Free agency has been a tough pill for Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans to swallow this year. While the team has made some moves, the departures have been particularly stinging.
The headline loss? Mike Evans, who’s now suiting up for the 49ers.
Adding to the pain, Jamel Dean has joined the Steelers. It’s one thing to lose talent; it’s another to see them land in spots that seem like upgrades, drawing applause from around the league.
Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano added salt to the wound by listing two former Bucs among his top five free agent signings. Evans to the Niners topped the list, and Dean to the Steelers came in fourth. Ouch.
Manzano highlighted Evans as the missing piece for the 49ers’ Super Bowl aspirations. The future Hall of Famer adds another layer to Kyle Shanahan’s already dynamic offense, which features the versatile Christian McCaffrey.
Evans’ comments at his introductory press conference were a gut punch for Bucs fans. Claiming he’s the final piece San Francisco needed was a tough blow.
As for Dean, Manzano praised him as an underrated talent, even as he approaches 30. Dean has proven over the past couple of seasons that he can still deliver top-tier performances as an outside cornerback.
While Dean’s departure doesn’t sting quite like Evans’, it’s never easy to see talented players leave. Watching two former Buccaneers make such a splash in free agency is a stark reminder of how challenging this offseason has been.