Grading the signing: Mike Evans’ latest contract details prove just how much he values the 49ers over the Buccaneers
Evans clearly believes the 49ers are contenders and above the Bucs.
John Lynch, Kyle Shanahan and the rest of the San Francisco 49ers scored one of free agency’s biggest wins as long as future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans doesn’t change his mind before things become official at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11.
Regardless, the 49ers snagged themselves a top option to replace Brandon Aiyuk, giving Brock Purdy a No. 1 target in 2026 and beyond. Purdy now has a receiver who can win at all three levels of the field and provides an efficient downfield, red zone, and physical presence that is also an excellent teammate.
But as with any big signing there are two parts to the deal: The player and his abilities, plus the way the contract is structured.
49ers signed Mike Evans on the cheap and it could make him the steal of the offseason
It was initially reported the 49ers signed Mike Evans to a three-year, $60.4 million deal, but a further breakdown shows it’s even cheaper than that.
Per the 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov, Evans’ actual deal is a three-year contract worth $42.4 million, with $16.3 million in guaranteed money.
That’s absoultey ridiculous for Evans. I mean think about it, before incentives, that’s a little over $14 million per year, which is less money than what Rashid Shaheed just signed for with the Seattle Seahawks (he received a $17 million per year deal).
That’s absolutely wild for a guy who is still a good-to-great option at his position, but more importantly it protects the 49ers from Evans’ biggest, and only, red flag: injury.
Evans suffered his first extensive injury last season when he broke his collarbone against the Detroit Lions. Before that, he missed a few games after suffering a hamstring injury against the New York Jets in Week 3.
Again, the collarbone was his first extensive injury, but he’s missed a few games here and there in almost every season since 2019.
Either way, the contract structure is affordable, protects the 49ers from injury, and gives Evans plenty of incentive to bring his A game every weekend, which he’s bound to do, regardless.
It’s a total win for the 49ers and shows just how much Evans values the 49ers’ current position over the Buccaneers when it comes to contending for a Super Bowl.
Final Grade: A
