Wide receiver Mike Evans shouldn't have any trouble adjusting to the San Francisco 49ers' offense in his first season with the team. He's been in the NFL for 12 years and has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in 11 of those campaigns.
His only dip came in 2025, when injuries limited him to 368 receiving yards. Still, the veteran is motivated to prove he hasn't lost a step and remains among the NFL's elite playmakers.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is in Los Angeles for the inaugural Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium. He's already excited about what Evans brings to the 49ers offense.
"About the offense, obviously, you've got to look to Mike Evans first," Juszczyk told Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area. "What a great addition. A true one-on-one winner on the outside, a guy that's produced in the NFL for how long? I think that's going to be a seamless transition. Just the right guy that we need."
The 49ers' wide receiver room has undergone significant turnover this offseason. Brandon Aiyuk is on his way out, while Kendrick Bourne and Skyy Moore have already signed elsewhere. Jauan Jennings also continues to search for a new NFL home.
In addition to adding Evans, San Francisco signed Christian Kirk to a one-year deal. Those moves—along with several other roster additions—have Juszczyk optimistic about the 49ers' potential in 2026, particularly the impact veteran leadership can have on younger receivers like Ricky Pearsall.
"They can change a ton (on the offense)," Juszczyk said of the Evans and Kirk signings. "With the productivity that they've had, with the leadership those guys can bring, those additions aren't just about themselves. It's about Ricky and Jacob Cowing and Demarcus Robinson.
"As a unit, I feel like those two can raise the whole group, so really excited about all that."
San Francisco also addressed its defensive front, trading for former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa.
"Even just the few clips that I've seen, the guy seems to move different, and that's what we need," Juszczyk said. "And it seems like he's got some genuine power, athleticism on the interior defensive line, which you don't see a lot of with those big bodies like that. So, really excited about that addition."
Juszczyk shares a George Kittle's recovery update
Juszczyk is close friends with tight end George Kittle, who is rehabbing from the Achilles injury he suffered during the playoffs. There is growing optimism that Kittle could return to full strength in time to make a significant impact on the 49ers' 2026 season—potentially sooner than expected.
The fullback offered a positive update on his teammate's progress.
"He's been great," Juszczyk said. "He's been in great spirits. He's constantly rehabbing. He's doing everything that you should and [could] possibly do to recover as fast as possible.
"I have all the confidence in the world that, whatever his timeline is, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't beat it. He's just that type of guy. He attacks everything with a tenacity like that. I think George is going to be good to go."
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