It has been a busy offseason for the 49ers’ receiver room. Kendrick Bourne departed for the Arizona Cardinals, while Jauan Jennings doesn’t appear to be returning either. And Brandon Aiyuk is — well, who knows anymore?
But San Francisco also made a pair of impactful additions, signing Mike Evans and Christian Kirk to bring plenty of veteran experience to an otherwise young group.
On an episode of the “In Good Company with Mitch Morse” podcast this week, Kirk explained how he landed in the Bay Area as an NFL free agent this offseason.
“Free agency was a little different this year,” Kirk told Morse, a former NFL offensive lineman. “I felt like I was in a position to be a little bit more picky on where I wanted to go. At this point in my career, I think it just all depended on being in the right situation. And so, from the get-go, San Fran had interest, like, there was a lot of interest there.
“And it excited me just because, you know, I played in that division for four years. (Kyle) Shanahan has had that thing rolling for a while. All those guys, (Brock) Purdy, (Christian McCaffrey), (George) Kittle, Fred Warner, I mean, list goes on, Trent Williams. And so, played against all those guys; a lot of respect for that organization.
“And so, the more I started thinking about it, I’m like, yes, that’s a great fit. And I feel like I fit into that locker room really well and want to be a part of what they’re doing. I had some other options out there. It was just kind of, you know, taking my time and just really doing my due diligence.
“I got on the phone with Kyle Shanahan, and we just talked about what I could do in the offense, being a part of the scheme and just the direction that they’re headed. It was really a no-brainer at the end of the day. So, super excited to be a part of the 49ers, and I get to be back on the West Coast, closer to home.”
Kirk, a native of Scottsdale, Arizona, signed with San Francisco last month on a one-year, $6 million deal. The eight-year NFL veteran spent his first four seasons in the NFC West with the Arizona Cardinals, followed by stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.
The former second-round pick out of Texas A&M has accrued 432 receptions for 5,415 yards and 30 touchdowns during his career, though Kirk posted a career-low 239 receiving yards with one score on the Texans in 2025.
But both Kirk and the 49ers are hoping their dynamic offense can help him bounce back next season alongside Evans, Kittle, McCaffrey and others.
“There’s just so much space when guys get the ball in their hands,” Kirk added, “and the way (Shanahan) is able to scheme different guys open, you know, playing off of play-action pass, run game, screens, the whole nine, right? Like, it’s just all about integrating yourself in that, and he does a great job of using guys to their skill set. So, I’m really excited about it.”
If all goes to plan, Purdy should have a bevy of weapons around him in Shanahan’s offense to help lead San Francisco back to the NFL playoffs and — fingers crossed — another shot at a Super Bowl.