The San Francisco 49ers may have landed the biggest wide receiver addition of free agency. Mike Evans is heading to San Francisco on a three-year contract worth $60.4 million, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
The deal becomes official when the new league year opens Wednesday, March 11 at 4 pm ET. Once that happens, Brock Purdy gains one of the most decorated outside weapons of this era. San Francisco entered free agency without much depth at the position, so the timing couldn’t be better.
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Evans spent 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and built a powerful resume. He’s hauled in 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 109 touchdowns while earning six Pro Bowl selections and winning a Super Bowl.
During a recent ESPN Get Up segment, analyst Dan Orlovsky broke down how Evans could transform Purdy’s offense in a major way.
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“He’s gonna be to Brock Purdy, what Davante Adams was to Matthew Stafford. Everyone talked about Matthew Stafford and Davante Adams this past year, and all the one-yard or two-yard touchdown passes. That’s what exactly what Mike Evans is gonna be,” Orlovsky said.
“You’re gonna get so many easy touchdown passes down in the red zone, and then you’re gonna get so many easy looks for Christian McCaffrey, or George Kittle, in that run game. This is an enormous edition.”
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Orlovsky also pointed to an interesting stat about Purdy. He’s the only quarterback in the last two decades to complete over 50% of his throws in the end zone.
Pairing him with Evans, who dominates near the goal line, changes the math completely. Very few NFL cornerbacks can handle Evans one-on-one from three yards out.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The addition addresses a real need for San Francisco. Evans brings size, physicality, and the ability to win in tight windows when drives stall out near the goal line. He also provides consistency on critical downs, something the 49ers were missing.
The receiver room was thin heading into the offseason, and speculation about potential departures only made the situation more uncertain. Signing a proven veteran like Evans was the logical response to fill that gap.
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