After spending his entire career in Tampa Bay, star wide receiver Mike Evans is heading to a new team as he pursues another championship.
Evans has agreed to a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, according to NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo.
The veteran receiver spent his first 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, building a résumé that has him firmly on a Hall of Fame trajectory while helping the franchise capture a Super Bowl title during the 2020 season. Before injuries shortened his 2025 campaign, Evans had recorded 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons — tying the NFL record held by Jerry Rice and setting the longest such streak to begin a career.
Evans also leaves Tampa Bay ranked among the most prolific touchdown scorers in league history. His 108 career touchdown receptions rank 10th all time and were the sixth most by a player with a single franchise.
“After twelve remarkable seasons in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans felt a desire to challenge himself with a new chapter in the final stage of his career,” Evans’ agent, Deryk Gilmore, said in a statement. “He has tremendous love and respect for the Buccaneers organization, the Glazer family, the coaches, his teammates and especially the fans who supported him since the day he was drafted.”
Evans now joins a small group of receivers who recorded 100 or more touchdown catches with one franchise before moving on to another team — a list that previously included only Rice and Cris Carter.
While injuries limited Evans to nine games in 2025 due to a concussion and a collarbone issue, he remains one of the league’s most physically imposing wideouts. The 6-foot-5 receiver finished the season with 30 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns but still presents a difficult matchup thanks to his size, body control and ability to win contested catches.
In San Francisco, Evans could be an ideal fit in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system. The 49ers entered the offseason with uncertainty at receiver, with Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore all heading toward free agency while the situation surrounding Brandon Aiyuk remained unresolved.
Evans will now join a group that includes former first-round pick Ricky Pearsall and slot receiver Demarcus Robinson, giving the 49ers a proven boundary threat capable of stretching defenses.
For Tampa Bay, Evans’ departure marks the end of an era. The Buccaneers appear prepared to move forward with Chris Godwin continuing to recover from injury, young wideout Emeka Egbuka entering a potential breakout second season and deep threat Jalen McMillan also in the mix.
Although parting with one of the greatest players in franchise history is difficult, the move could allow Tampa Bay to retain key pieces elsewhere on the roster, including tight end Cade Otton and add running back Kenneth Gainwell as the team reshapes its offense for the future.
