The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will not have broad receiver Mike Evans on the roster this season.
Evans, who had spent his complete profession with Tampa Bay since being chosen No. 7 general within the 2014 NFL Draft, signed a three-year, $42.5 million cope with the San Francisco 49ers in free company.
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So, it can take a while for Buccaneers followers to get used to Evans carrying a special jersey than the one he wore for the previous decade.
Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield additionally has to get used to it, and he added it was a disappointing time when Evans signed with the 49ers.
“There’s no way to sugarcoat it. It’s disappointing to not have him back,” Mayfield mentioned, through Michael Baca of NFL.com.
“Just the caliber of player he is, he’s a Hall of Famer, deserved to be a Buc for life. Things happen, but luckily, him and I have a great relationship, we’ll still be friends for life, and I’ll be cheering him on except when we play them, if it comes down to it,” Mayfield added.
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Mayfield went on to rave about veteran Chris Godwin, who ought to assist fill the management function that Evans held for therefore lengthy in Tampa Bay.
“For Mike to leave, it allows Chris to step up — he’s always been an unbelievable leader — but for him to really take charge of that room,” Mayfield mentioned.
Buccaneers Aiming For Playoff Return in 2026
The Buccaneers are coming off an 8-9 season in 2025, which snapped their streak of 5 straight years of creating the playoffs.
The lack of Evans will likely be a tricky one, however the WR room nonetheless consists of Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Tez Johnson and rookie Ted Hurst III, so there are many mouths to feed within the offense.
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It can also be a pivotal yr for Mayfield, who’s within the last season of his three-year, $100 million contract he inked in 2024.
If Mayfield can lead the Buccaneers again to the postseason, that must be an enormous step in direction of his subsequent contract.
Related: Todd Bowles Reveals Buccaneers’ Decision On Future
This story was initially printed by Lindys Sports on Jun 7, 2026, the place it first appeared within the NFL part. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.