49ers, Brock Purdy Hit With Mike Evans Warning

ClutchPoints ^ | Apr 3, 2026 | RB Hayek

[nickcarraway]

NFL execs debated whether wide receiver Mike Evans will be a good fit for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and his throwing style.

The San Francisco 49ers got a big boost in the offseason after they signed wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year contract. But now executives are starting to debate whether 49ers' quarterback Brock Purdy is capable of taking advantage of the new weapon, according to Mike Sando of The Athletic.

“They are going for it, man. The red zone production is going to go up even more. Now, you have the backside X that can win one-on-one,” one executive said positively about the deal.

While that was the initial praise heaped upon the Niners, there were other conflicting thoughts. Another exec did not agree with the first take, and stated it might not work.

“This guy runs 19 MPH. He is a back-shoulder, possession X, which has not been Brock Purdy's game, and he's not going to run in the middle of the field like Jauan Jennings did on those bang 8's (skinny posts) and daggers and the deep-ins, catching it on the go and being a run-after catch guy,” the exec stated.

The 49ers signed Evans and Christian Kirk this offseason to overhaul a depleted wide receiving core that had gone astray over the last year. After the Niners fell out with Brandon Aiyuk, their core was decimated, and left with guys they had either picked up off the waiver wire or who were not resigning.

Time will tell if these two signings pay off. For now, Purdy will have two new veteran arms to throw to. Evans is a potential future Hall-of-Famer. Kirk is a solid receiver who can make explosive plays. Everyone will know if this works out in a few months when the Niners start a new season.

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[nickcarraway]

I've never seen any other player more hated, lied about, and denigrated than this guy.

I don't think many of these people are watching these games. They don't really seem to know how Purdy plays.

For one thing, the 49ers were last in the league in YAC in 2024, and not that much better in 2025.

[Rowdyone]

Purdy’s not “known” for throwing the back shoulder or out because he’s never had receivers who are adept enough or big enough to win contested throws along the sidelines. As for crossing routes over the middle he still has Piersal, Kittle, Kirk and McCaffrey out of the backfield for that. If the Niners revamped Oline can give Purdy time to step into his throw he’ll get the job done.

[John Milner]

The guy is always going to be questioned.

The fact that he nearly won the Superbowl his rookie season after being picked last in the draft still sticks in the craws of the ‘experts.’

[nickcarraway]

People don't understand him at all. He really doesn't like going to the shallow middle, and it's definitely not his strong suit.

Since he has come into the league, he is no. 1 among all QBs in deep passes. In 2023 and 2024, he had more than double the completion percentage of Patrick Mahomes on deep passes. (I haven't seen the number this year, but he's been the same.)

While he was ranked no. 1 in deep passes, he was 17th in passes less than 10 yards. (That was 2023, not sure what it is now.)

Contrary to the perception, he threw checkdowns at the 2nd lowest rate in 2024. (Caleb Williams was no. 1. Haven't seen the numbers for 2025. He probably was coached to do it a little more in 2025, but it wasn't too much.)

McCaffrey was on pass for more than 1000 receiving yards when Purdy was injured, and Mac Jones was playing. He was also in the top 5 of receptions. But that slowed way down once Purdy returned. Not that he doesn't like throwing to McCaffrey, but he has a relentless desire to push the ball down the field.

[nickcarraway]

The guy is always going to be questioned.

Apparently, it won't go away. I don't think he could get MVP, not matter what he does.

Will it eventually go full Tebow? The 49ers could could cut him after this year, and after next year, they can cut him with no hit, except for the prorated signing bonus. After 2027, they have to resign him, or he's gone.

2026 will be the first year he makes more than his backup. He makes less than Geno Smith.