After 12 Years in Tampa, Mike Evans Explains Why He Picked the 49ers

Mike Evans signed a three year deal approximately worth $20 million/year with the 49ers following his departure from the Buccaneers.

After 12 Years in Tampa, Mike Evans Explains Why He Picked the 49ers

Brock Purdy and Mike Evans (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Mike Evans left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 12 years to join the San Francisco 49ers.
  • He believes he can be the missing piece for the 49ers, who had a strong season despite injuries.
  • Evans was influenced to join the 49ers by head coach Kyle Shanahan and tight end George Kittle.

It wasn’t easy for Mike Evans to leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after spending the better part of 12 years with the NFC South franchise. He experienced a myriad of memories while donning the cherry red of the Buccaneers.

Evans married his college sweetheart, Ashli Evans (née Dotson), had four children, won a Super Bowl, and enjoyed a happy, fulfilling life. So, the decision to leave Tampa Bay and the Buccaneers was not an easy one for the veteran wide receiver to make.

That said, Evans, 32, wanted a fresh start. He searched for a team that not only offers him game time but also has the potential to help him win a second ring. His search led him to sign with the San Francisco 49ers.

On Thursday, Evans chatted with reporters via a Zoom call, sharing his reasons for choosing the 49ers over other teams.

A team [the 49ers] that always competes, even with the injuries. I feel like they were one piece away, and I think that I’m that piece. I look forward to coming here and proving that.

Mike Evans said

Definitely a mic-drop comment from the All-Pro wideout. Evans is well-loved and respected across the league, but with that statement, he might have inspired 49ers fans to grab his jerseys as soon as they hit the aisle in the nearby fan shop.

The Buccaneers missed the playoffs last year after the Panthers edged them out on a head-to-head tiebreaker. Carolina made it only as far as the wild card round, losing to the Rams. However, it was the Seahawks and the Patriots who played in the Super Bowl, with the Seattle franchise coming away with a victory.

In the aftermath of the Super Bowl, several NFL teams searched for veteran wide receiver help for their quarterbacks. Evans was particularly excited about the opportunity to join the Bills and play alongside quarterback Josh Allen. However, a meeting with the 49ers general manager, John Lynch, and head coach Kyle Shanahan convinced him that Santa Clara is the right place for him.

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 (H/T: 49ers Webzone)

He also spoke with the Niners tight end George Kittle before making a final decision.

George [Kittle] was the biggest salesman. George sold it big time. He’s a big reason why I’m here, just because the type of player and teammate that he is.

Moments after the Niners officially announced they were signing Evans, Kittle shared his raw excitement in an Instagram post.

An ESPN analyst shares an intriguing take on Mike Evans joining the 49ers

For many years, it was believed that Evans would finish off his career with the Buccaneers, who drafted him seventh overall in 2014. He repaid the Bucs with 11 straight 1000-yard campaigns, going level with Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

After 12 Years in Tampa, Mike Evans Explains Why He Picked the 49ers
#13 Mike Evans (Image via IMAGO)

He could have set a new record, but an ACL tear derailed his season, which ended with 30 receptions for 368 yards and 3 touchdowns. Evans recently signed with Rice’s former team, the 49ers, on a three-year, $60.4 million deal.

ESPN analyst Mina Kimes likened this move to a summer deal the Baltimore Ravens made a couple of years ago.

It feels a little bit like [Derrick] Henry joining the Ravens. Everything in football history tells you to bet against a player in their 30s, and the position, but then they join the right situation and you know how good this player is and how smart they are, and how the coach is going to use them, it just makes a lot of sense.

Mina Kimes said

Running back Derrick Henry piled up 1,921 yards in 2024 and 1,595 yards this past year, scoring 16 rushing touchdowns on both occasions. Evans is more than capable of racking up high-volume numbers with the right supply. With Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings’ futures uncertain, Evans seems like exactly the kind of player Brock Purdy would love to target on game day.

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