The San Francisco 49ers made a concerted effort to reshape their wide receiver room this offseason, and their biggest move was adding veteran Mike Evans after the longtime Tampa Bay Buccaneers star spent the first 12 years of his NFL career with one franchise.

For quarterback Brock Purdy, Evans brings a new dimension to the 49ers' offense. The future Hall of Famer gives Purdy a big, physical boundary receiver and proven red-zone threat unlike any wideout the fifth-year quarterback has played with during his NFL career.


On Monday, Purdy joined Bay Area radio station KNBR and shared his early impressions of Evans as the two continue to build chemistry during training camp.

"Just a true pro," Purdy said. "Obviously, he's a Hall of Famer and all that, but just the way he goes about his business, coming in the locker room, getting ready. I could just tell. I'm like, 'Alright, the reason why this guy's played so long is his mindset.' The way he comes in and competes when he's out on the field running routes on air, and then, once we're going up against our DBs and stuff, it's like he's pushing, he's competing, and he wants the ball. And I'm like, 'I love this.'

"A quarterback seeing that out of a receiver, a guy that is itching to get the ball, and comes back to you and tells you certain things, I'm like, 'Alright, this dude's a competitor, and he's the reason why he is, because of his competitiveness and everything.' So, I'm definitely going to feed off that, and I'm excited to play with him."

Purdy and Evans have been building chemistry since organized team activities (OTAs), and that process continued during the break between the offseason program and training camp. After Monday's practice, Purdy revealed that the two spent time together away from the facility to develop their on-field connection further.

Now, they have the remainder of training camp to continue refining their timing and rapport before the regular season begins.


"I'm still getting used to him and everything, but being out there, and just giving him a chance, and watching him come down with it has been awesome," Purdy said. "I grew up watching him and stuff, and to now be able to throw to him and be on the same team and compete together, for sure, I pinch myself, and I'm like, this is surreal for me."

Evans brings consistent production to the 49ers' passing attack. He eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first 11 NFL seasons, falling short of that mark for the first time in 2025 after injuries limited his availability.

Follow us on: X, Facebook, Threads, Instagram

Read Original Article
Visit 49ers Webzone

More San Francisco 49ers News