Mike Evans to sign with 49ers: Behind the massive free agency move

Mike Evans is set to leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the first time since being drafted by the organization in 2014 and embark on the next phase of his career with the San Francisco 49ers.

The news came on Monday during the first hours of the legal tampering period that the 49ers had agreed to terms with Mike Evans to bring him to San Francisco. According to reports, Evans will sign a three-year contract with the 49ers.

49ers signing WR Mike Evans to a three-year deal. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/xXwPvL73qP— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026

Reports in the days leading up to free agency opening this week indicated that Evans would be 'exploring his options' in the free agency market, with the 49ers widely considered one of the favorites to land the all-time leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in Tampa Bay history.

"After twelve remarkable seasons in Tampa Bay, Mike Evans felt a desire to challenge himself with a new chapter in the final stage of his career," said Deryk Gilmore, who serves as the agent for Evans, in a statement on Monday. "Mike has tremendous love and respect for the Buccaneers organization, the Glazer family, the coaches, his teammates, and especially the fans in Tampa Bay who have supported him since the day he was drafted. Tampa will always be home to him, and he is deeply proud of everything they accomplished together."

Evans, who recorded 11 consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin his NFL career before injuries forced him to miss over half the 2025 season, will provide a massive boost to a receiver room in San Francisco that will lose three wide receivers to free agency and will need to figure out something to do with Brandon Aiyuk, given the deteriorating relationship between the two parties.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Mike Evans to sign with 49ers: Behind the massive free agency move