Overview
- The 49ers signed veteran wide receiver Mike Evans this offseason on a multi-year deal to give Brock Purdy a proven boundary and red-zone target.
- ESPN analyst Ben Solak says Evans’ size and route efficiency on deep in-breaking patterns match concepts Shanahan already uses and could change how the 49ers attack outside coverage.
- Teammates inside the building reacted positively, with George Kittle calling Evans the first clear veteran wideout San Francisco has had since 2019 and reporting noting strong early impressions in practices.
- Durability is the chief open question because injuries limited Evans to eight games in 2025 and ended his 11-season streak of 1,000-yard campaigns, a factor reflected in his omission from ESPN’s top-10 receiver list.
- How often Evans influences play-calling will hinge on his availability in 2026, and his addition introduces a new tactical variable for Shanahan that could shift target distribution and red-zone looks for Purdy.