Getty
The San Francisco 49ers needed a receiver. They got one of the best available. But the story of how Mike Evans ended up in Santa Clara begins not with a contract figure or a scheme fit, but with a phone call from a tight end on the injured list.
Evans signed a three-year deal worth up to $60 million this week, giving Brock Purdy the true No. 1 wideout the 49ers had been missing. He had options. Several teams were in the mix. When he spoke to the media on Thursday, he made clear who tipped the scales. “George was the biggest salesman,” Evans said with a smile. “George sold it big time. He’s a big reason why I’m here, just because of the type of player and teammate that he is.”
49ers’ George Kittle Sells Evans on San Francisco
GettyGeorge Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers.
The friendship between Evans and George Kittle dates back to the 2018 Pro Bowl, a relationship spanning nearly a decade. When the 49ers needed someone to make the pitch, Kittle was ready, despite currently recovering from an Achilles injury that could keep him sidelined for part of the 2026 season.
It worked. Evans was not chasing money either, making his decision all the more telling. “The money was not the biggest factor for me,” he 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, I see the energy that they bring, the rich history of the San Francisco 49ers just excites me. I feel like it’s given me a second wind in my career, and that’s why I chose to come here.” The deal carries just $16.3 million in guaranteed money, a structure that gives both sides flexibility if things do not click.
Mike Evans says #49ers TE George Kittle was the ultimate salesman in getting him to San Francisco.
Evans said Kittle was a big reason he ultimately chose the Niners.
49ers’ Evans Drops Bold Quote on Brock Purdy
GettyBrock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers.
Evans also had plenty to say about the quarterback he will be catching passes from. He called Brock Purdy a “true professional” and a “really, really underrated player,” adding that he had clocked Purdy’s ability as far back as 2022. “His first start was against my Buccaneers,” Evans said. “I saw right then and there that, if I play with him, I feel like I can help him out a lot. He’s already a really good player. I hope I can help him get to where he wants to go in his career, and that’s to be a Super Bowl champion, potential MVP, and just have a great career here in San Francisco.”
That is not the language of a veteran collecting a final payday. Evans is talking like someone who genuinely believes in what he is walking into, and the 49ers will take every word of it.
Final Word for San Francisco
Evans arrives with something to prove after injuries limited him to eight games in 2025, snapping a streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. “I always feel like I’ve got to prove something,” he said. “I always feel like I could be better.”
San Francisco had the quarterback, the coach, and the culture. What they needed was the receiver. Kittle made the call. Evans made the decision. Now the 49ers get to find out what it looks like when it all comes together.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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