Mike Evans spent 12 seasons building a legacy with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason. His wife, Ashli Evans, offered a glimpse of what the move means for their family with a heartfelt message saying goodbye to Tampa.
Ashli Evans Shares Emotional Message After Buccaneers Exit
Ashli Evans shared a message on Instagram reflecting on what the city meant to their family after Evans finalized his move to San Francisco. “Grateful for all the memories this city gave to our family! I will forever cherish this chapter of life thank you Tampa,” she wrote.
Evans responded in the comments with a short reply of his own: “Great Memories Great Ride.” The message struck a chord with Buccaneers fans who watched Evans grow from a first-round draft pick into the most productive receiver in franchise history.
Tampa Bay selected Evans with the seventh overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. He quickly became the centerpiece of the offense and remained the team’s most dependable playmaker for more than a decade.
Evans leaves Tampa Bay holding the franchise records for receptions (866), receiving yards (13,052), and receiving touchdowns (108). His résumé includes six Pro Bowl selections and a pivotal role in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl 55 victory.
Consistency defined his time with the Buccaneers. Evans became the only player in NFL history to open his career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, tying a mark previously set by Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice.
Injuries interrupted that streak in 2025. Evans appeared in only eight games and finished with 30 receptions for 368 yards and three touchdowns. According to PFSN’s Wide Receiver Impact Metric, he finished the season with a 72.1 Impact Score.
Evans and Ashli Evans also established deep ties to the Tampa community. The couple founded the Mike Evans Family Foundation in 2017. The organization focuses on supporting children in need and assisting families affected by domestic violence.
Evans later shared his own message to Tampa through the foundation’s social media accounts.
“From the day I arrived in Tampa, you embraced me and made this city feel like home,” Evans wrote. “We’ve shared incredible moments together, unforgettable wins, tough challenges, and the honor of bringing a Super Bowl championship to this great community.”
The veteran receiver closed his message by emphasizing how much the city shaped his career. “Although my journey is taking me to a new team and a new chapter in San Francisco, please know this. I will always be a Buc at heart.”
Evans now joins a 49ers offense led by quarterback Brock Purdy and head coach Kyle Shanahan as San Francisco continues its pursuit of another Super Bowl run.
