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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter an offseason program for the first time in over a decade that won't have Mike Evans as part of it.
The star receiver swapped Tampa Bay for San Francisco in free agency, signing a three-year, $42.4 million deal, with $16.3 million guaranteed.
Most think it is a one-year deal based on his guarantees, but even so, Evans in a different uniform will be odd to see in 2026.
Some might think that the Bucs could have made a low offer to keep Evans, hence why he left, but general manager Jason Licht has sensationally revealed that the Buccaneers offered way more money than the 49ers did.
“We made a significantly higher offer [than the 49ers] and that was just the first offer," Licht said via ESPN's Jenna Laine. "I feel like we did everything we could."
More: Buccaneers GM makes perfect comment on Mike Evans' 49ers move
Buccaneers wanted to retain Evans
Given Licht's comments, we can only speculate on the type of money offered. Was it $20 million APY? Or was the guaranteed money more?
Either way, it appears money wasn't a motivating factor in Evans choosing his next team, and there is something to admire about that. He wanted a chance to compete and win a Super Bowl, and the thought is that he will get that chance with the 49ers.
Bucs fans can rest knowing that the franchise did all it could to keep Evans, but it was never about the money, and when that is the case, only one thing matters, and that's what the player wants.
Mike wanted a shot at Super Bowl glory, and that overrides any high-priced contract offer the Bucs would have given him.
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