Mike Evans calls decision to join the 49ers after 12 seasons in Tampa a ‘no-brainer’

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — The decision to leave Tampa Bay wasn’t easy for Mike Evans after he and his family built strong relationships with the Buccaneers and the community over 12 seasons.

Picking a new spot once he decided to leave was far easier for the star receiver. Evans dove into possible destinations before the start of free agency and made his final decision quickly on Monday after a video call with San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch.

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“I did my research on a lot of teams that I was looking at. I was looking at contenders, guys with good quarterbacks obviously,” Evans said Thursday. “So I was looking at here, Buffalo Bills, teams that needed a number one wide receiver. This was my number one spot on my own. And then I talked to John and Kyle and it solidified it for me. I’ve always been a fan of Kyle. He just talked about how he sees me in this offense and it just made me even happier. It was a no-brainer really after I got on the phone with him.”

After making more than $150 million in his career, Evans turned down a more lucrative offer from the Bucs, according to his agent, to sign with San Francisco on a relatively reasonable three-year contract worth up to $60.4 million with $16.3 million guaranteed.

Evans said a recruiting call from star tight end George Kittle was the final piece that led to his ultimate decision.

“I love money, obviously, like everybody else. But the money was not the biggest factor for me,” he said. “It was just football and something that I can be excited about. I’m super excited. Every time I come to Levi’s Stadium and I see how the crowd is and I’ll see the energy that they bring and the rich history of the San Francisco 49ers, it just excites me. So I feel like it’s given me a second wind in my career. That’s why I chose to come here.”

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Evans is coming off an injury-filled 2025 season when he only played eight games and failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his 12-year career.

The Niners needed a proven receiver with the team planning to cut ties with Brandon Aiyuk…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/mike-evans-calls-decision-join-201803098.html

Author : JOSH DUBOW

Publish date : 2026-03-12 20:18:00

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