Pat McAfee Show expert Adam Schefter has weighed in on the controversial Mike Evans free agency deal as the star receiver ends a 12 year tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
08:17 ET, 10 Mar 2026Updated 08:17 ET, 10 Mar 2026
Mike Evans
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Mike Evans has left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 12 years
Adam Schefter has shared the real reason behind the controversial Mike Evans move which saw him end a 12 year tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Evans will have a new home for the first time in his NFL career as he joins the San Fransisco 49ers on a three-year deal worth $60 million. The star receiver helped the Bucs win the Super Bowl in 2020 but injuries derailed his 2025 season.
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However 49ers fans have been left unsure of the deal, which places him in the exclusive $20 million average annual value range, despite the fact that he is coming off a season heavily impacted by injuries. it comes after Schefter slammed Pat McAfee live on air over a technical glitch.
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Bucs fans have also slammed the deal after Evans stated he wanted to be a Buc for life after signing a new deal in 2024. However Schefter has stated the move is nothing to do with money.
"Mike Evans’ decision to leave Tampa was not about money; the Bucs were aggressive in their pursuit and presented what was said to be a “very strong offer”. It came down to a desire for a new challenge as Evans enters the last years of his career." said Schefter on X.
Schefter also clarified the length of the contract while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show stating that it is "really a shorter-term deal than that, but going to be called a 3-year deal for cap purposes."
Although a concussion and a collarbone injury sidelined Evans for nine games in 2025—limiting him to a career-low 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns—he remains a difficult matchup for defenses and one of the NFL’s few true X receivers.
"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 on Monday.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter
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Adam Schefter has revealed the real reason behind the Mike Evans trade(Image: Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)
"Mike has tremendous love and respect for the Buccaneers organization, the Glazer family, the coaches, his teammates, and especially the fans in Tampa Bay who have supported him since the day he was drafted. Tampa will always be home to him, and he is deeply proud of everything they accomplished together."
Although hundreds of NFL free agents are set to sign in the coming days, Monday already saw several significant moves. Travis Kelce confirmed he will return to the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal, ending uncertainty about his future.
At the same time, Tua Tagovailoa revealed he would leave the Miami Dolphins, leading the team to act swiftly by signing quarterback Malik Willis to a three-year contract.
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The New York Giants also signed tight end Isaiah Likely from the Baltimore Ravens, reuniting him with coach John Harbaugh after leaving the Ravens following the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, despite their Super Bowl victory last month, the Seattle Seahawks have seen several key players depart including star running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker and star cornerback Coby Bryant.