George Kittle reveals how he helped sway Mike Evans to 49ers

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18 March 2026 at 17:35

The San Francisco 49ers signed wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year, $42.5 million deal that looks bigger on paper than it actually is. The contract basically works as a one-year, $14.3 million fully guaranteed commitment.

It includes a $12 million signing bonus and option bonuses of $12.05 million in 2027 and $10.95 million in 2028, which adds up to $23 million total.

Evans is coming off a 12-year stretch in Tampa Bay where he put up franchise records with 866 catches, 13,052 yards, and 108 touchdowns in 176 games.

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At his introductory press conference, Evans said George Kittle played a big role in getting him to San Francisco. Kittle broke down that recruiting pitch during an appearance on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast.

“One of the biggest things I said is that the Niners organization puts so much money back into the players and how they take care of us, how we travel, how our facility is ran… [49ers CEO Jed York] does such a good job of putting money back into the team so that we can be at our best,” Kittle said.

“I just think our organization is ran like an NFL team is supposed to,” Kittle added. “If you ask a 10-year-old kid like, ‘What would you expect an NFL team to do?’ We do all that plus more. So, I kind of just sold him on the organization.”

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans warms up before the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Kittle made it clear the 49ers had more to offer than just catching passes from Brock Purdy. He talked up a locker room that does not create drama, saying he’s barely had a teammate over the past five years he did not get along with.

That player-driven setup, combined with a physical brand of football, stuck with Evans. After leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following their 2025 collapse, Evans wanted to know he was heading somewhere stable. San Francisco gave him that, along with what looks like a better shot at another Super Bowl.