Analyst wishes the Bucs had signed this player in free agency

Bleacher Report recently dropped a list of “contracts we wish we would have seen” from the 2026 free agency cycle, and for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two names stood out in a big way: Mike Evans and Trey Hendrickson.

Let’s start with the obvious one.

Bleacher Report highlighted Evans as a player they wish had landed (or stayed) in Tampa Bay, and every Buccaneer fan would agree. The future Ring of Honor wideout ultimately signed with the San Francisco 49ers, ending a legendary 12-year run with the Bucs.

For Tampa Bay, the loss runs deep. Evans wasn’t just consistent, he was historic. His run of 1,000-yard seasons and touchdown production made him arguably the greatest offensive player in franchise history, and his departure leaves a massive void both on and off the field, as Evans was a staple in the community with his Mike Evans Family Foundation, which held multiple charity events throughout the year.

Bleacher Report’s premise is simple: even at this stage of his career, Evans still brings size, red-zone dominance, and veteran leadership, exactly what a transitioning Bucs offense could have used in 2026, and is now missing.Instead, Tampa Bay now enters a new era without its most reliable weapon, forcing younger receivers to step into roles Evans made look routine for over a decade, and for a new leader to emerge.

While Evans represents what the Bucs lost, Hendrickson represents what they still need.Bleacher Report pointed to the veteran pass rusher as an ideal fit for Tampa Bay, something that lines up perfectly with the team’s roster construction. Even after multiple offseason moves across the league, elite edge rushers remain one of the most valuable commodities in football.

Hendrickson would have immediately upgraded a Bucs pass rush that has lacked consistent finishing ability in recent seasons. His motor, experience, and ability to win one-on-one matchups make him exactly the type of player defensive-minded head coach Todd Bowles covets, and it was also rumored he would have "loved to play for the Buccaneers" in a homecoming, as Hendrickson is from Orlando.

Both Evans and Hendrickson would have set the Buccaneers up with BPA additions in the draft and security in both leadership and production roles. Instead, they'll be stuck wondering "what if".

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: The Bucs could have used two contracts going their way in free agency