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Mike Evans Makes Key Statement About Signing with San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers needed a wide receiver. They’ve now secured one of the best available. However, the story of Mike Evans’ move to Santa Clara didn’t begin with contract figures or scheme fit, but rather with a phone call from an injured tight end.

This week, Evans signed a three-year deal worth up to $60 million, bringing Brock Purdy a true No. 1 wide receiver that the 49ers had been missing. He had options, with several teams expressing interest. But when speaking to the media on Thursday, Evans made it clear who made the final call. “George was the most persuasive,” Evans said with a smile. “George really sold me. He’s the main reason I’m here, just because he’s such a great player and teammate.”
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George Kittle of the 49ers convinced Evans to join San Francisco.

The friendship between Evans and George Kittle dates back to the 2018 Pro Bowl, a relationship spanning nearly a decade. When the 49ers needed someone to convince Evans, Kittle was ready, even though he’s currently recovering from an Achilles injury that may sideline him for part of the 2026 season.

It worked. Evans wasn’t chasing money, which made his decision even more significant. “Money is not the most important thing to me,” he said. “It’s just football. And that’s what excites me. I’m really excited. Every time I step into Levi’s Stadium and feel the energy of the fans, I get energized. The rich history of the San Francisco 49ers always gets me fired up. I feel like it’s given me a boost in my career, and that’s why I chose to come here.” The contract includes only $16.3 million in guaranteed money, a structure that provides flexibility for both sides if things don’t work out.

Nick Wagoner
@nwagoner
Mike Evans says that 49ers tight end George Kittle was the biggest persuader in getting him to San Francisco.
Evans said Kittle was a major reason why he ultimately chose to join the Niners.
1:58 PM · March 12, 2026

Evans Makes Bold Statement About Brock Purdy

Evans also had plenty to say about the quarterback he’ll be catching passes from. He called Brock Purdy a “true professional” and a “guy who’s really underrated,” adding that he had seen Purdy’s potential all the way back in 2022. “The first game he started was against my Buccaneers,” Evans said. “Right then, I realized that if I played with him, I felt I could help him a lot. He was already a really good player. I hope I can help him achieve his career goal, which is to become a Super Bowl champion, an MVP contender, and have a great career in San Francisco.”

This isn’t the talk of a veteran just taking his last paycheck. Evans speaks as if he truly believes in what he’s about to do, and the 49ers will cherish every word he says.

Conclusion for San Francisco

Evans arrives with a chip on his shoulder after injuries limited him to just eight games in 2025, snapping a streak of 11 consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards. “I always feel like I have something to prove,” he said. “I always feel like I can do even better.”

San Francisco has the quarterback, the coach, and the team culture. What they needed was a great wide receiver. Kittle made the decision. Evans made the right choice. Now, the 49ers will get to see the results as everything comes together.

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49ers Make Latest Move Regarding Mac Jones’ Future as GM John Lynch Receives More Than 3 Calls and $30 Million Trade Requests
San Francisco, California The San Francisco 49ers are facing a major decision in the 2026 offseason regarding the future of quarterback Mac Jones. Despite being a backup to Brock Purdy in the past season, Jones impressed with his stellar performances when filling in for Purdy during his toe injury. Now, with strong interest from multiple teams, GM John Lynch has received several calls and offers exceeding $30 million for Jones, making his future with the 49ers a hot topic. Jones, who signed a two-year deal with the 49ers last offseason, showed his worth in 2025, starting eight games while Purdy dealt with an injury. Jones led the team to a 5-3 record in those games, keeping the 49ers competitive in the playoff race until Purdy’s return. Jones' performance has generated significant trade interest from teams in need of a reliable quarterback. However, with a contract extending through the 2026 season and proving to be an elite backup, the 49ers may choose to hold onto him. According to sources close to the 49ers, GM John Lynch has received more than three calls from teams looking to acquire Mac Jones. The offers have come with impressive price tags, reportedly reaching over $30 million. This high demand for Jones reflects the value teams place on a reliable backup quarterback, especially one with Jones' experience and potential. However, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, while the 49ers have received multiple inquiries, they haven’t shown a strong inclination to let Jones go, and they may hold onto him unless the price is right. “He’s not just any backup quarterback; he’s a player with immense value, and he could help the team stay competitive in any situation,” Russini said. A star at Alabama, where he won a national championship in 2020, Jones was drafted by the New England Patriots in the first round (15th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, with the expectation that he would be Tom Brady’s successor. After a successful rookie season, which earned him Pro Bowl honors and led the Patriots to the playoffs, Jones struggled in the following two years, which led to the Patriots trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars before the 2024 season. During his sole season with the Jaguars, Jones started seven games in place of an injured Trevor Lawrence, completing 65.3% of his passes for 1,672 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. After the season, the Jaguars did not retain him, opening the door for the 49ers to sign him to a two-year deal. The 49ers have made it clear that Jones will not be easy to acquire. As the backup quarterback position is one of the most critical roles in football, the 49ers are asking for a significant return. With Jones proving his worth during the 2025 season, teams in need of a quarterback are eager to land him, but the high asking price may deter some teams from making a deal. With multiple teams expressing interest in Jones and offering impressive sums, GM John Lynch now faces a tough decision. He could keep Jones as an elite backup to Brock Purdy, ensuring depth and security at the quarterback position, or he could accept an offer that would allow the team to be more flexible financially during the offseason. Despite the growing interest from other teams, the future of Mac Jones with the 49ers is still uncertain. The 49ers will need to carefully weigh the offers and decide whether to keep Jones as a valuable insurance policy or let him go in exchange for significant trade compensation. With the 2026 season on the horizon, the 49ers’ decision regarding Jones could be one of the key moves of their offseason.

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