The San Francisco 49ers made one of the splashiest moves of the NFL offseason by signing veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, but the addition has also sparked a larger question: Should the 49ers be worried about the age of their core?
During an appearance on Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show, Brian Peacock of the Locked On 49ers podcast praised the move while acknowledging the broader concern that San Francisco is leaning on several players already in their 30s, including star running back Christian McCaffrey and veteran tight end George Kittle.
Peacock admitted the Evans signing initially caught him off guard.
“There’s a little bit of shock,” Peacock said. “I knew Mike Evans was out there as a possibility for the 49ers, but I wasn’t sure if the fit was right.”
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
However, once the receiver market shifted around the league, he began to see how the move could materialize.
“When I saw the trade of DJ Moore to the Bills, I thought, ‘You know what, maybe there is a real chance that the 49ers could pull Mike Evans out of free agency,’” Peacock said.
In fact, Peacock believes the move says just as much about San Francisco’s culture and quarterback as it does about the receiver.
“I don’t even look at this as the 49ers picked Mike Evans. I think Mike Evans picked the 49ers,” Peacock said. “It’s a huge vote of confidence in Brock Purdy and Kyle Shanahan.”
At 33 years old entering the season, Evans adds another experienced piece to an offense already featuring McCaffrey and Kittle—both over 30. But Peacock believes Evans’ skill set should age better than most receivers.
“Mike Evans is aging, and maybe he wasn’t the fastest guy to begin with, but his game’s not built around speed,” Peacock explained. “It’s probably a lot more like when the 49ers brought in another aging, formerly elite player in Anquan Boldin.”
Evans’ size and physicality remain his biggest advantages.
“He’s six-five, 230. He’s got long, 35-inch arms,” Peacock said. “It’s the biggest target you can throw to a wide receiver in the NFL.”
Even if Evans has lost a step, Peacock believes his style of play should allow him to remain productive.
“One yard of separation for Mike Evans is like five yards of separation for another wide receiver,” he said.
Last season, Evans played just eight games due to a fractured collarbone, but tallied three touchdowns and 368 yards on 30 total receptions.
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 12: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers points against the Washington Commanders during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Raymond James Stadium on January 12, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Prior to an injury-plagued 2025, Evans had logged 11-straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards, matching Hall of Famer Jerry Rice for the longest such streak in NFL history. Evans has also averaged 10 touchdowns per season during his 12-year career.
Still, the larger concern remains the health and durability of an aging roster. Evans missed significant time last season, though Peacock isn’t overly worried about the injuries themselves.
“On the positive side with injuries… there’s a reason he had 11 straight years of 1,000 yards,” Peacock said. “He was always on the field.”
But the bigger issue could simply be age, as Evans is entering his age-33 season. During the 2025 season, Stefon Diggs (32) and Courtland Sutton (30) were the lone players over 30 years old to bring in over 1,000 receiving yards. 36-year-old Travis Kelce (861 yards) was the next-closest player on that list.
“Guys break down at this age,” Peacock admitted. “He’s got a lot of tread off of his tires. Can he be on the field? That would be the big question.”
For a team trying to remain a contender, Evans may provide a short-term boost. But the long-term question remains whether the 49ers’ veteran core can stay healthy long enough to make another Super Bowl push.
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.
Listen to and watch Sactown Sports’ The Matt & Kayla Show with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.
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