George Kittle’s Influence on Mike Evans Joining the 49ers
George Kittle is on the mend following ACL surgery, yet the All-Pro tight end is still making significant waves.
It turns out Kittle’s pitch played a crucial role in Mike Evans’ decision to depart from the Buccaneers, where he spent 12 years, to join the 49ers. This was revealed by Evans during a recent interview.
The 49ers celebrated Evans’ signing by releasing a video, announcing a three-year contract reportedly valued at up to $42 million. This adds the towering 6-foot-5 receiver to the mix, giving quarterback Brock Purdy another formidable target.
San Francisco has been keen to enhance its receiving lineup, particularly with Kittle expected to be sidelined for a good portion of next season. General manager John Lynch has indicated that he doesn’t foresee Brandon Aiyuk returning to the team.
At 32, Evans acknowledged considering other teams, including the Bills, which boasted promising quarterbacks and a need for a top receiver. However, he felt that Kittle was “the biggest salesman” for the 49ers. “George sold it big time,” he added.
Despite being limited to just eight games in the previous season, Evans had previously enjoyed 11 straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. He expressed admiration for both Purdy and head coach Kyle Shanahan, recalling that Purdy’s first start was against him and the Buccaneers. “I thought if I could play with him, I could help him a lot,” Evans said.
He also noted that the 49ers had an impressive record of 13-4, even with various injuries throughout the season. Interestingly, he didn’t seem concerned about any potential distractions nearby.
“I feel like they were one piece away, and I feel like I’m in that piece,” Evans remarked. He’s eager to arrive and make a difference.
Considering the shift from Tampa Bay, where he was drafted seventh overall in 2014, Evans admitted the decision was challenging. He emphasized that “money wasn’t the biggest factor”—it was about football, something that genuinely excites him.
The prospect of playing at Levi’s Stadium within Shanahan’s system was evidently thrilling for Evans, as both parties came to an agreement shortly after the onset of NFL free agency.
With Kittle’s convincing endorsement already in play, Evans felt that his conversation with Shanahan was the icing on the cake.
“I’ve always admired Kyle, and he spoke to me about how I fit into this offense, which made everything even better,” he said. “Once I got off the phone with him, I knew I didn’t need to think twice about it.”
