The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have remained competitive on the field in recent seasons, but the NFL Players Association’s annual report cards continue to reveal areas where the organization trails much of the league. Those concerns resurfaced again this week in the latest Bussin’ With The Boys, featuring George Kittle discussing why players around the league view the San Francisco 49ers as such an attractive destination.
Kittle explains that San Francisco’s reputation around the league largely comes down to how the organization invests in its players. He highlights things like top-tier facilities, recovery resources, and the overall player experience, elements that the 49ers have emphasized in recent years and that players frequently discuss when evaluating teams in free agency.
That conversation becomes especially relevant when looking at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their recent NFLPA report cards. In the 2025 NFLPA report card, Tampa Bay ranked 27th out of 32 teams overall, with several categories finishing near the bottom of the league. The Buccaneers received an F/F- grade in both Team Travel and Home Field. D grade in Team ownership, Food/Dining Area, Locker Room, and Treatment of Families, ranking among the lowest in the NFL.
Players also cited facility concerns in the survey. One of the more notable notes from the report was that an alarming percentage of Buccaneers players reported plumbing problems and locker-room bad odors, an issue that stood out in the anonymous feedback. The year prior showed similar results.
In the 2024 NFLPA report card, Tampa Bay also landed near the bottom of the league in several areas, including an F grade for team travel and a D- for ownership. Players described certain parts of the facility as outdated compared to those of other NFL teams. While the Buccaneers did make some improvements, including eliminating a controversial $90 gameday daycare fee that helped raise their “treatment of families” score, the team still ranked at the bottom.
That context makes the reported departure of franchise legend Mike Evans to the 49ers particularly interesting. After spending more than a decade in Tampa Bay, Evans reportedly chose to continue his career in San Francisco, an organization widely known for its investment in player amenities and workplace culture, the very types of factors Kittle highlighted in the Bussin’ With The Boys clip as having helped “sell” Evans on the 49ers.
For the Buccaneers, the message from the surveys is clear: improving the player experience off the field could be just as important as roster building if the franchise wants to retain its stars. While football considerations and opportunities will always play the biggest role in free-agency decisions, the NFLPA report cards show that players are paying closer attention than ever to the full picture of what organizations offer.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: NFLPA report cards issues may paint a picture why Mike Evans left
Reporting by Ashlie Abrahams, Buccaneers Wire / Bucs Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
