Responding to reporters in a video shared by Jenna Laine on X, Mayfield opened up about the departure. “There’s no way to sugarcoat it — it’s disappointing to not have him back,“ he said, while revealing that he still maintains a great relationship with Evans despite him switching jerseys.

Mayfield noted they will be “good friends for life” when discussing his bond with the former Buccaneers wideout, who spent 12 years with the franchise. Evans was recently praised by his new 49ers teammate George Kittle, who was highly impressed after watching him showcase his skills during organized team activities (OTAs).

Can the Buccaneers survive without Evans?

The Buccaneers wide receiver room still features plenty of talent ahead of the 2026 NFL season, ensuring Mayfield will have reliable hands ready to catch his passes. However, losing Evans means losing a career 15.1 yards-per-reception average and a consistent deep threat, which could impact the team’s offensive production this year.

Evans endured an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, marking the first time in his 12 years with the Buccaneers that he appeared in fewer than 10 games in a single NFL season. His durability over more than a decade was unmatched, frequently playing through pain to post 11 consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.

While the 49ers are adding an elite weapon to their arsenal, the Buccaneers now have to figure out how to replace that historic production. Expecting the offense to click perfectly right away without him is a risky bet, as the younger receivers will have to step up with far less experience and veteran guidance in the room.

So far, what Kittle has seen from Evans is impressive. During a recent press conference, the tight end revealed how sharp the new wide receiver looked during organized team activities (OTAs), saying, “If you look back at the 49ers, this is like the first legit veteran wide receiver I’ve had on my roster since Emmanuel Sanders in 2019, in my opinion… Just to see him run routes and the way that he sees things, it’s just so fun.“

What really caught the attention of reporters, however, was Kittle emphasizing that Evans could give the 49ers a special element the team has lacked for years. “Mike just brings a whole new thing,” Kittle added. “You guys weren’t here for red zone. I think he had three to five touchdowns the first day. He’s incredible.“

Is Mike Evans good enough for the 49ers?

Evans is a seasoned veteran just like Kittle, but with even more mileage in the NFL. Having played in the league since 2014, he is entering his 13th season as a wide receiver. Before making the move to the Bay Area, he played exclusively for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl and earning six Pro Bowl selections.

Now with a new team, things change a bit for him. He has new teammates, a new head coach, and a younger quarterback. This transition could offer him a fresh spark, while Evans’ elite expertise provides a major boost for Brock Purdy, who benefits immensely from having another top-tier weapon on the outside.

During his final NFL season with Tampa Bay, Evans was limited to just eight games due to injury. Now fully healthy, the 49ers will look to see if he is in peak shape during the opening weeks of the upcoming 2026 season and if he can continue to produce close to his stellar 15.1 career yards-per-reception average.

“They’re talented,” Bowles said via nbcsports.com. “We know they’ve got a lot of talent right there. Any time you lose a player like that, or any player that was legendary on their team, different guys got to come in and step up. That’s the nature of sports, and I’m sure we have some guys in that room that will.”

Not only from a statistical standpoint, but also because of the leadership Evans represented for the Buccaneers, he will be difficult to replace. It will be up to coach Bowles to find a way to fill that void, relying on big names such as Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. to get the job done.

Mike Evans’ legacy in Tampa Bay

During his legendary 12-year run in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans wasn’t just a reliable target; he completely rewrote the franchise record books as the ultimate model of consistency. The guy walked into the league and immediately dropped 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons right out of the gate—an NFL record to start a career and a streak tied with the legendary Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons ever.

In his 176 regular-season games with the Bucs, he racked up a staggering 866 receptions, 13,052 receiving yards, and 108 touchdown catches, utterly dominating the team’s all-time receiving leaderboards. He capped off his incredible legacy as a core piece of the Super Bowl LV championship squad, forever cementing his status as a Tampa Bay icon, a lock for the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, and a future Hall of Famer.

Todd Bowles trusts his wide receivers

If they can stay healthy, it is clear that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receiving corps is one of the best and most solid in the NFC. Todd Bowles knows he has plenty of talent at his disposal, and he spoke highly of the work Jalen McMillan has done this offseason.

“Jalen’s tough. His mental toughness is unbelievable,” the head coach said. “His competitiveness, the way he attacks the ball, the way he fights for every route and wants to get open and be that guy, that gives you a lot of confidence.”

Evans hit the open market as a free agent following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Although several teams expressed interest in his services, he chose to remain in the NFC to suit up for the Niners.

The Buccaneers have stated they do not feel betrayed by Evans’ decision. However, the front office has made it clear that they did everything within their power to retain the talented wideout.

“He means everything to me,” general manager Jason Licht said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, “but he means everything to the entire organization. Obviously, he’s the best offensive player we’ve ever had and an even better person than he is a player. So, it’s always tough. That one was really tough. . . . We made a significantly higher offer, and that was just the first offer. It became pretty clear that he and his family were just ready, like he said publicly, for another chapter.”

Mike Evans will be crucial for Brock Purdy

With the arrival of Mike Evans, the 49ers gain a new WR1 as Brandon Aiyuk appears set to depart the club. A veteran of Evans’ caliber should be instrumental in bolstering an offense led by quarterback Brock Purdy.

Evans has spent 12 years in the NFL, and in 11 of those seasons, he managed to secure at least 1,000 receiving yards. If he can stay healthy, the Niners may have finally found the missing piece for a championship run.

With Evans listed as the top target, Ricky Pearsall moves into the WR2 role, while newcomer Christian Kirk slides in as WR3. This creates a formidable group that could provide Purdy with exactly what he needs to dominate the NFC West.

Will the 49ers release Brandon Aiyuk?

The situation involving Brandon Aiyuk remains one of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the 49ers. The wide receiver is reportedly expected to be released, as he no longer appears to fit into coach Kyle Shanahan’s long-term plans.

In 2025, reports surfaced that Aiyuk was not committed to the team’s rehabilitation program, preferring to handle his recovery independently. This created a rift between the player and the organization, ultimately leading to his impending exit.

“I don’t feel betrayed,” the GM said, via the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. “He earned the right to make the decision… he loves this team. He loves everything about it… I think he wanted a new challenge.”

Evans gave the Bucs his all, even winning a Super Bowl alongside Tom Brady. Can Tampa Bay move forward without one of its biggest leaders?

Evans’ legacy in Tampa Bay

Mike Evans leaves an unparalleled legacy in Tampa Bay after joining the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year deal signed in March 2026.

Since being drafted 7th overall in 2014, Evans spent 12 legendary seasons with the Buccaneers, becoming the first player in NFL history to record 1,000+ receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons.

He departs as the franchise’s all-time leader in every major receiving category, boasting career totals of 866 receptions, 13,052 yards, and 108 touchdowns, cementing his status as a future Hall of Famer and a Super Bowl LV champion.

Bucs’ plans to replace Evans

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season with a transformed wide receiver depth chart, after Evans departure.

The starting unit is led by Emeka Egbuka, a 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist who recorded 938 yards and 6 touchdowns, alongside the explosive Jalen McMillan and veteran leader Chris Godwin Jr., who remains a focal point of the offense despite recent injury setbacks.

Providing depth are Dennis Houston, specialized speedster Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson, while young developmental talents Jaden Smith and the versatile Garrett Greene round out the bottom of the rotation as they compete for roster spots in training camp.

The rest of the 49ers depth chart is made up of Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and Junior Bergen, while slightly further back are Malik Turner and Colton Dowell.

In the Bay, they want to move past last season, where injuries—many of them serious—were the common denominator. Brock Purdy now has elite key weapons ahead of what’s to come.

Evans emerges as WR1

Mike Evans recently joined the San Francisco 49ers as the new WR1 after signing a three-year, $60.4 million contract. Following a short 2025 season where he posted 368 yards and 30 catches in eight games, the veteran provides Brock Purdy with a massive 6’5″ target and a dominant red-zone presence.

Kirk’s numbers in Houston

During his 2025 campaign with the Houston Texans, Christian Kirk appeared in 13 games, primarily serving as a reliable slot option in CJ Stroud’s offense. While his overall production dipped compared to his peak years in Jacksonville, he finished the regular season with 28 receptions for 239 yards and one touchdown, though he truly shined in the postseason with a massive 144-yard, 1-touchdown performance against the Steelers in the Wild Card round.

Improving the passing attack

Kyle Shanahan must revitalize the 49ers’ passing attack after a regression in 2025 that saw the team drop to 21st in passing yards per game. Despite Brock Purdy’s efficiency, the air game struggled with consistency, averaging only 212 yards through the air and failing to capitalize on deep-ball opportunities during crucial divisional matchups.

It’s hard to argue with him. Evans is by far and away the best receiver the 49ers will have in quite some time. Evans also explained his decision to leave Tampa Bay a few days ago.

Evans is also a massive red zone threat, as he is just taller, stronger, and skillful than any other wideout on the roster. In fact, even at his age (he will enter the 2026 season with 33), he has showed no signs of slowing down. He only had 368 yards last year, but played less than half a season due to a broken clavicle. This was the first time in his 12-year-career that he didn’t reach 1,000 receiving yards.

Brock Purdy will cherish throwing the ball to Evans

Brock Purdy has had quite the story. He was Mr. Irrelevant in 2022, ended up earning the starting spot on the 49ers, being a Pro Bowler and fourth in the MVP voting in 2023. He has guided the 49ers to the Super Bowl and now, despite only playing nine games in 2025, he had a 7-2 record.

Purdy has never had a WR as accomplished as Evans. As of now, Brandon Aiyuk is the receiver that has the most yards with Brock Purdy. He has 2,214 yards, but Aiyuk and the 49ers relationship is broke and he is likely to get released. Deebo Samuel had 1,760 but he left the team, and Jauan Jennings has 1,723 yards caught from Purdy’s passes, however he is a free agent. Hence, Evans is entering a WR room desperate for production.

The 49ers have three elite veterans in the skill positions

Christian McCaffrey is a veteran, but he is still one of the best running backs in the NFL. The same applies for George Kittle, who is still a top-tier tight end in the league. Now, Evans joins the club of ‘old-but-gold‘ players on the Niners. Also on that club, but not in a skill position, left tackle Trent Williams is still a force to be reckoned with as he is one of the best linemen of all time.

Having said that, George Kittle is still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered back in January. It remains to be seen if he will be able to recover before the season starts or not. Still, the 49ers have a good contingency plan in Jake Tonges, just in case Kittle takes more time to recover.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the 49ers are giving a two-year, $12 million max value deal to offensive tackle Vederian Lowe. The former Drake Maye teammate will earn $5.75 million guaranteed.

Lowe played all 17 games last season, though he only started four of those. However, during the 2024 season, he started 13/14 games. Hence, he’s had starting quality.

Lowe is a key, depth-providing addition for the 49ers

For a team who is constantly battling injuries, especially in the offensive line, having Lowe on the roster will bring security and depth. Lowe can line up on both sides of the line of scrimmage for the 49ers.

In 2024, All Pro left tackle Trent Williams played just 10 games. Last year, he played 16 while earning another Pro Bowl selection despite being banged up for a couple of games. Lowe, could provide a safety blanket in case anything happens to him, or to right tackle Colton McKivitz.

Evans provides production, Lowe allows it

Mike Evans is one of the best wideouts in recent NFL history, but for him to produce, the quarterback must find him. For Brock Purdy to find him, he must have time and be protected. Lowe is that. Offensive linemen are like QB bodyguards. Without them, even the best QBs or the top-tier WRs see how their numbers go down.

Kyle Shanahan knows this, he’s seen it when the 49ers linemen fall to injuries. Now, the team is ensuring that the O-line is well covered in case injuries attack. Lowe is an experienced, versatile tackle. Also, he is just 26 years old.

“Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was never about money,” a statement from Evans’ agent Deryk Gilmore read. “In the end, this decision simply came down to Mike wanting a new challenge and a fresh opportunity while he still feels he has a great deal left to give the game.”

The statement painted a clear picture on the motivations behind Evans’ career-altering decision to leave the Buccaneers. Many believed Evans would be a one-club team in his NFL journey, but that will no longer be the case. Instead, he is now headed to San Fran, where he vies to chase another Super Bowl ring with the 49ers.

The 49ers’ updated wide receiver depth chart is one that excites fans in “The Bay”, as Brock Purdy will welcome in yet another reliable target. For San Francisco, the sky has felt like the limit for a while. However, it always comes down to whether the Niners can stay healthy, and that remains a pending task for Kyle Shanahan’s side.

Evans gets fresh start

Following a disappointing 2025 NFL season, Evans is embracing the winds of change and a new chapter in San Francisco. Evans missed nine games last campaign and watched his streak of 1,000 receiving yards per season come to an end in disheartening fashion.

In 2025, Evans registered career lows in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns, with 61, 30, 368, and 3, respectively. While hindered by injuries, even if he had played all 17 games for the Buccaneers, Evans’ numbers were projected to be the lowest of his career.

Needless to say, the 49ers believe last season was a fluke and Evans can re-connect with his best football as he joins the organization in San Fran.

In this way, Evans joins an interesting wide receiver corps for Brock Purdy. The group currently includes Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing. Players like Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are now free agents.

On the other hand, the Bucs are somewhat depleted without their top star, also hampered by injuries. Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr., Kameron Johnson, Tez Johnson, and Jaden Smith make up the depth chart in Tampa Bay.

Significant earnings for Evans

The San Francisco 49ers have reached an agreement with future Hall of Famer Mike Evans on a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million. The 32-year-old receiver joins Kyle Shanahan’s offense to provide a massive red-zone target for Brock Purdy.

The contract, which averages roughly $20.1 million per year, solidifies Evans as the team’s highest-paid wideout as they prepare to transition away from Brandon Aiyuk.

Evans’ 2025 stats

In his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike Evans recorded 30 receptions for 368 yards and 3 touchdowns across 8 games during the 2025 campaign.

While his season was shortened by injury, he continued to display his signature efficiency as a vertical threat, averaging 12.3 yards per catch. His standout performance came in Week 15 against the Falcons, where he exploded for 132 receiving yards on six catches, proving he remains one of the league’s most dangerous targets as he transitions to the San Francisco 49ers.

Speaking to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Godwin said, “I can’t imagine talking to him on a different field and seeing him in a different jersey… he is my brother.“ Godwin and Evans go way back. However, all good things must end and with Evans departing, the big-time Super Bowl-winning duo will no longer torment opposing defenses.

Last season, both suffered serious injuries. Godwin with a fibula injury, and Evans a fractured clavicle. Hence, they didn’t spend much time together on the field last year. That is one of the main reasons of why the Bucs weren’t as explosive as they used to during the 2025 season.

Godwin and Evans were the perfect duo

Godwin and Evans were nearly unstoppable for years. The reason was that they covered every single area of the field. Godwin took the middle of the field and was great in the slot. Meanwhile, Evans went deep and outside the numbers. Both also had safe hands and made unbelievable catches.

While the Bucs have young studs like Emeka Egbuka, Tez Johnson, and Jalen McMillan, Evans will be sorely missed. Not only was he one of the best wideouts in the NFL, but he embodies what being a part of the Buccaneers is. He is a leader and a captain. Godwin words are a testament to that.

Godwin will now become the captain of the Bucs

Evans was a captain, so next time the Bucs are on the field, it’s likely that it will be Godwin the one wearing the “C” on his chest. Also, Godwin will have to step up on the field, as Evans production was very high.