The San Francisco 49ers decided to make a bold move in free agency this offseason. San Francisco decided to sign wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year contract. He has played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since the 2014 NFL season.
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Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs against Carolina Panthers linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
This comes as a major surprise. One of the reasons why this comes as a major surprise is not because of Evans leaving Tampa Bay. It is because San Francisco was not mentioned in the Evans sweepstakes. The Buffalo Bills, the New England Patriots, and some others were mentioned in the sweepstakes, but the 49ers decided to make a win-now move. Will it matter in the short-term for them or no?
Colin Cowherd Doesn’t Like the Mike Evans Signing For the San Francisco 49ers
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Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) with the ball as Carolina Panthers safety Nick Scott (21) and linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) defend in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Evans could be the best wide receiver that Brock Purdy has ever had to throw to. With that being said, some people, like Colin Cowherd did not like the Evans signing for the 49ers. He made some interesting remarks about it and said,
“The 49ers truly believe age is just a number. Last year, when Seattle and San Francisco played for the final time, the Niners were the oldest team and theSeahawkswere the fifth-youngest team. Seattle blew their doors off. So, in a division with a very athletic, young on defenseRams, and the very young Seahawks everywhere, I don’t necessarily love adding a 30-year-old receiver who was banged up this past year. San Francisco’s got some players that are older than the trolley cars in the city. Guys, you gotta get younger.”
San Francisco has a lot of older players on the roster. With that being said, if they can stay healthy, they could be a playoff team once again. Evans is 32 years old. He only played in eight games last season with Tampa Bay. Evans caught 30 passes for 368 yards receiving and three touchdowns, along with averaging 12.3 yards per reception. He also has been targeted 61 times.
Hopefully for the 49ers, they get the elite Mike and not the injury prone Mike. Cowherd has a point that the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams are much younger than San Francisco. With that being said, the signing does make sense for them especially after Brandon Aiyuk disappearing on them last season.
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