49ers' Christian McCaffrey excited for Mike Evans signing

The star running back believes the veteran wide receiver is the 'perfect fit' for San Francisco's offense.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 5:20am by

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or match, with overlapping planes of red, gold, and navy blue colors representing the San Francisco 49ers' uniforms and players in motion.The 49ers' offense aims to soar to new heights with the addition of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, who will team up with star running back Christian McCaffrey.San Francisco Today

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey was thrilled when the team signed veteran wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year, $42.5 million contract in March 2026. McCaffrey believes Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler, will be a perfect complement to the 49ers' offense and is excited to learn from the experienced wideout.

Why it matters

The 49ers' offense struggled with injuries to quarterback Brock Purdy and the receiving corps in the 2025-26 season, forcing McCaffrey to carry the load. The addition of Evans, a proven playmaker, should help take pressure off McCaffrey and provide a reliable target for Purdy as the team looks to return to the NFL's elite.

The details

McCaffrey said he was 'so fired up' when he first learned of Evans' signing, calling the wide receiver 'one of the best go-ball runners in the history of the NFL' who 'plays with a chip on his shoulder.' The 29-year-old running back is excited to 'pick his brain' and learn from Evans' experience.

  • In March 2026, the 49ers signed Mike Evans to a three-year, $42.5 million contract.
  • The 2025-26 NFL season saw the 49ers' offense struggle with injuries to quarterback Brock Purdy and the receiving corps.

The players

Christian McCaffrey

A superstar running back for the San Francisco 49ers who was named First-Team All-Pro for the third time in 2025-26 and won Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year awards.

Mike Evans

A veteran wide receiver who spent 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before signing with the 49ers in 2026. He is a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl 55 champion.

Brock Purdy

The 49ers' starting quarterback who battled injuries throughout the 2025-26 season.

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What they’re saying

“I was so fired up, man. He's somebody that, if you're a fan of football, you've watched his entire career. And it's hard not to like the guy... He's somebody that, in my opinion, has never gotten enough credit and I think he plays that way.”

— Christian McCaffrey, 49ers Running Back

“He plays with a chip on his shoulder, he's one of the best go-ball runners in the history of the NFL, he blocks his butt off, he's mean and he's the perfect fit for our offense.”

— Christian McCaffrey, 49ers Running Back

What’s next

The 49ers are hoping that the addition of Mike Evans, along with the return to health of Brock Purdy and the receiving corps, will vault their offense back to the top of the NFL in the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The 49ers' offense struggled with injuries in 2025-26, forcing Christian McCaffrey to carry the load. The signing of veteran wide receiver Mike Evans is intended to provide a reliable target for Brock Purdy and take pressure off McCaffrey, potentially propelling the team back to championship contention.