NFL executives share gloomy outlook about Buccaneers' offseason

Other than the controversial decision to retain head coach Todd Bowles, the most noteworthy parts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offseason may have involved the departures of wide receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David and cornerback Jamel Dean.

Evans signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, while Dean joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency. As for David, the team leader who had featured for the Buccaneers since the 2012 draft rode off into the sunset of retirement. 

For a piece published on Friday, The Athletic's Mike Sando spoke with unnamed NFL executives who shared some gloomy outlooks regarding how the Buccaneers have changed since the end of the 2025 season. 

Mike Evans departure "an indictment on" the Buccaneers' direction?

"Losing Mike Evans is huge, and the fact that he left for what he perceived to be a closer contender, and for less money, seems like an indictment on the direction in Tampa," one executive said about the Buccaneers. "Lavonte David was more veteran presence but starting to become a liability in coverage." 

As that executive referenced, the perception exists that Evans left some money on the table by signing with a 49ers team he believes has a better shot at competing for a Super Bowl championship than do the Buccaneers under Bowles' leadership. Additionally, Tampa Bay essentially replaced running back Rachaad White with underwhelming option Kenneth Gainwell. 

Buccaneers "have definitely taken a step back" since 2025 collapse?

"Everything they did was kind of a wash," one executive noted about the Buccaneers. A different said that he doesn't "know how [the Bucs] are better" after they endured a brutal collapse that involved going from 6-2 to 8-9 en route to missing out on the playoffs this past January. 

"They have definitely taken a step back," the second executive added about the Buccaneers.  

If nothing else, Bowles seems confident that such takes will give quarterback Baker Mayfield extra motivation to prove doubters wrong later this year. That said, Bowles could find himself looking for a new job come January 2027 if the executives are right about the Buccaneers going in the wrong direction this offseason.