Buccaneers Ownership Shares Honest Take On Mike Evans Exit

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have signed a few free agents this offseason, but they also lost a few notable names — but none more notable than Mike Evans. Evans left the Bucs for the San Francisco 49ers, and Buccaneers fans have been wondering ever since why he decided to move away from Tampa Bay.

Bucs co-owner Joel Glazer would have likely been fine with cutting Evans a hefty check to stay, but it wasn't about money — Evans took just $16.3 million guaranteed to go to the 49ers. Glazer gave his thoughts and opinions on Mike Evans leaving the team to join the 49ers.

Joel Glazer gives thoughts on Mike Evans departure

"I would say we were fortunate to have Mike in our organization — not many organizations and franchises get the pleasure of watching a Hall of Fame player for that long on one team," Glazer said, per JoeBucsFan. "But at the end of the day, you know, each player gets to make their own choice, and that’s for him and his family. And for Mike, he felt this was what was right for him, and we wish him nothing but the best. He’s a great Buccaneer. He will always be a great Buccaneer. We’re obviously sorry to see him go, but respect what was best for him.

"You can’t look back and woulda-coulda-shoulda — this and that. And the end of the day after [12] years, and everything Mike’s done for us, ultimately, you want Mike to do what’s best for him because he gave us his all for all these years. And he’s not the first great player to leave a franchise and move on to another franchise. He won’t be the last. That’s the National Football League. He’s entitled to have a new experience in his life. People do it in all walks of life, and for him and his family, we wish him nothing but the best."

Sep 25, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner and co-chairman Joel Glazer walks onto the field before a game against the Philadelphia Eaglesat Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

There is a lot to agree with what Glazer said regarding Evans leaving. Ultimately, it was Evans' decision to leave the Buccaneers, and it is a decision he chose to make. It was a decision that never came down to money — it came down to Evans wanting a change of scenery and a new challenge in his career.

There have been many great players in the NFL who have switched teams: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning Joe Montana and plenty more. Very rarely does a player end up playing their entire career on one team.

While Evans will certainly be missed and his impact on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is something the team will have to replace, the team needs to move forward and pick up the pieces that they have left, as they literally don't have a choice.

Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan will usher in a new era for the Bucs wide receiver room. New faces like Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving and more will become the new franchise faces that people associate the team with. Things change in life and in the NFL and change is something everyone needs to eventually come to live with.

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