Evans has been remarkably consistent throughout his NFL career, recording over 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 seasons. The only exception came during an injury-shortened 2025 campaign.
Speaking to reporters Monday at the NFL meetings in Phoenix, Arizona, Shanahan was asked about his eagerness level to work with Evans.
"Oh, really eager," Shanahan said. "Mike's the man. I've been able to watch him for so long, like you guys. To me, he's definitely a Hall of Famer. He's as good as it gets in the way he plays. I've always just liked the competitor in Mike. His talent and everything has separated him, but really, it's just how he's come to work every day, just the people I know who've practiced with him, the way he is in the building, how important football is to him."
Evans reportedly turned down a higher-paying offer to remain with the Buccaneers, making his desire to join the 49ers clear.
"The fact that he chose to come to us just for the football situation and stuff shows how important football is to this guy," Shanahan said. "When you have veterans, and we've got a number of veterans, I love the thought of pairing him up with some of the guys that, to me, are playing for one reason, and that is to try to get to a Super Bowl."
Shanahan has been a fan of Christian Kirk
The 49ers also added veteran receiver Christian Kirk, another dynamic playmaker for Shanahan's offense. Shanahan admitted he has admired Kirk since his college days and is eager to work with him.
"Just like Mike, in terms of another veteran receiver who knows how to play," Shanahan said. "He's done it at a number of places. I've been a huge fan of Christian since he came out of college. Hated going against him in Arizona."
Kirk's most productive season came in 2022 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, when he recorded 84 catches for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns. While he hasn't matched that level since, Shanahan was impressed during his film study.
"Watching him on film this year, I think he looks like the same guy he's always looked," Shanahan said. "Yeah, he had a couple of injuries that set him back, but when he came back from them, he's the same dude he's always been.
"He competes, he blocks. I love getting, for lack of a better word, 'men' at the position, which is guys who've done it before, and nothing's too big for them."
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