Getty
George Kittle appears to be all-in on the San Francisco 49ers’ reported Mike Evans move.
After ESPN’s breaking-news graphic circulated Monday, Kittle shared a post on his Instagram story tagging @mikeevans with four fire emojis, signaling excitement about the 49ers’ reported agreement with the veteran wide receiver. The timing matters because ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Evans is expected to sign a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million with San Francisco, giving Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan a major new weapon ahead of the 2026 league year.
Heavy
For the 49ers, Kittle’s reaction is notable because it underscores how significant the Evans addition could be for a reshaped pass-catching group. San Francisco needed proven production at wide receiver, and Evans arrives with one of the most decorated résumés of any active NFL receiver.
Key Points
George Kittle reposted the Mike Evans news on Instagram and tagged Evans with fire emojis, based on the screenshot shared above.
ESPN reported Evans is headed to the 49ers on a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million.
Evans brings elite career production, while Kittle remains one of the 49ers’ offensive centerpieces entering 2026
49ers News: Mike Evans Signs
The biggest takeaway from Kittle’s post is simple: San Francisco’s locker room appears energized by the reported addition.
Schefter’s ESPN report said Evans is leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a deal with the 49ers worth up to $60.4 million over three years. The San Francisco Chronicle reported the signing addresses a major need in the 49ers’ receiver room, especially after other offseason changes at the position.
That is the “why today” angle here. Free agency is reshaping rosters right now, and San Francisco is making a headline move before offseason workouts and the next wave of roster-building decisions. Kittle’s public reaction adds an immediate player-to-player layer that fans usually look for after a major signing.
Mike Evans Stats
Evans’ production is why this move landed as true breaking news.
According to Pro Football Reference, Evans has 13,052 career receiving yards through the 2025 season, which places him among the NFL’s all-time leaders. He also opened his career with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons, tying Jerry Rice’s benchmark for consecutive 1,000-yard years to start a career.
His 2025 season was shortened by injuries, but he still finished with 30 catches, 368 yards and 3 touchdowns in 8 games, per ESPN. That lower raw total is worth noting, though it also means the 49ers are betting on a healthy rebound rather than a player who has lost his long-term résumé.
Evans gives San Francisco a big-bodied boundary target, red-zone threat and veteran presence. Even if he is not asked to carry the entire passing game, he changes coverage looks for Kittle and the rest of the offense.
Mike Evans Contract
The reported deal is three years, up to $60.4 million, according to ESPN.
Still, even the top-line number tells a story. San Francisco did not make a low-risk flyer move here. The 49ers paid for a proven veteran, which suggests they expect Evans to play a meaningful role immediately rather than function as a depth addition. One report also noted the contract may be structured more like a shorter-term cap play, but the full mechanics still need official reporting.
What happens next?
Next comes the official team announcement, the full contract breakdown and the bigger football question: how Shanahan plans to deploy Evans alongside Kittle in a reshaped passing attack.
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He also focuses on the trading card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
More Heavy on 49ers
Loading more stories