Buccaneers’ Baker Mayfield drops ‘different’ truth bomb after Mike Evans’ departure

The 2026 campaign will be a different one for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team’s heart and soul, the duo of linebacker Lavonte David and wide receiver Mike Evans, have moved on. David retired, while Evans elected to leave the Buccaneers for the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Tampa Bay is now firmly under quarterback Baker Mayfield’s leadership. After a Tuesday afternoon practice, Mayfield spoke with the press about these changes. Bucs beat reporter Rick Stroud shared Mayfield’s “different” take via X, formerly Twitter.

“Bucs QB Baker Mayfield said ‘it will be different without Mike (Evans),’ but he called having all the remaining weapons at receiver ‘a luxury,’ and he can go through his reads and not force the football,” Stroud shared Tuesday afternoon.

Since being selected seventh overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, Evans has been the Buccaneers’ unquestioned number one wideout. The former Texas A&M star started his career with 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, an NFL record he shares with Jerry Rice. Due to injury, last season was the first campaign in which he did not hit the 1,000-yard barrier. Now, he’ll try to get back to that mark in his first season with San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Mayfield is correct: the Buccaneers have a host of other weapons. Chris Godwin is now the veteran leader of the receiving room. Young guns like Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and Tez Johnson are ready to take the next step in 2026. All three are essentially entering their second NFL seasons, as McMillan missed most of his sophomore season in 2025 due to a neck injury.

Mayfield also has a strong offensive line, led by All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, plus veteran tight end Cade Otton, who re-signed with the Buccaneers in the offseason. Third-year running back Bucky Irving will team up with free agent pickup Kenneth Gainwell in the backfield. Despite the loss of Evans, Mayfield’s comments about his remaining weapons look to ring true. Can Godwin, McMillan, Egbuka, and the rest of these skill players help Mayfield get the Bucs back to the top of the NFC South in 2026?

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