The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost a key player in free agency on Monday. They lost wide receiver Mike Evans to the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year deal. This was a major surprise to a lot of people. Not many people thought that Evans was going to leave Tampa Bay and go join San Francisco.
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Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
There are a lot of Buccaneers fans and players who are not thrilled about him leaving the team. Head coach Todd Bowles released a statement about Evans leaving the team in free agency. Fans believe that Bowles should have been the one who was let go this offseason and not Evans instead.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fans Wish Todd Bowles Was Fired Instead Of Mike Evans Being Let Go In Free Agency
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Dec 28, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles walks around the field during warmups prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
There are a lot of Tampa Bay fans who are not thrilled with Evans leaving free agency. The Buccaneers fanbase is not mad at Evans for leaving, they are mad at Bowles because they feel like he is one of the reasons why this occurred. This is what some Tampa Bay fans had to say about this:
Bowles should’ve been fired instead
— 𝓢𝓪𝓶𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓰 ™ (@PlayoffMarkelle) March 9, 2026
Thanks Todd for wasting the prime years of Mike to prove that you are better than your career losing record!!! Maybe a few more years of running the talent out of the building will do it!!! Haha XD 💯
— Aether Excommunicado (@AetherAgony) March 9, 2026
It is clear that the reason Mike left is because he did not feel this team was a serious contender and that 100% falls on our head coach. Ownership chose not to replace him when it was obvious it must be done and now we have lost a great player because of it.
— Frank 🏴☠️🇺🇸 (@FrankCi64195712) March 9, 2026
The day Bowles is fired after this upcoming season is gonna be a celebration for this fan base
(Thank you for the SB as a DC but he’s a shit HC)
— 🙏 (@_DumbassTC) March 9, 2026
I bet Todd was the primary reason he left.
— DG 🏴 (@drewg69) March 9, 2026
Tampa Bay finished with an 8-9 record last season and missed the playoffs. The Buccaneers may not be a good team in 2026 and other teams in the NFC South are getting better. There is no doubt that Bowles will be on the hot seat next season. Evans could very well thrive with the 49ers in his new home next season.
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