49ers Predicted to Regret Big Offseason Addition in 2026

The San Francisco 49ers did not have to be extremely active in free agency this offseason.

The team already has one of the most talented rosters in the league, so it’s not like there were huge needs to be addressed. The team’s three main additions over the offseason were veterans who fit specific roles.

On defense, Dre Greenlaw and Osa Odighizuwa were brought in. On offense, Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel were the big additions. The Evans deal surprised some people, as Evans spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Now, the future Hall of Famer is trying to prove he can still perform at an elite level with the 49ers.

However, not everybody is convinced that Evans will work out in San Francisco.

Evans’ Deal Predicted to Age Poorly

Evans inked a three-year deal worth $42.4 million deal with $16.3 million guaranteed.

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report recently re-graded some of the biggest free agency signings. The Evans signing was given a C-, with Gagnon saying there’s a “decent chance” the deal blows up in the 49ers’ face.

“An all-in 49ers team desperately needed a receiver who could make an immediate impact, and Evans went over 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons,” Gagnon said. “But he’s now 33, coming off an injury-marred season, and dealing with a new ankle/foot injury in camp. There’s a decent chance this blows up in the team’s face.”

Evans just turned 33, and as Gagnon mentioned, he’s coming off the first injury-marred season of his career. Evans only played in eight games in 2025, and that was the first time he’d ever played in fewer than 13 games.

Of course, the 49ers have had plenty of injury issues over the years, and Evans hasn’t been immune to that. The veteran has been dealing with an ankle/foot injury this summer, and he’s had to miss substantial time. Is that going to be a bad omen?

The 49ers are counting on Evans to play a big role, especially now that Ricky Pearsall is out for the year. Evans, Deebo Samuel, and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling should make up a quality starting trio of receivers, as long as they can stay healthy.

No matter what Evans does in San Francisco, he’s headed for the Hall of Fame as soon as he retires. Evans compiled over 1,000 yards in each of his first 11 seasons in the league, and he would have done it 12 seasons in a row if he didn’t get injured in 2025.

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