One of the most impactful signings of this free agency was Mike Evans joining the San Francisco 49ers after leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following 12 seasons. The legacy Evans leaves behind places him among the franchise’s greatest icons and as a reference point for the teammates who remain with the team.
It was not only the fans who lamented the player’s departure. Left tackle Tristan Wirfs expressed his sadness over Evans’ exit in a post on his TikTok account that perfectly reflects the feelings of everyone involved with the Buccaneers right now.
Tristan Wirfs Reacts to Mike Evans Leaving Tampa Bay After 12 Seasons
Many fans believed Evans would retire with the Buccaneers. While that is still a possibility, considering he will turn 33 at the start of the season and could still return to the team, his career will no longer belong to just one franchise, as he will now move to the West Coast to play for the 49ers.
Wirfs arrived in Tampa Bay in 2020 via the draft, and in his rookie year, he helped lead the franchise to a Super Bowl win in a magical season featuring Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, and, of course, Evans. The title further cemented Evans’ status as an icon, as he has always been a vocal leader and deeply committed to the community.
On his TikTok account, Wirfs reposted a clip from the movie Interstellar, in which Matthew McConaughey’s character tries to communicate with his past self to prevent a decision from being made.
However, in this case, the video shows the Buccaneers trying to prevent Evans from leaving the club, with Champagne Supernova by Oasis as the soundtrack.
Usually not good when there’s an Oasis song attached…and Tristan Wirfs reposted this on TikTok… pic.twitter.com/YtWB7WumcO
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 11, 2026
The melancholic tone caught the public’s attention and illustrates well the overall feeling surrounding the receiver’s departure. Over the past 12 years, Evans has been a symbol of the cultural change Tampa Bay has experienced, being present in both the team’s low moments and its highs, including the Super Bowl 55 title and the team’s constant playoff appearances.
Evans also achieved the incredible mark of 11 straight seasons to begin a career with at least 1,000 receiving yards, a feat that placed him among the greatest receivers in history and tied Jerry Rice’s record for the most consecutive seasons reaching that mark.
In 2025, Evans dealt with injuries and missed a total of nine games, finishing the year with just 368 yards and three touchdowns.
He ranked 65th among receivers in the PFSN WR Impact Meter with a C- grade, making it objectively his quietest season, but in the moments he was on the field, he remained a reliable piece.
Now Evans’ career will continue with the experienced 49ers roster, playing alongside Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Ricky Pearsall, and catching passes from Brock Purdy, whom he has already shown appreciation for.
The three-year contract worth up to $60.4 million is one of the best deals of this free agency and could change San Francisco’s offense.
