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Bucs GM Jason Licht.
This afternoon, Bucs general manager Jason Licht had a sitdown with a select group of local media that covers the Bucs on a regular basis.
Licht was kind enough to do this specifically to address the greatest offensive player ever drafted by the Bucs wanted to wash his hands of the team.
The previous sentence may seem harsh from Joe and the Bucs may not appreciate it, but that’s what Evans did. He left a team claiming he had a chance to win a ring with the 49ers even though the 49ers lost to the Bucs last season, even without Evans.
A player doesn’t take a massive pay cut to go to a lesser team unless he’s done with the previous organization. Let’s just call it like we see it.
Over the period of roughly 15-20 minutes Licht held his sitdown, at least three times Licht stated the rationale for Evans leaving was a “family decision” to pursue a new “chapter.”
Well, for Joe, this has all sorts of overtones. Was there a family issue with an ill relative Evans (or his wife) wanted to be closer to? Did Evans’ oldest daughter (who is currently in high school) plan to go to Stanford? Did Evans’ wife get sick of Florida (she’s the one who advised Evans to stay in Tampa two years ago because he was happy here)?
Joe asked Licht for clarification what he meant by “family decision.” Licht really didn’t offer one other than to suggest Evans and his family wanted to start a new chapter elsewhere.
We know Evans didn’t leave for money. And Licht dismissed the notion Todd Bowles may have chased Evans away.
Unfortunately, “family decision” seemed like a rehearsed catchphrase to use to soften the blow of a Hall of Fame receiver not wanting to be with the Bucs any longer.
As Licht often does when there’s