Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Surprising detail about Mike Evans leaving Buccaneers emerges

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 3:36 PM ET

Mike Evans was seemingly more than ready to move on from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers based on what general manager Jason Licht revealed about his departure.

Licht addressed Evans’ decision to leave the Buccaneers for the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday, stating that he felt Evans was simply ready for a “new challenge.” In fact, Licht said the Buccaneers had offered Evans more money than the 49ers ultimately did, but it did not matter to the wide receiver.

Jason Licht on Mike Evans leaving for the 49ers. “I feel like we did everything we could. I had a lot of talks with Mike about that,” Licht said. He added the Bucs offer was actually for more money.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 18, 2026

Evans’ deal with the 49ers could be worth roughly $20 million per year, so the Buccaneers certainly did not go the cheap route. Evans himself even said the decision to leave had nothing to do with the money.

The 49ers will give Evans the opportunity to be a No. 1 wide receiver on a Super Bowl contender. The chance to play for an offensive mind like Kyle Shanahan would also have been appealing for him.

Evans departs as one of the most accomplished players in Bucs history, with 13,052 receiving yards and 108 touchdowns to his name. He was also part of the team’s Super Bowl championship in 2020.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: