Before wide receiver Mike Evans chose to sign with the San Francisco 49ers—turning down a larger offer from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, his team for 12 NFL seasons—he reached out to a trusted source: tight end George Kittle.
Kittle, a nine-year veteran with the organization, played a key role in convincing Evans that San Francisco was the right fit as the receiver looked for a change heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, earlier this week and was asked about the value of having a player like Kittle—someone who actively promotes the organization and helps attract free-agent talent.
"It always is [helpful]," Shanahan said. "I mean, players, they talk to each other all the time, and when you have guys who communicate, guys who've got a good personality, guys who speak highly of the program and things like that, it definitely never hurts."
After signing with the 49ers, Evans confirmed just how impactful that conversation with Kittle was in his decision-making process.
"George was the biggest salesman," Evans said. "George sold it big time, and he's a big reason why I'm here, just because of the type of player and teammate that he is."
Kittle also offered insight into his recruiting pitch and what the 49ers organization has meant to him throughout his NFL career.
"I was as honest as I could be about the type of team we have and the type of franchise we have," Kittle recently said. "The biggest thing I'm proud of as a Niner is how much the ownership puts back into the team and players, from how we travel to how they take care of us with body therapy. I think that's unique and how every team should be, but not every team does that.
"And I told him we have one thing in mind — to win a Super Bowl, and that's a culture people want to be around."
With respected leaders like Kittle helping shape perception around the league, the 49ers continue to strengthen their reputation as a destination for players looking to succeed.
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