SANTA CLARA, CA — The San Francisco 49ers didn’t just rebuild their receiving corps this spring; they detonated it. After a messy divorce from Brandon Aiyuk left the roster thin, GM John Lynch swung for the fences by signing future Hall-of-Famer Mike Evans to a three-year contract and adding veteran Christian Kirk. But while fans are cheering, rival executives are sounding alarms about the fit between the $265 million quarterback and his new vertical weapon.
On paper, the move is a masterstroke. The 49ers finished the 2025 season with a 12-5 record but struggled in the red zone when the play broke down. Evans provides a massive 6-foot-5 frame that demands double coverage. However, a segment of the league’s scouting community remains skeptical. They wonder if Purdy, who thrived on the “run-after-catch” brilliance of Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings, can adjust to a receiver who plays a different brand of football. Evans recorded over 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, but he isn’t a burner who creates space with pure speed.
The skepticism centers on Purdy’s preference for throwing into the teeth of the defense. Last year, the Niners relied on “bang 8” posts and shallow crosses that allowed receivers to catch the ball on the move. Evans, now 32, operates in the air. He wins with body positioning and back-shoulder fades—a part of the playbook the 49ers have rarely touched during the Purdy era.
“This guy runs 19 MPH. He is a back-shoulder, possession X, which has not been Brock Purdy’s game. He’s not going to run in the middle of the field like Jauan Jennings did on those daggers and deep-ins, catching it on the go. He isn’t a run-after-catch guy.”
— Anonymous NFL Executive, via The Athletic
The 49ers’ identity has shifted. For years, Kyle Shanahan’s offense functioned as a track meet. Without Aiyuk stretching the field and with Jennings likely heading to the Titans to reunite with Robert Saleh, the 49ers had no choice but to pivot. Christian Kirk provides a steady presence in the slot, but the season rests on the Evans-Purdy connection. If Purdy can’t learn to “throw him open” on the perimeter, the 49ers might find their high-priced offense grounded before the playoffs even begin.
The chilly March winds at Levi’s Stadium didn’t stop the front office from writing big checks. Now, the pressure shifts to the practice field. Purdy has four months to master the back-shoulder fade before the 2026 season kicks off. If he fails, the “Super Bowl or Bust” mantra in Santa Clara will feel more like a warning than a goal.
