Future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans sent shock waves through the NFL when he agreed to terms on a three-year deal worth up to $60.4 million with the San Francisco 49ers.
The former first-round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014 put together a historic streak of 11 consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards to start his career. That run came to an end last season when injuries held Evans to just eight games and 368 yards to go with three touchdowns.
Evans fills a huge area of need for the 49ers as a vertical weapon on the outside for star quarterback Brock Purdy. However, the one knock against the former Super Bowl champion receiver is his age.
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When he takes his first snaps with the 49ers in the fall, Evans will be 33 years old. He might not play all three seasons of his contract with the team, but the 49ers are hoping he can help maximize the team's championship aspirations in the short-term, even if that means dealing with the inherent injury risk.
NFL commentator Colin Cowherd was one of the few who pushed back against the idea of the deal being a win for the 49ers. He believes the deal with Evans only further highlights the biggest problem for San Francisco: its aging stars.
"[Christian] McCaffrey is 30, George Kittle is 32, Mike Evans is 33, Kyle Juszczyk is 35, Trent Williams is 38," Cowherd said on his show, The Herd. "The 49ers truly believe age is just a number. Seattle is one of the youngest teams in the league. Last year, when Seattle and San Francisco played for the final time, the 49ers were the second-oldest team, the Seahawks were the fifth-youngest team. And Seattle blew their doors off."
Cowherd's point does have validity. McCaffrey missed nearly the entire 2024 season with a calf injury, while Kittle and Williams both suffered injuries down the stretch of the 2025 season, with the former blowing out his Achilles in the playoffs.
Cowherd went as far as to compare the 49ers to their San Francisco neighbors, the Golden State Warriors.
"They're trying to keep the band together," Cowherd said. "You watch the Warriors last year play the Timberwolves in the playoffs and Steph Curry gets banged up, series over. I kind of feel when I watch the 49ers against the Rams or the Seahawks, they don't have enough young athletes."
The 49ers will try to address their needs for youth with seven selections coming up in April's NFL Draft, but the team could also look to acquire some younger talent in free agency this offseason. Even though the team's stars might be among the best at their respective positions in the NFL, the 49ers need to look for more reliable depth behind them as Father Time approaches.
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