During a sit-down interview with NBC Sports Bay Area's Laura Britt at the Dwight Clark Legacy Series event on Wednesday, Purdy discussed his early work with Evans and why he believes the veteran receiver will make an immediate impact in the 49ers' offense.
Purdy recalled studying Tampa Bay Buccaneers film with Evans and noticing what he believed to be a familiar red-zone concept used in the 49ers' system. However, Evans quickly corrected him, explaining that the route was actually a choice concept that gives the quarterback multiple options depending on the defensive look.
That adjustment gave Purdy a new appreciation for Evans' understanding of the game.
"That's like stuff that we're going to have to talk through and work through, but I'm so excited because this guy sees the game, I feel, like a quarterback does," Purdy said. "Sometimes with skill players, it's tough because they run their route, 'Coach taught me, eight yards, I'm breaking this way or that way.'
"But when you get a guy that can see the game like a quarterback and have a feel for it, those are the kind of guys that I think take their game to the next level, and you get a Hall of Famer like Mike Evans."
Evans is entering his 13th NFL season after spending his first 12 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran wideout has recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in every season of his career except 2025, when injuries limited his playing time.
Purdy is excited to work with a proven veteran receiver who boasts an accomplished résumé.
"He's a Hall of Famer, thousand-yard seasons, really year after year, his whole career," Purdy said. "He's won a Super Bowl. Just being around him and in his presence and understanding what it's going to take to play with him.
"And just like, honestly, like the good pressure that it brings, like all right, I have a guy that is demanding success and demanding to be great, and I love that. I want to play with guys like that."
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