49ers Sign WR Mike Evans to 3-Year, $60.4M Deal

The contract averages over $20M per year, less than initial reports suggested.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The San Francisco 49ers have signed wide receiver Mike Evans to a 3-year, $60.4 million contract. The deal averages over $20 million per year, which is lower than the initial reports that suggested Evans would command over $27 million annually.

Why it matters

The 49ers were able to sign Evans to a team-friendly deal, which could be seen as a win for the organization. However, the lower-than-expected contract may also raise questions about why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided not to retain Evans, given his production and the investments they've made in other receivers like Chris Godwin.

The details

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 3-year deal is worth $60.4 million, averaging just over $20 million per year. The full details of the contract structure, including guaranteed money and year-by-year breakdown, have not yet been disclosed.

  • The contract was signed on March 9, 2026.

The players

Mike Evans

A veteran wide receiver who has spent his entire NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to signing with the San Francisco 49ers.

Chris Godwin

A wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who is currently under a $22 million per year contract.

Emeka Egbuka

A rookie wide receiver who has performed well for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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What they’re saying

“The lower the number, the more conspicuous Tampa's decision not to keep Evans will become.”

— Mike Florio, Author (nbcsports.com)

What’s next

The full details of Evans' contract with the 49ers, including the structure and guaranteed money, are expected to be released in the coming days.

The takeaway

The 49ers were able to sign a top-tier wide receiver in Mike Evans to a team-friendly 3-year deal, which could give them an advantage in the competitive NFC West. However, Tampa Bay's decision to let Evans walk may come under increased scrutiny given the relatively low average annual value of his new contract.