Criticism of the San Francisco 49ers’ roster age seems to be a talking point this offseason. While they have improved and added proven stars, those stars may be in the twilight of their careers. One of those players is Mike Evans, and whether that was a good signing or bad depends on who you ask.
But how good could it be? Former NFL wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh is optimistic.
“If he can play 17 games,” Houshmandzadeh said on the Speakeasy Podcast, this may be Mike Evans’ best season because Kyle
Shanahan—at least in my opinion—is that good of a play designer.“
17 games is definitely asking a lot. The last time Evans played such a season was in 2023 at age 30. In 2024, he managed 14 games; in 2025, he managed 8. Evans’s 2026 season will be at age 36. Injuries happen, but the 49ers have some bad luck when it comes to devastating injuries derailing seasons for players.
Houshmandzadeh mentioned Kittle and McCaffrey would help things and that Evans would be “lost in the shuffle” a bit. Again, that’s assuming the 49ers can get all three of them on the field at once, which, until proven otherwise, is asking a lot from the football gods.
Evans most likely won’t surpass his personal record for yards receiving, 1,524. As Houshmandzadeh noted, if Evans is in that neighborhood, something has gone terribly wrong with the rest of the 49ers’ weapons in George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey.
Houshmandzadeh drilled down what might be possible: “I can see 1,300 yards, 87-92 catches and 11-14 touchdowns if he can play all 17 games.”
Earlier in the discussion, Houshmandzadeh noted that Evans is a quarterback’s dream on the field simply because when the ball comes Evans’ way on the field, Evans will come down with it.
That will no doubt be a nice security blanket for Brock Purdy when he has to throw it up.
