“Yeah, it depends if he stays healthy,” Shanahan told reporters on Saturday. “Mike to me is always, if you’re a starting receiver, you’re out there a ton which everyone is. I forget what it was last year, maybe hamstring, where he missed time and when that happens you miss games.

“But Mike’s going to be a starting receiver here and we don’t like any of our guys to go every play. We want our guys going full speed and it’s hard to go full speed every play. So, we’re always going to spell guys. But hopefully, he’s got a little quad right now, which I know Mike probably believes he could be back right now. We’re being smart with him, but he’s going to be good to go.”

Brock Purdy has an elite wide receiver in Evans, who can make a difference when healthy. Can this duo lead San Francisco back to the top of the NFL?

An elite weapon for the 49ers

With the addition of Mike Evans, the San Francisco 49ers added one of the most reliable wide receivers of his generation. Although injury issues limited his final 2025 campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to just 8 games—finishing with 30 receptions, 368 receiving yards, and 3 touchdowns—his broader resume speaks for itself.

Evans holds the NFL record for the most consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to start a career with 11 straight from 2014 to 2024, bringing a elite, proven deep-ball and red-zone threat to the 49ers’ offense.

What injury is Evans dealing with?

After missing several games in 2025 due to a hamstring strain and a broken collarbone, Mike Evans is currently recovering from a strained quadriceps suffered during the first week of 2026 training camp with the San Francisco 49ers.

The first challenges for Shanahan and the 49ers

Kyle Shanahan wants to take San Francisco back to the Super Bowl, and to do so, he will need to get off to a strong start in the upcoming NFL season.

• vs Los Angeles Rams, Week 1
• vs Miami Dolphins, Week 2
• vs Arizona Cardinals, Week 3
• vs Denver Broncos, Week 4
• at Seattle Seahawks, Week 5

Speaking to NFL Network, Emeka Egbuka spoke on Mike Evans, saying he was a great mentor, but also stated that the offense “won’t miss any beats” now that he’s gone. Egbuka had a brilliant rookie season, especially in the first half of the year, so there is plenty of hope that he delivers as the WR1 now.

Egbuka might play with a quarterback who holds a grudge. Baker Mayfield warned the Buccaneers and told them they’ll regret the decision to not give him a contract. However, he also needs a contract, so he must play at a top level, which favors Egbuka.

Bucs’ WR depth chart

Mike Evans was the absolute face of this franchise. However, Egbuka was right when he said the Bucs offense shouldn’t miss a beat. Their WR room is still stacked with talent.

• Emeka Egbuka
• Chris Godwin
• Jalen McMillan
• Tez Johnson
• Ted Hurst III
• Kameron Johnson

The Bucs need to make an impression

Todd Bowles can see his job go if things don’t go his way. It also seems like the Bucs will have to shop for a quarterback. Hence, it’s a do-or-die season for them. Otherwise, an imminent rebuild will come.

The Bucs lost the NFC South title for the first time since 2019, and missed the playoffs altogether. The fact is that this is a division that they should have confidence in winning, but locker room messes must be controlled first.

Earlier this week, the 49ers also re-signed Deebo Samuel, updating their wide receiver depth chart. However, they had already secured a top-tier wideout in Evans, a player Purdy is thrilled to work alongside.

“Mike is a different breed when it comes to playing X-receiver,” Purdy told NFL Network. “Having all the abilities and gadgets to run quick routes, medium routes, and then go deep. And honestly, when it looks like he’s covered, still giving him a chance and having him go up and get it—I’ve never really had that in my career.“

Mike Evans lands in an ideal offensive scheme

In head coach Kyle Shanahan, the 49ers possess one of the finest offensive minds in the NFL. Shanahan has guided Brock Purdy into an elite distributor, even while navigating persistent injuries across the skill positions over recent seasons.

Now, the Niners made the deliberate decision to provide Purdy with a physical, dominant boundary receiver in Evans. While the veteran dealt with an injury-disrupted 2025 campaign, he enters an ideal environment in San Francisco to showcase that he remains a upper-tier playmaker.

A six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Evans brings immediate game-changing utility to Purdy’s offense. Paired with fellow veteran Deebo Samuel, the 49ers’ intention is clear: give their quarterback two reliable, experienced sets of hands to elevate his execution and maintain command over the NFC West.

Due to Brandon Aiyuk’s uncertain status and lingering depth concerns, the 49ers decided to bolster their wide receiver room by reuniting with Deebo Samuel. He will join Mike Evans as one of the primary weapons for Brock Purdy, and Evans is thrilled about the addition.

“I met him at the Pro Bowl in 2021. We hit it off. We were hanging out all week. I love the way he plays the game,” Evans said on Friday. “I think he’s gonna bring what he brought before to the team. Energy. Versatility. Hell of a pickup for us.”

Aiming to achieve success in 2026

When the 49ers signed Mike Evans in free agency, the message was clear: winning in 2026 is crucial. Evans remains an elite target, but age is gradually becoming a factor in his career timeline.

With the return of Deebo Samuel, that championship urgency intensifies. Samuel enjoyed standout seasons during his initial tenure in San Francisco, though recent campaigns have been hampered by injury setbacks.

Operating with a veteran tandem whose 2026 season could mark a final championship run together, the 49ers aim to secure a Super Bowl title this year before eventually re-tooling the position.

What will happen with Brandon Aiyuk?

As for Brandon Aiyuk, the 49ers still have him on the Reserve/Did Not Report list. The wideout is no longer part of their long-term plans, yet San Francisco has been unable to find a trade partner for him so far.

It appears to be only a matter of time before the 49ers release him. However, rumors suggest an early retirement could also be on the table as he continues struggling to recover successfully from his ACL injury.

Responding to reporters in a video shared by Jenna Laine on X, Mayfield opened up about the departure. “There’s no way to sugarcoat it — it’s disappointing to not have him back,“ he said, while revealing that he still maintains a great relationship with Evans despite him switching jerseys.

Mayfield noted they will be “good friends for life” when discussing his bond with the former Buccaneers wideout, who spent 12 years with the franchise. Evans was recently praised by his new 49ers teammate George Kittle, who was highly impressed after watching him showcase his skills during organized team activities (OTAs).

Can the Buccaneers survive without Evans?

The Buccaneers wide receiver room still features plenty of talent ahead of the 2026 NFL season, ensuring Mayfield will have reliable hands ready to catch his passes. However, losing Evans means losing a career 15.1 yards-per-reception average and a consistent deep threat, which could impact the team’s offensive production this year.

Evans endured an injury-shortened 2025 campaign, marking the first time in his 12 years with the Buccaneers that he appeared in fewer than 10 games in a single NFL season. His durability over more than a decade was unmatched, frequently playing through pain to post 11 consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards.

While the 49ers are adding an elite weapon to their arsenal, the Buccaneers now have to figure out how to replace that historic production. Expecting the offense to click perfectly right away without him is a risky bet, as the younger receivers will have to step up with far less experience and veteran guidance in the room.

So far, what Kittle has seen from Evans is impressive. During a recent press conference, the tight end revealed how sharp the new wide receiver looked during organized team activities (OTAs), saying, “If you look back at the 49ers, this is like the first legit veteran wide receiver I’ve had on my roster since Emmanuel Sanders in 2019, in my opinion… Just to see him run routes and the way that he sees things, it’s just so fun.“

What really caught the attention of reporters, however, was Kittle emphasizing that Evans could give the 49ers a special element the team has lacked for years. “Mike just brings a whole new thing,” Kittle added. “You guys weren’t here for red zone. I think he had three to five touchdowns the first day. He’s incredible.“

Is Mike Evans good enough for the 49ers?

Evans is a seasoned veteran just like Kittle, but with even more mileage in the NFL. Having played in the league since 2014, he is entering his 13th season as a wide receiver. Before making the move to the Bay Area, he played exclusively for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl and earning six Pro Bowl selections.

Now with a new team, things change a bit for him. He has new teammates, a new head coach, and a younger quarterback. This transition could offer him a fresh spark, while Evans’ elite expertise provides a major boost for Brock Purdy, who benefits immensely from having another top-tier weapon on the outside.

During his final NFL season with Tampa Bay, Evans was limited to just eight games due to injury. Now fully healthy, the 49ers will look to see if he is in peak shape during the opening weeks of the upcoming 2026 season and if he can continue to produce close to his stellar 15.1 career yards-per-reception average.

“They’re talented,” Bowles said via nbcsports.com. “We know they’ve got a lot of talent right there. Any time you lose a player like that, or any player that was legendary on their team, different guys got to come in and step up. That’s the nature of sports, and I’m sure we have some guys in that room that will.”

Not only from a statistical standpoint, but also because of the leadership Evans represented for the Buccaneers, he will be difficult to replace. It will be up to coach Bowles to find a way to fill that void, relying on big names such as Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. to get the job done.

Mike Evans’ legacy in Tampa Bay

During his legendary 12-year run in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans wasn’t just a reliable target; he completely rewrote the franchise record books as the ultimate model of consistency. The guy walked into the league and immediately dropped 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons right out of the gate—an NFL record to start a career and a streak tied with the legendary Jerry Rice for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons ever.

In his 176 regular-season games with the Bucs, he racked up a staggering 866 receptions, 13,052 receiving yards, and 108 touchdown catches, utterly dominating the team’s all-time receiving leaderboards. He capped off his incredible legacy as a core piece of the Super Bowl LV championship squad, forever cementing his status as a Tampa Bay icon, a lock for the Bucs’ Ring of Honor, and a future Hall of Famer.

Todd Bowles trusts his wide receivers

If they can stay healthy, it is clear that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ receiving corps is one of the best and most solid in the NFC. Todd Bowles knows he has plenty of talent at his disposal, and he spoke highly of the work Jalen McMillan has done this offseason.

“Jalen’s tough. His mental toughness is unbelievable,” the head coach said. “His competitiveness, the way he attacks the ball, the way he fights for every route and wants to get open and be that guy, that gives you a lot of confidence.”

Evans hit the open market as a free agent following the conclusion of the 2025 season. Although several teams expressed interest in his services, he chose to remain in the NFC to suit up for the Niners.

The Buccaneers have stated they do not feel betrayed by Evans’ decision. However, the front office has made it clear that they did everything within their power to retain the talented wideout.

“He means everything to me,” general manager Jason Licht said, via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, “but he means everything to the entire organization. Obviously, he’s the best offensive player we’ve ever had and an even better person than he is a player. So, it’s always tough. That one was really tough. . . . We made a significantly higher offer, and that was just the first offer. It became pretty clear that he and his family were just ready, like he said publicly, for another chapter.”

Mike Evans will be crucial for Brock Purdy

With the arrival of Mike Evans, the 49ers gain a new WR1 as Brandon Aiyuk appears set to depart the club. A veteran of Evans’ caliber should be instrumental in bolstering an offense led by quarterback Brock Purdy.

Evans has spent 12 years in the NFL, and in 11 of those seasons, he managed to secure at least 1,000 receiving yards. If he can stay healthy, the Niners may have finally found the missing piece for a championship run.

With Evans listed as the top target, Ricky Pearsall moves into the WR2 role, while newcomer Christian Kirk slides in as WR3. This creates a formidable group that could provide Purdy with exactly what he needs to dominate the NFC West.

Will the 49ers release Brandon Aiyuk?

The situation involving Brandon Aiyuk remains one of the most intriguing storylines surrounding the 49ers. The wide receiver is reportedly expected to be released, as he no longer appears to fit into coach Kyle Shanahan’s long-term plans.

In 2025, reports surfaced that Aiyuk was not committed to the team’s rehabilitation program, preferring to handle his recovery independently. This created a rift between the player and the organization, ultimately leading to his impending exit.

“I don’t feel betrayed,” the GM said, via the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud. “He earned the right to make the decision… he loves this team. He loves everything about it… I think he wanted a new challenge.”

Evans gave the Bucs his all, even winning a Super Bowl alongside Tom Brady. Can Tampa Bay move forward without one of its biggest leaders?

Evans’ legacy in Tampa Bay

Mike Evans leaves an unparalleled legacy in Tampa Bay after joining the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year deal signed in March 2026.

Since being drafted 7th overall in 2014, Evans spent 12 legendary seasons with the Buccaneers, becoming the first player in NFL history to record 1,000+ receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons.

He departs as the franchise’s all-time leader in every major receiving category, boasting career totals of 866 receptions, 13,052 yards, and 108 touchdowns, cementing his status as a future Hall of Famer and a Super Bowl LV champion.

Bucs’ plans to replace Evans

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season with a transformed wide receiver depth chart, after Evans departure.

The starting unit is led by Emeka Egbuka, a 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist who recorded 938 yards and 6 touchdowns, alongside the explosive Jalen McMillan and veteran leader Chris Godwin Jr., who remains a focal point of the offense despite recent injury setbacks.

Providing depth are Dennis Houston, specialized speedster Tez Johnson, and Kameron Johnson, while young developmental talents Jaden Smith and the versatile Garrett Greene round out the bottom of the rotation as they compete for roster spots in training camp.

The rest of the 49ers depth chart is made up of Jordan Watkins, Jacob Cowing, and Junior Bergen, while slightly further back are Malik Turner and Colton Dowell.

In the Bay, they want to move past last season, where injuries—many of them serious—were the common denominator. Brock Purdy now has elite key weapons ahead of what’s to come.

Evans emerges as WR1

Mike Evans recently joined the San Francisco 49ers as the new WR1 after signing a three-year, $60.4 million contract. Following a short 2025 season where he posted 368 yards and 30 catches in eight games, the veteran provides Brock Purdy with a massive 6’5″ target and a dominant red-zone presence.

Kirk’s numbers in Houston

During his 2025 campaign with the Houston Texans, Christian Kirk appeared in 13 games, primarily serving as a reliable slot option in CJ Stroud’s offense. While his overall production dipped compared to his peak years in Jacksonville, he finished the regular season with 28 receptions for 239 yards and one touchdown, though he truly shined in the postseason with a massive 144-yard, 1-touchdown performance against the Steelers in the Wild Card round.

Improving the passing attack

Kyle Shanahan must revitalize the 49ers’ passing attack after a regression in 2025 that saw the team drop to 21st in passing yards per game. Despite Brock Purdy’s efficiency, the air game struggled with consistency, averaging only 212 yards through the air and failing to capitalize on deep-ball opportunities during crucial divisional matchups.

It’s hard to argue with him. Evans is by far and away the best receiver the 49ers will have in quite some time. Evans also explained his decision to leave Tampa Bay a few days ago.

Evans is also a massive red zone threat, as he is just taller, stronger, and skillful than any other wideout on the roster. In fact, even at his age (he will enter the 2026 season with 33), he has showed no signs of slowing down. He only had 368 yards last year, but played less than half a season due to a broken clavicle. This was the first time in his 12-year-career that he didn’t reach 1,000 receiving yards.

Brock Purdy will cherish throwing the ball to Evans

Brock Purdy has had quite the story. He was Mr. Irrelevant in 2022, ended up earning the starting spot on the 49ers, being a Pro Bowler and fourth in the MVP voting in 2023. He has guided the 49ers to the Super Bowl and now, despite only playing nine games in 2025, he had a 7-2 record.

Purdy has never had a WR as accomplished as Evans. As of now, Brandon Aiyuk is the receiver that has the most yards with Brock Purdy. He has 2,214 yards, but Aiyuk and the 49ers relationship is broke and he is likely to get released. Deebo Samuel had 1,760 but he left the team, and Jauan Jennings has 1,723 yards caught from Purdy’s passes, however he is a free agent. Hence, Evans is entering a WR room desperate for production.

The 49ers have three elite veterans in the skill positions

Christian McCaffrey is a veteran, but he is still one of the best running backs in the NFL. The same applies for George Kittle, who is still a top-tier tight end in the league. Now, Evans joins the club of ‘old-but-gold‘ players on the Niners. Also on that club, but not in a skill position, left tackle Trent Williams is still a force to be reckoned with as he is one of the best linemen of all time.

Having said that, George Kittle is still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered back in January. It remains to be seen if he will be able to recover before the season starts or not. Still, the 49ers have a good contingency plan in Jake Tonges, just in case Kittle takes more time to recover.