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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have turned themselves into a bit of a pickle before the start of the 2026 season. They still have not reached an agreement on an extension with their starting quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and they let go of probably the greatest wide receiver in franchise history, Mike Evans.
Mayfield will still be under contract for 2026, but the consensus here is that the Bucs likely want to get him signed long-term as their "guy", going forward. Bill Barnwell of ESPN named this Evans move by the Buccaneers as one of their worst of the offseason.
That is all before stepping onto the field at all for the 2026 season, and things are already starting to haunt them.
Letting go of Evans seemed like a necessary move at the start, as he was injured a bunch in 2025. But there is no denying that his decision to leave for another powerhouse in the NFC was more than likely a dig. Evans signed a very friendly three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers worth up to $60.4 million.
Evans has left a mark on the Buccaneers' history books, and the lore of his career will have to include this monumental shift. He now goes to the 49ers, who have retooled themselves yet again to try to make another run at the Super Bowl. Having No. 13 out on the field, hopefully back at 100% by the start of the regular season, puts them in that category of contenders.
For the Bucs, the NFC South will be a tough division in 2026. The Carolina Panthers are on the upswing, as well as the Atlanta Falcons. The New Orleans Saints are also another team not to count out. There is a chance that they may falter back to the bottom in 2026, strictly due to the loss of Evans.
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