TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 03: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield 6 celebrates a touchdown with Wide Receiver Mike Evans 13 during the regular season game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 03, 2023 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 03 Panthers at Buccaneers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon357231203015
TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 03: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Baker Mayfield 6 celebrates a touchdown with Wide Receiver Mike Evans 13 during the regular season game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 03, 2023 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 03 Panthers at Buccaneers EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon357231203015
Mar 13, 2026, 12:00 PM CUT
Mike Evans Lost Faith in Baker Mayfield Amid 49ers Move
Mike Evans' 12-year tenure with the Buccaneers is over. The star receiver has signed with the San Francisco 49ers. NFL Insider Tom Pelissero suggests the move wasn't about money, but a chance to chase another Super Bowl ring.
In the latest episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Pelissero talked about why Mike Evans left the Buccaneers for the San Francisco 49ers. According to Pelissero, the decision was less about money and more about how Evans wanted to finish his Hall of Fame career.
"He may well believe that the 49ers have a better chance to go win a Super Bowl in 2026 than the Buccaneers do. And if that's what matters to Mike Evans, going and trying to chase a second Super Bowl ring, then that may be more important than the money."
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DEC 28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Mike Evans 13 trots onto the field before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins on December 28, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 28 Buccaneers at Dolphins EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon357251228097
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DEC 28: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Wide Receiver Mike Evans 13 trots onto the field before the game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins on December 28, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire NFL, American Football Herren, USA DEC 28 Buccaneers at Dolphins EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon357251228097
Mike Evans won his first and so far only Super Bowl, which was Super Bowl LV, after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the team has struggled in the postseason since then. In 2021, he lost in the Divisional Round to the Los Angeles Rams.
Their 2022 season ended with a Wild Card round loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The 2023 season was significantly better as they beat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round. But then they lost to the Detroit Lions in the Divisional round.
In 2024, they were knocked out in the Wild Card round, and then 2025 was even worse. They lost 7 of their next 8 games after their bye week. This caused them to fall out of playoff contention.
Mike Evans Explained Why He Joined The 49ers
It wasn't an easy decision for Evans to make. After all, he had spent his 12 NFL seasons with the Bucs. But the strong offensive side of the 49ers and their consistency were just too tempting for the WR to ignore.
"When it comes to football, this was undoubtedly the best place for me," he said. They always compete. Even with last year's injuries, they managed a 13-4 record. I feel like they were missing a piece, and I believe I'm that piece."
The San Francisco 49ers had a pretty good 2025 season. They were second in the NFC West with a 12-5 record and even defeated the defending champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, 23–19 in the Wild Card Round. However, the Seattle Seahawks ended their run with a 41-6 win over them in the divisional round.
In the end, Evans has signed a 3-year, $42,400,000 contract with the San Francisco 49ers, including $16,300,000 guaranteed. He has an average annual salary of $14,133,333.
Do you think Mike Evans made the right decision by going to the San Francisco 49ers?
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Written by
Reyansh Dubey
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar