Does Buccaneers ownership have any regrets about not doing more to hold onto 49ers' Mike Evans?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles acknowledged earlier this week that longtime Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans signing a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency was "tough" for Bowles "and everybody else involved." 

Back in 2024, the Buccaneers and Evans agreed to a two-year contract before he hit the open market. During a recent conversation with the JoeBucsFan website, Buccaneers co-owner Joel Glazer was asked if he regretted that the club didn't do more to hold onto Evans either a couple of years ago or this offseason. 

Why Buccaneers have no Mike Evans regrets

"No," Glazer directly responded. "You can’t look back and woulda-coulda-shoulda — this and that. And the end of the day after [12] years, and everything Mike’s done for us, ultimately, you want Mike to do what’s best for him because he gave us his all for all these years. And he’s not the first great player to leave a franchise and move on to another franchise. He won’t be the last. That’s the National Football League. He’s entitled to have a new experience in his life. People do it in all walks of life, and for him and his family, we wish him nothing but the best." 

The Buccaneers could have retained Evans' rights for the 2026 season via the franchise tag, but general manager Jason Licht insisted in February that the 32-year-old had "earned the right to" test the open market. It has since been suggested that Evans simply no longer viewed the Buccaneers as a legitimate Super Bowl contender, so much so that he allegedly left some money on the table to sign with the Niners. 

Joel Glazer sends a message to Buccaneers fans about Mike Evans' departure

Glazer was asked if he had a message for Buccaneers fans who are understandably upset that Evans, who had played only for Tampa Bay since the 2014 draft, now has a new NFL home. 

"I would say we were fortunate to have Mike in our organization," Glazer explained. "Not many organizations and franchises get the pleasure of watching a Hall of Fame player for that long on one team. But at the end of the day, you know, each player gets to make their own choice, and that’s for him and his family. And for Mike, he felt this was what was right for him, and we wish him nothing but the best. He’s a great Buccaneer. He will always be a great Buccaneer. We’re obviously sorry to see him go, but respect what was best for him."

Glazer may feel differently about the situation if that "best" involves Evans helping the 49ers defeat the Buccaneers in a playoff game. Then again, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield may feel he has something extra to prove if he sees a San Francisco defense on the field for a postseason showdown in January 2027.