He is one of the greatest players in franchise history and it’s incredibly disappointing that he won’t be a Buc for life.

Blame Game

This has made many fans upset to the point where they are looking for someone to blame. 

Maybe head coach Todd Bowles wasn’t good enough for Evans. Perhaps quarterback Baker Mayfield was too inconsistent. Or that Evans didn’t believe in the direction of the team that general manager Jason Licht has built. However, there is only one person who should be blamed for this outcome.

That person is Mike Evans.

In the statement made by Evans’ agent it was confirmed that the Bucs were “extremely aggressive in their pursuit and presented a very strong offer”. The organization wanted him back, but It was his choice to leave and go elsewhere. Evans chose ego over his Buccaneers legacy.

What I mean by that is very simple. Evans is chasing history. He is just under 1,300 yards from cracking the top ten all time in receiving yards. He’s also 20 touchdowns away from being in the top five all time in receiving touchdowns. Those numbers are very obtainable over the next three years with the level Evans is currently playing at.

Keep in mind that this is someone who has always respected the history of the game. What it means for him to tie Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000 yard receiving seasons and to be in the top ten all time in receiving touchdowns can’t be overstated. Evans compares himself and is chasing the all time legends of NFL history.

Sadly, this came at the expense of the Buccaneers. There is no doubt in my mind that Evans is going to a better situation to reach those milestones. He now will play for Kyle Shanahan who is one of the best offensive minds in the game. He also has fewer play makers around him, which means he will be more of the focal point in the passing game.

That doesn’t make it any easier for Bucs fans. There is something special about a player who spends their entire career with one team. Guys like Derrick Brooks, Ronde Barber or Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant; we all wanted Evans to be a guy like that.

That won’t be the case. Evans choose to leave the Bucs and say no to Tampa. So what do I, as a Bucs fan, have to say to him?

Thank You

Thank you for over a decade of jaw dropping moments, thank you for helping deliver a Super Bowl championship, thank you for the countless things you have done for the community.

Even though Evans decided to turn the Bucs down, that shouldn’t change anybody’s opinion of him. This is still someone who gave everything to this team and this fanbase. One of the greatest players in franchise history and someone who will go into the Hall of Fame with the Buccaneers logo next to his name. 

Evans has been so selfless over his career, he deserves to put himself first and chase history. I am disappointed that Evans chose ego over his Buccaneers legacy, but I can respect why. He said no to Tampa and put himself first and that’s okay.