Throughout his prolific NFL career, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans has earned a reputation for his team-first, selfless nature — the antithesis of the “diva” WR. However, even Evans has his moments where he loses his cool with his quarterback, as he recently revealed in a podcast appearance.
Mike Evans Reveals One Time He Got Frustrated With His QB
The Buccaneers were a dysfunctional franchise that didn’t make the playoffs for the first six years of Evans’ career. Yet, he continued to be a consummate professional, serving as a leader in the locker room and dominating the man across from him regardless of the circumstances.
Evans endured subpar quarterback play throughout his early career, catching passes from Mike Glennon, Josh McCown, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and primarily, Jameis Winston. Despite the lack of a true franchise QB, Evans still maintained elite production and never showed signs of discontent.
However, in an appearance on the Loose Cannons podcast, Evans surprised listeners by revealing that the first quarterback to truly frustrate him was none other than the legendary Tom Brady.
“The most I’ve ever gotten heated with a quarterback to give me the ball was Tom one year,” Evans told the “Loose Cannons” hosts. “I was like, ‘Yo, throw me the f****** ball!’ on the one play, and then he looked at me and said, ‘I got you.'”
Here's what Mike Evans told Tom Brady 😂pic.twitter.com/Ebgbgi3Qzc
— PFSN (@PFN365) February 13, 2025
Evans’ rare demand for targets resonated with Brady, who made it a priority to get his star receiver the ball, but Evans failed to convert on his next opportunities.
“He threw me a fade against [Marshon] Lattimore, we didn’t connect. And then, on fourth down, he throws me another fade, and we don’t connect again. And I’m like, f***! I just demanded the ball from the GOAT, and I don’t make the play.”
Needless to say, Evans and Brady ultimately improved their chemistry and developed a strong connection in Tampa Bay.
In three seasons together, Evans caught 221 passes, 3,156 yards, and 33 touchdowns from Brady. Most notably, the two won a Super Bowl together in Tampa Bay and served as the faces of the franchise during some of the most successful years in team history.
Evans and Brady will look back at the moment of frustration and laugh when they reunite in Canton and in the Buccaneers’ Ring of Honor.