Mike Evans joins 49ers after 12 seasons with Buccaneers

Star receiver calls decision to leave Tampa Bay a 'no-brainer' after video call with 49ers coaches

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:21am

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After 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, star wide receiver Mike Evans has signed with the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year contract worth up to $60.4 million. Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler, said the decision to leave Tampa Bay was difficult but joining the 49ers was a 'no-brainer' after talking with head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch. Evans, who has over 13,000 career receiving yards and 108 touchdowns, is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 season.

Why it matters

The 49ers were in need of a proven, top-tier wide receiver after planning to part ways with Brandon Aiyuk. Evans' addition gives the 49ers' offense a major boost as they look to build on their 12-5 season and playoff appearance in 2025 despite numerous key injuries.

The details

Evans, 32, turned down a more lucrative offer from the Buccaneers to sign with the 49ers on a relatively reasonable three-year deal. He cited his admiration for coach Shanahan's offense and the energy of the 49ers' fanbase as major factors in his decision. Evans is coming off an injury-filled 2025 season where he played in only 8 games and failed to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in his career.

  • Evans played 12 seasons with the Buccaneers from 2014-2025.
  • Evans signed with the 49ers as a free agent on March 13, 2026.

The players

Mike Evans

A 32-year-old wide receiver who spent the first 12 seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, making 6 Pro Bowls and recording over 13,000 receiving yards and 108 touchdowns.

Kyle Shanahan

The head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, who helped convince Evans to join the team after a video call.

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who also participated in the video call that led to Evans signing with the team.

George Kittle

The star tight end of the San Francisco 49ers, who made a recruiting call to Evans that was a key factor in his decision to join the team.

Brandon Aiyuk

A wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers who was placed on the reserve/left squad list in 2025, leading the team to part ways with him and create a need at the position that Evans now fills.

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What they’re saying

“I did my research on a lot of teams that I was looking at. I was looking at contenders, guys with good quarterbacks obviously. 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.”

— Mike Evans (wbal.com)

“I love money, obviously, like everybody else. But the money was not the biggest factor for me. 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.”

— Mike Evans (wbal.com)

What’s next

Evans will look to bounce back from his injury-plagued 2025 season and help the 49ers contend for a Super Bowl in 2026.

The takeaway

The 49ers have added a proven, elite wide receiver in Mike Evans to their offense, giving them a major boost as they look to build on their strong 2025 season and make a deep playoff run. Evans' decision to join the 49ers over more lucrative offers shows his desire to compete for a championship in the later stages of his career.