The San Francsico 49ers made a splash on the first day of free agency, signing wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal to bolster their biggest need of the offseason.
Coming into free agency, the 49ers had a big hole at wide receiver. They had struggles at the position a year ago, both with production and injuries, and were set to lose top receiver Jauan Jennings. Their top returners were Ricky Pearsall, Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Watkins, and Jacob Cowing, so at least one receiver was needed.
San Francisco was linked to former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs, but ultimately agreed to terms with Evans on the first day that the legal tampering period opened. In Evans, the 49ers are getting one of the most productive receivers of the past decade. The former Buccaneer had strung together 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons before being limited to just eight games in 2025 with a multitude of injuries.
Now, there is some risk, evidently, given Evans’s age (will be 33 in August) and injury history. But the 49ers have a new No. 1 target for Brock Purdy, and at a very reasonable price.
Speaking with reporters for the first time on Thursday, Evans detailed his thought process going into free agency, revealing that the 49ers were his No. 1 choice among teams needing a No. 1 wide receiver.
“I did my research on a lot of teams that I was looking at,” Evans said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “I was looking at contenders, guys with good quarterbacks, obviously. So I was looking at here, Buffalo Bills, teams that needed a number one wide receiver.
“I liked this place. This was my number one spot on my own. And then I talked to John [Lynch] and Kyle [Shanahan] and it solidified it for me. I’ve always been a fan of Kyle, and he just talked about how he sees me in this offense, and it just made me even happier. And it was a no-brainer, really, after I got on the phone with him.”
Evans has long looked to be on a contender, winning a Super Bowl in 2020 and making the playoffs five years in a row with the Buccaneers from 2020-24. That seemed to be a big factor in his decision, and he had a bold statement to say about where the 49ers currently stand in the NFL.
“[The 49ers were the right spot for me because they’re] a team that always competes,” Evans said. “Even with the injuries last year. I think they went 13-4. I mean, I feel like they were one piece away, and I think that I’m that piece, and I look forward to coming here and proving that.”
“Yeah, I mean, I love money, obviously, like everybody else. But yeah, that’s true [that] the money was not the biggest factor for me. Like I said, it was just football and something that I can be excited about. I’m super excited every time I come to Levi’s Stadium, and I see how the crowd is, and I see the energy, the energy that they bring in, [and] the rich history of the San Francisco 49ers. It just excites me. So I feel like it’s given me a second wind in my career, and that’s why I chose to come here.”
The 49ers are slowly filling out their needs, making a move for Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to shore up their interior alongside 2025 second-round pick Alfred Collins. Signing Evans went a long way to achieving that goal, and San Francisco now has their solution at wide receiver for 2026.
