Jason Burgos
The San Francisco 49ers‘ signing of six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans this offseason has gotten mixed reviews from rival executives.
After a 12-5 finish to the 2025 season, the 49ers have been very active over the first few weeks of the NFL offseason. Signing several proven veterans to improve the roster to better compete with division rivals, the Los Angeles Rams and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.
The most notable addition they made last month was future Hall of Famer Mike Evans. The 32-year-old will play a key role in giving Brock Purdy a needed go-to receiver and filling the WR1 void. However, rival executives have differing opinions on how impactful Evans can be in 2026. First, the good.
“A one-year deal for $14 million, that is low risk,” an executive told The Athletic’s Mike Sando. “It gives them a big body. You get a vet in that locker room at that position. I do not mind it for a one-year rental.”
Another NFL decision maker lauded the move for the immense upside Evans can bring to the 49ers redzone attack. “They are going for it, man,” the exec said. “The red zone production is going to go up even more. Now you have the backside X that can win one-on-one.”
NFL executives bash San Francisco 49ers signing of Mike Evans
While some NFL executives liked the Evans signing, others didn’t at all. With one mocking his fit in San Francisco’s current offense.
“This guy runs 19 mph,” the exec said. “He is a back-shoulder, possession X, which has not been Brock Purdy’s game, and he’s not going to run in the middle of the field like Jauan Jennings did on those bang 8s (skinny posts) and daggers and the deep-ins, catching it on the go and being a run-after-catch guy.”
Another brought up the team’s recent investigation into a substation near their practice facility causing their injury woes, by claiming the 49ers continue to add players known to have trouble staying healthy.
“Everyone starts talking about the substation and, ‘Why are we always hurt?’” the exec said. “It’s because you sign hurt players. Mike Evans is going to miss 4-6 games this year, Dre Greenlaw is going to miss eight, and you are going to wonder why your players are always hurt.”
Evans and the 49ers will have the chance to prove those executives wrong in a few months.
