“Hell of a Pickup” – Mike Evans Delivers Bold Verdict on Deebo Samuel’s 49ers Return

Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel are trending to become WR1 and WR2 for the 49ers in 2026.

“Hell of a Pickup” – Mike Evans Delivers Bold Verdict on Deebo Samuel’s 49ers Return

Deebo Samuel (Image via IMAGO)

The San Francisco 49ers reuniting with wide receiver Deebo Samuel has Mike Evans excited. The All-Pro wideout called the move “hell of a pickup.”

After months of speculation, Deebo Samuel finally decided to return to the 49ers for a second stint. He was linked to teams like the Chiefs and Ravens, but he eventually chose the Niners.

Reporters asked 49ers wideout Mike Evans to share his thoughts on the signing at the Niners’ training camp.

Deebo is my guy. 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. I think he’s gonna bring what he brought before to the team. Energy. Versatility. Hell of a pickup for us.

Mike Evans said via KNBR

Samuel joined the Washington Commanders in 2025. He made 16 appearances and caught 72 passes for 727 yards and scored 5 touchdowns in addition to rushing for a score.

After the season ended, the Commanders did not show much interest in keeping Samuel. Samuel waited for another team to make the call. On Thursday, July 30, Samuel signed a one-year $7 million contract with the 49ers.

The Niners signed Mike Evans early in the offseason. Evans played 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2020, he won a ring by defeating the Kanas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. Three years later, he matched Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s consecutive seasons (10) with 1000 receiving yards record.

With the Bucs missing the playoffs last year, Evans opted to leave the team and seek a new challenge. In March, Evans signed a three-year deal worth up to $42.4 million with the Niners. Evans credited head coach Kyle Shanahan for bringing him to San Fran.

I’ve always been a fan of Kyle [Shanahan] … and he just talked about how he sees me in this offense, and it just made me even happier, and it was a no-brainer, really, after I got on the phone with them.

Evans said
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George Kittle had teased Deebo Samuel’s return

The 49ers lost Jauan Jennings to the Minnesota Vikings, and Brandon Aiyuk’s future seems to be away from San Fran as well. The Niners added Christian Kirk and drafted Ole Miss graduate De’Zhaun Stribling.

"Hell of a Pickup" - Mike Evans Delivers Bold Verdict on Deebo Samuel’s Return
Deebo Samuel (Image via IMAGO)

With Ricky Pearsall entering a minor rehab to fix his knee, the Niners thought it was better to reunite with someone they had worked with before. Deebo Samuel emerged as the obvious candidate after the All-Pro tight end George Kittle had dropped a massive hint.

My message for Niners fans, ‘Hey, if a rebuild year got us 13 wins and a win in the wild card, that’s pretty good. It’s only going to get a little bit better from that and all the boys are coming back again and, who knows, we might add some past friends’.

George Kittle said during Super Bowl week

Kittle mentioned that he hung out with Samuel. Months later, the pair are reunited once again. Kittle celebrated the news on Twitter.

The Niners drafted Samuel 36th overall in 2019. From then on, he has made 97 appearances in the league (including the Commanders). He has caught 406 passes for 5519 yards and scored 27 touchdowns. He also has rushed for 21 TDs. According to NFL Network’s Anthony Holzman-Escareno, Deebo Samuel is the only receiver in NFL history with 20+ receiving TDs and 20+ rushing TDs.

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