George Kittle is making sure the 49ers get back to the Super Bowl by becoming the team’s top recruiter during free agency
Mike Evans says Kittle pitched an offer he couldn’t refuse.
The San Francisco 49ers made one of free agency’s most exciting moves by signing future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans to help boost Brock Purdy’s game.
And according to Evans, 49ers star tight end George Kittle played a big part in convincing Evans to come to the Bay Area.
“I talked to most of the guys already on the team. … But George was the biggest salesman,” Evans told reporters during his introductory press conference, per CBS Bay Area’s Cam Inman. “I mean, George sold it big time. He’s a big reason why I’m here – because of the type of player and teammate he is.”
Kittle, like Evans, is trying to get a ring over the back end of his career
Evans turns 33 in August and Kittle turns 33 in October. Both guys know they don’t have much longer and Evans, specifically, has been on record stating that multiple times over the last couple of years.
They can still play at a high level and Evans is the perfect addition to Kyle Shanahan’s offense. His ability to not only stretch the field, but dominate in the short passing game, will open up all kinds of opportunities for Kittle and the seven-time Pro Bowler knows that. Especially when considering Christian McCaffrey will be coming out of the backfield, which creates a whole other set of problems for opposing defenses.
“I’ve always loved the way Kyle calls games,” Evans said when asked about Shanahan. “… This was my No. 1 spot on my own… [I’ve] always been a fan of Kyle and he talked about how he sees me in this offense. It just made me even happier and it was a no-brainer after I got off the phone with him.”
Kittle knew obtaining Evans gives the 49ers offense the piece it needs to keep performing at a high level (regarding what happens with Trent Williams aside) and his physical, big-bodied presence is another aspect that will help Purdy. He also knows Evans is just as passionate about winning as everyone else inside the 49ers’ locker room and it’s why he pushed so hard.
Evans views the 49ers as serious contenders, too, which only adds to Kittles’ pitch and while that was the wide suspicion as to why he joined San Francisco, he made it clear as day on Thursday.
“[The 49ers] went 13-4 last year,” said Evans via The SF Standard’s Dave Lombardi. “I think they were one piece away, and I feel like I’m that piece.”
Evans has always been about winning first and that was proven during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He always took deals that were a little lower than they should have been and that was even in the pre-Tom Brady years.
He’s the perfect fit not just for the 49ers offense, but for the culture that exists within the locker room. And it’s why he could very well get that second Super Bowl ring in 2026.
“I told him we have one thing in mind — to win a Super Bowl, and that’s a culture people want to be around,” said Kittle.
