The San Francisco 49ers did not stumble into signing wide receiver Mike Evans. General manager John Lynch, the franchise’s 10th-year front-office leader, revealed at the NFL’s annual meeting in Phoenix this weekend that the team made genuine attempts over an extended period to retain wide receiver Jauan Jennings on a long-term contract before those talks eventually fell apart.
That failure opened the door for Evans, a 12-year veteran who spent his entire career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before agreeing to a three-year deal with San Francisco in March. Lynch met with reporters at the Arizona Biltmore on Sunday and addressed the decision with notable candor.
His remarks were shared via @Coach_Yac on X on March 30.
“It was hard because Jauan played a lot of good football for us,” Lynch said. “We made a lot of efforts to try and get Jauan done long term and in the end last year we came up with a one year deal.”
John Lynch was asked why the 49ers chose to sign Mike Evans over Jauan Jennings:
“It was hard because Jauan played a lot of good football for us. We made a lot of efforts to try and get Jauan done long term and in the end last year we came up with a one year deal with some… pic.twitter.com/gxtNIerPjR
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) March 30, 2026
The restructured one-year arrangement, reached during a tense training camp in the summer of 2025, came with up to $3 million in added incentives. According to ESPN, Jennings had also requested a trade and battled a calf injury that kept him out of camp.
He returned and contributed. Jennings finished the 2025 season with 55 catches for 643 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games.
San Francisco 49ers, Mike Evans, NFL
Dec 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) celebrates after catching a pass for a two point conversion against the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
As of Sunday, Jennings had not signed anywhere. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was also present in Phoenix for the meetings.
“He’ll find a good home, and Jauan will go play great football for someone,” Lynch said. “I can’t say enough for what that guy did; when that guy stepped between the lines, man, he was a presence, and they had to deal with him, and he won us a lot of games.”
The 49ers also saw Brandon Aiyuk, Kendrick Bourne, and Skyy Moore depart this offseason. The receiver room needed significant rebuilding before the season.
Evans Chose San Francisco Over a Larger Offer From the Buccaneers
Evans, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, reportedly turned down a bigger number in Tampa Bay to join Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He recorded at least 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 NFL seasons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mike Evans, NFL, San Francisco 49ers
Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) reacts after a touchdown during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
His three-year deal with San Francisco carries a total value of $60.4 million, with guaranteed money averaging roughly $14 million annually.
Lynch made clear the decision ran both ways.
“We got him on a good deal,” Lynch told reporters. “He really wanted to be part of our organization. That’s humbling.”
Lynch Says the 49ers Now Have Two Experienced Veterans in the Receiver Room
San Francisco also signed veteran wide receiver Christian Kirk to fill out the corps. Lynch spoke openly about what that combination means to the organization.
“Those wide receiver rooms are always interesting ones, with a lot of dynamics,” Lynch said. Webzone. “To have two grown men is really exciting.”
The 49ers hold the No. 27 pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft, and Lynch noted that adding young receivers through the process is “healthy business.”
Lynch expressed doubt about going that early at receiver, though he acknowledged the depth chart is still a work in progress. The door at Brock Purdy’s disposal looks meaningfully different now than it did three weeks ago.