Mike Evans San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Getty
Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Heading into NFL free agency, one of the biggest names on the open market was veteran star wide receiver Mike Evans, who spent his entire professional career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ultimately, Evans decided to sign with the San Francisco 49ers as a free agent, drastically upgrading the team’s receiving corps, with the team expected to part ways with Brandon Aiyuk and likely letting Jauan Jennings walk in free agency.
MikeEvansLinkedto49ers’Record NotTouchedSince2002
Mike Evans San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GettyMike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Along with likely becoming star quarterback Brock Purdy‘s favorite target downfield during the 2026 NFL season, Evans has the chance to give the 49ers something the storied franchise hasn’t had since the 2002 campaign with Hall of Famer Terrell Owens.
According to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard, the 49ers haven’t had a player at wide receiver haul in 10 or more receiving touchdowns since Owens.
David Lombardi
The 49ers haven’t had a wide receiver record 10 or more receiving TDs in a season since 2002, the longest such drought in the NFL. Terrell Owens had 13 receiving TD in 2002.
Mike Evans has 6 seasons of 10+ receiving TDs in his career
“The 49ers haven’t had a wide receiver record 10 or more receiving TDs in a season since 2002, the longest such drought in the NFL,” Lombardi wrote. “Terrell Owens had 13 receiving TD in 2002. Mike Evans has 6 seasons of 10+ receiving TDs in his career.”
Although there’s been plenty of talented wide receivers to come through the 49ers organization since Owens, Evans is definitely an upgrade in that department and might be able to continue putting up numbers if able to stay healthy.
Evans has been one of the most consistent wideouts in the league during his playing career, as he has caught 11 touchdowns or more six times during his stint with the Buccaneers.
He’s also racked up 1,000 receiving yards or more in all but one season in the 12 years he’s played, and that was only due to injuries he sustained in the 2025 NFL campaign.
Mike Evans Reveals Why He Chose 49ers in NFL Free Agency
Mike Evans San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers
GettyMike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans had no shortage of options when entering free agency, including returning to the Buccaneers for what would’ve been a 13th season.
However, the appeal of joining the 49ers was something he didn’t want to pass up, as money wasn’t the determining factor, via Jose Sanchez of 49ers On SI.
“The money was not the biggest factor for me,” Evans said. “It was just football. And something that I can be excited about. I’m super excited. Every time I come to Levi’s Stadium and I see how the crowd is, I see the energy that they bring, the rich history of the San Francisco 49ers just excites me. I feel like it’s given me a second wind in my career, and that’s why I chose to come here.”
Evans will get his chance to prove his worth to the 49ers’ faithful, as he will certainly be a big piece to the offensive puzzle next season, especially if Jennings heads elsewhere.
As long as Evans and Purdy are on the same page, the 49ers have a great chance of establishing a dominant pass attack, making San Francisco a force to be reckoned with in the NFC once again.