Mike Evans, a prominent wide receiver who spent his entire NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is moving to the San Francisco 49ers following the start of the NFL’s free agency period on March 9, 2026. His departure has sparked notable reactions from Buccaneers teammates, including offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin.
Reactions from Buccaneers Players on Evans’ Exit
Evans agreed to a three-year contract reportedly worth up to $60.4 million with the 49ers, marking the end of a significant chapter with Tampa Bay. Since being drafted out of Texas A&M, Evans has been a mainstay for the Buccaneers, showing remarkable consistency by surpassing 1,000 receiving yards in every season except last, when injuries limited him to eight games.
Over 12 seasons, Evans caught 866 passes for 13,052 yards and scored 108 touchdowns. In postseason play, he recorded 52 receptions, 801 yards, and six touchdowns across 10 games and earned recognition as a six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion.
Evans’ performance during the 2025 regular season placed him 65th in PFSN’s NFL Wide Receiver Impact Metric (WRi) with an impact score of 72.1 and a C- grade.
Throughout social media, Chris Godwin expressed sorrow at the news by reposting the announcement with a sad emoji:
😔 https://t.co/9OFIIUVqJK
— Chris Godwin (@CGtwelve_) March 9, 2026
Tristan Wirfs also shared a brief, emotional reaction to the trade:
Man… https://t.co/WGZMlcRw7g
— Tristan Wirfs (@TristanWirfs78) March 9, 2026
49ers’ Receiving Corps and Impact of Evans Joining the Team
After a brief playoff run, the 49ers finished the 2025 season with a strong offensive rating, ranking fourth in PFSN’s NFL Offensive Impact Metric with an 85.2 score and a B letter grade. The addition of Mike Evans is expected to boost their receiving group, which had varied performances last year.
Leading the 49ers’ wide receivers in performance was Ricky Pearsall, with a 19th overall WRi rank, earning an 81.5 impact score and a B- letter grade. He contributed 36 receptions for 528 yards in nine games but did not score any touchdowns.
Kendrick Bourne followed, positioned 62nd in the WRi with a 72.8 impact rating and a C- grade. He appeared in all 16 games, hauling in 37 catches for 551 yards without touchdowns.
Jauan Jennings ranked 77th with a 71.1 impact score and a C- grade across 15 games, achieving 55 receptions, 643 yards, and nine touchdowns.
Demarcus Robinson was 86th in the WRi, with a 69.4 score and a D+ grade from 14 games, producing 22 catches totaling 276 yards and a single touchdown.
Evans’ arrival is projected to strengthen the 49ers’ aerial attack by adding a proven playmaker to a receiving corps that had inconsistent scoring contributions last season.
Significance of Evans’ Departure and Future Outlook
With Mike Evans’ move to San Francisco, the Buccaneers are closing the chapter on one of their franchise legends who consistently ranked among the league’s top wide receivers over more than a decade. His departure leaves a substantial gap that Tampa Bay will need to fill as they rebuild their offensive strategies.
For the 49ers, acquiring Evans signals a commitment to enhancing their offense and elevating their competitive prospects in upcoming NFL seasons. As free agency progresses, his impact on the team will be closely watched, especially how he integrates with the current receiving lineup and contributes to overall team success.
Comp update: the 49ers are giving Mike Evans a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million, per source. https://t.co/QUE7gp1hoz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
— Chris Godwin (@CGtwelve_) March 9, 2026
— Chris Godwin (@CGtwelve_) March 9, 2026
Man… https://t.co/WGZMlcRw7g
— Tristan Wirfs (@TristanWirfs78) March 9, 2026
