The Buccaneers will be parting ways with one franchise cornerstone with wide receiver Mike Evans set to join the 49ers and it may not be long before we know whether another one will be back in Tampa next season.
Linebacker Lavonte David said last month that he was undecided about playing a 15th season in the NFL, but it sounds like he’s close to making up his mind. His agent Ron Butler said on WDAE on Tuesday, via Evan Closky of WTSP, that he anticipates “a decision coming soon.”
Butler also said that the Bucs are the only team that David will be playing for if he does decide to continue his career.
“Those are the two options, I will say that,” Butler said.
David had arthroscopic knee surgery after the end of the 2025 season and Butler said that the knee bothered David a lot last year. David was able to play in every game, however, and finished the year with 114 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
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Linebacker Alex Anzalone was one of the players to land a job with a new team after the free agent negotiating window opened on Monday.
Anzalone agreed to sign a two-year deal with the Buccaneers after spending the last five seasons with the Lions. In a farewell message posted to Instagram, Anzalone suggested that his first choice wasn’t to move on from Detroit.
“The business side of football doesn’t always line up with exactly how things should go,” Anzalone wrote. “Contracts end, decisions are made and sometimes paths diverge. It’s bittersweet, no doubt. I leave with nothing but appreciation.”
Running back David Montgomery, left tackle Taylor Decker, defensive lineman Roy Lopez, quarterback Kyle Allen, and cornerback Amik Robertson are other Lions set to move on to other teams for the 2026 season. All of the moves signal a bigger shift away from the Lions team that made a run to the NFC Championship Game after the 2023 season and the success of the revamped roster in 2026 will determine whether even more sweeping changes are in store in Detroit.
After twelve years in Tampa Bay, receiver Mike Evans is moving on. Ownership of the franchise has bid him farewell, while also making it clear he’ll have a spot in the team’s Ring of Honor.
“Saying goodbye to a legend such as Mike Evans is never easy, but today we are filled with appreciation and gratitude for all that he did during his extraordinary 12-year career as a Buccaneer,” the Glazer family said in a statement. “Our goal was always to ensure that Mike would play his entire career as a Buccaneer, but as we got further in the process it became clear he was looking for a new challenge.
“He leaves as the most accomplished offensive player in franchise history — a six-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion — but it was his dedication to making a difference off the field that will define his lasting legacy in our community. We wish Mike continued success in his next chapter and thank him for all that he has done for the Buccaneers and Tampa Bay.
“When the time comes, we look forward to gathering once again to honor his many accomplishments and celebrate his eventual Hall of Fame career.”
Evans has been a cornerstone of the franchise through a dozen years as a Buccaneer. His career will now continue, if not conclude, in San Francisco.
The initial numbers are in on the new Mike Evans deal in San Francisco.
Via Adam Schefter of ESPN, it’s a three-year, $60.4 million deal.
That’s an average of just over $20 million per year. Which is considerably lower than the reports suggesting he’d get north of $27 million annually.
The full and complete details eventually will emerge. It’s be interesting to see the structure, the first-year payout, and whether it essentially guarantees one or two years.
The lower the number, the more conspicuous Tampa’s decision not to keep Evans will become. As much as they love Evans, it’s arguably time to move on — especially with the investment they’ve made in Chris Godwin ($22 million per year) and the performance of Emeka Egbuka as a rookie.
Cornerback Jamel Dean is trading in his Buccaneers uniform for the black and yellow of the Steelers.
NFL Media reports that Dean has agreed to a three-year deal in Pittsburgh. The pact is worth $36.75 million for the veteran defensive back.
Dean entered the league as a 2019 third-round pick and has spent all seven of his NFL seasons in Tampa. He was a starter for most of that run and helped the team win the Super Bowl during his second season.
Dean closed out his run with the team by recording 46 tackles, three interceptions and two forced fumbles in 14 games last season.
The 13th season for future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans will be happening in a place other than Tampa Bay.
Via multiple reports, Evans has agreed to terms on a three-year deal with the 49ers.
The numbers haven’t leaked yet. There had been reports that teams were offering Evans more than $27 million per year.
Evans started his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. He decided to stay with the Buccaneers two years ago.
The value and the structure will be important on this one. Will it be a real $27 million per year? More than that?
Either way, Evans exits the Buccaneers after 12 seasons and one Super Bowl win.
The Buccaneers have landed a new linebacker.
According to multiple reports, they have agreed to terms on a contract with Alex Anzalone. It is a two-year pact worth $17 million for Anzalone.
Anzalone spent the last five seasons with the Lions and entered the league as a 2017 third-round pick in New Orleans. He was a starter for his entire run in Detroit and capped his time with the NFC North club by recording 95 tackles, 2.5 sacks, an interception, and nine passes defensed during the 2025 season.
The Bucs have longtime defensive centerpiece Lavonte David set for free agency and the Anzalone signing could signal the start of more significant changes on defense in Tampa.
Thirty years ago, the Steelers lost team MVP to free agency, when quarterback Neil O’Donnell left for the Jets. Today, it happened for the first time since then.
2025 Steelers MVP Kenneth Gainwell has agreed to terms with the Buccaneers. It’s reportedly a two-year, $14 million deal.
Gainwell played well last year, despite taking only half of the offensive snaps. He had 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight total touchdowns.
A year ago, he signed a modest one-year deal with the Steelers. He has now parlayed that into more money per year ($7 million) through 2027.
The deal makes it clear that Gainwell will join Bucky Irving as the top tailbacks in Tampa Bay, with the door closed on a return by Rachaad White.
The Buccaneers are bringing back one of their own offensive free agents.
According to multiple reports, tight end Cade Otton has agreed to return to Tampa Bay.
While exact terms of the deal have not been disclosed, Jenna Laine of ESPN reports Otton has agreed to a three-year contract.
Otton, who turns 27 in April, just completed his rookie contract with the Bucs after they selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. In 2025, Otton caught 59 passes for 572 yards with one touchdown in 16 games.
Otton’s best season was in 2024, when he tallied 59 receptions for 600 yards with four TDs.
During a dozen years in Tampa, receiver Mike Evans has quietly pieced together a strong case for Canton. The next chapter could be coming with a new team.
Evans becomes a free agent on Monday. Two years ago, he re-signed with the Buccaneers before hitting the market.
Teammate Chris Godwin, who opted to stay with the Bucs during free agency a year ago, can’t process the possibility of Evans playing elsewhere.
“It would be so weird,” Godwin said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “I can’t imagine talking to him on a different field and seeing him in a different jersey. . . .
’I hope that he’s here. I don’t know the intricacies of the deal. Everybody does their own thing. I don’t know what he’s willing to take and I don’t know what they’re willing to offer. But I hope that he’s back, for a lot of reasons, but he’s my brother.”
As Stroud notes, Evans will have interest elsewhere. Possibilities include the 49ers, Chargers, Commanders, and Giants.
It all comes down to money. Chances are that the terms already are in place, with the only thing standing in the way of the news breaking is the clock striking 12 on Monday afternoon.
Evans had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Buccaneers, tying him with Jerry Rice for the all-time record. (Evans holds the record for consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to start a career.)
With 866 catches, 13,052 yards, and 108 touchdowns, Evans ranks 31st in career catches, 21st in receiving yards, and 10th in receiving touchdowns. He was a member of the team that won Super Bowl LV.
Whether he joins a new team or stays put in Tampa for at least another season will be known soon.
