After missing out on the NFC South division title, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the chance to make some big changes. Instead, Todd Bowles remained head coach, and other members of the staff were fired.
Much of the Bucs’ roster was expected to return, but there were actually some tough departures, including franchise legend Mike Evans.
Jason Licht Addresses Blame Put on Todd Bowles for Mike Evans’ Departure
In free agency, the Buccaneers attempted to bring back Evans and were willing to give him the money he wanted, but it did not work. In the end, Evans took his talents to San Francisco, and he will be a top wide receiver option for the 49ers.
Both on and off the field, Evans’ leaving is a massive hit to the franchise, and the fact that money was not a factor in his decision is jarring.
Clearly, he had other motivations, and many have believed it’s because of the direction the Bucs are going. As a result, the blame has been placed on Bowles, especially given his disappointing season. He is a defensive-minded head coach, and his defense was 32nd in third- and fourth-down conversion percentage per PFSN’s Defensive Impact Metric.
This blame is extremely dangerous because it raises the question: If the Bucs fired Bowles, would Evans have stayed?
This may never be answered, but the speculation is damaging, especially if that’s a thought players on the roster are having. Moments like these are when the team’s general manager can step in and shut down rumors or speculation, and according to Buccaneers reporter Jenna Laine, this is what Jason Licht did.
Here is what the general manager of the Buccaneers said in response to the blame placed on people for Evans’ departure: “I feel pretty strongly that — I’ve seen that theory — but that’s not it. A lot of people were frustrated and Mike was frustrated, as competitive as he is, but nothing was ever directed.
“I mean, probably the person that was most frustrated in that particular incident was Todd. There’s a lot of things — every team I’ve been a part of there’s instances like that where players get emotional in times that may be not be as public or caught on camera. I mean, it’s in the locker room, but that had zero to do with it.”
I asked Bucs general manager Jason Licht if he thought coach Todd Bowles or the defense giving up a 14-point lead to the Falcons had anything to do with Mike Evans’ decision to leave: “I feel pretty strongly that — I’ve seen that theory — but that’s not it. A lot of people were…
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 18, 2026
Even if the potential of Bowles being fired was on the table, Licht was never going to let blame get thrown at his head coach. The only way we will really know whether Evans left because of Bowles or the defense is if Evans himself comes out and says it.
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As Licht said, there may have been disagreements during the season, but every team going through some time of struggle can have that happen.
In 2026, Bowles will start the season with all eyes on him to improve, and if he can’t get that done, it may be his last year in Tampa Bay.
