The NFL world was shocked when the San Francisco 49ers were able to lure veteran wide receiver Mike Evans away from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the only team he had played for during his first 12 NFL seasons. Evans is ready for a new challenge and looking to prove he remains a formidable offensive weapon as he approaches his 33rd birthday.

Evans was sidelined for a portion of training camp due to a quad strain but recently returned to practice.


Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak offered an assessment of Evans' performance during training camp.

"Getting him back into the swing of things, just with our practice tempo, our route tree," Kubiak said. "And I think he's doing a good job. Just kind of adjusting to Brock, adjusting to, like I said, our route tree, and kind of learning the timing of things. It's new for any player, but he's doing a heck of a job.

"Mike's a really, really smart guy. He is on it. He's out there competing and getting better. Today, we got him in one-on-ones. He ran some good routes, and I just like his growth every day.

"Mike has the right mindset that he's just out there to get better. He wants to make our team better, and that's what it takes. So, I'm really happy with where he's at."

Tight end George Kittle expects Evans' presence to open things up for the 49ers' offense and create opportunities for big plays.


"Anytime you add Mike Evans to the outside, it's not like they can really stuff the box, because at any moment, you can just throw a go ball," Kittle shared. "So most corners are going to need help over the top. Hopefully, we're not really playing with eight to nine guys in the box on every single snap. I think that'll help."

Impressive 49ers rookie De'Zhaun Stribling


Rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling, the 49ers' top selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, has been a standout throughout training camp. He also impressed in the preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans, hauling in seven catches for a game-high 63 yards on eight targets.

Kubiak was pleased with Stribling's performance but noted that the rookie still has plenty to improve upon.

"I think he did a good job," Kubiak said. "There's a lot for him to learn from that game. There's things from the game that I think everyone knows why we love him—the way he is with the ball in his hand, the way he catches the ball. He's a very, very strong player, but there's things that he needs to keep working on—the route running, the detail with alignment, all those things.

"That's going to get better with time, but he just needs to see it, see the reps, get better from the tape. But I was pleased with how he played. He made some good plays, and he's just got to keep growing, keep taking steps every week."


Kittle added that Stribling has the right mentality to succeed in the NFL.

"I love what Stribling's doing right now," Kittle said. "My favorite thing about Strib is actually just his mindset every single day. There's no ego at all."

While many are quick to praise the rookie receiver, Stribling takes criticism from the coaching staff in stride and is eager to make the necessary adjustments to improve his play, even when the criticism is delivered in front of the entire team.

"Strib didn't take offense to that," Kittle said. "He looks at it as like, 'All right, well, hey, Coach gave me an opportunity to get better.' And like that's the mindset you have to have, and you got to be allowed to get coached. He's not sensitive whatsoever. He's got the right mindset for everything, and he shows up every day, and I think he just works really, really hard.

"And that's all I've heard about him, too. I'm not in every single meeting with him, but I've only heard great things about him. I think he has a chance to be a very, very good football player for us this year."

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