Veteran NFL receiver Mike Evans agreed to a three-year contract with the 49ers on Monday. Legendary linebacker Patrick Willis weighed in on the signing while joining the “Real Ones” podcast this week with fellow San Francisco star Fred Warner.
“When I first heard about it, I was in a mind of, ‘Is he going to want the ball, is he going to demand it?'” Willis questioned.
The 49ers’ injury woes continued last season, and with all the baggage Brandon Aiyuk brought to the organization, the team was in need of a top wide receiver.
“When I realized what the 49ers have at the offensive helm,” Willis continued, “Shanahan leading, you have guys like [Brock] Purdy, [George] Kittle, [Ricky] Pearsall, all those guys; it’s going to open everything up for those other guys.”
San Francisco was lacking a dependable red zone target. With Jauan Jennings being an unrestricted free agent, it made sense to bring in a proven game-changer like Evans.
“You’ve got to respect him as a football player,” Willis stated. “For what he’s done in this game and how good he is.”
In the first 12 years of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Evans put up 108 touchdowns in 176 games played.
“I like the acquisition, because I really think he’s going to help the offense,” Willis concluded. “He’s going to open it up for obvious reasons.”
The 49ers were 10th in the NFL last season in points per game with 25.7, and the Evans addition should boost that number even higher next year.
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