Timing of 49ers deal with WR Mike Evans raises tampering questions

Pockets of Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans were shocked and saddened to learn on Monday that veteran wide receiver Mike Evans will be leaving the club after 12 seasons to sign a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers once the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday. 

News about Evans' decision broke hours after the "legal tampering" portion of free agency got underway. However, it appears Evans may have known where he was headed before this past weekend wrapped up. 

When did Mike Evans know he was signing with 49ers? 

As shared by the JoeBucsFan website, retired running back and current NFL analyst LeSean McCoy spoke about Evans relocating to San Francisco on the latest edition of McCoy's "Speakeasy" podcast. McCoy revealed that he spent time with Evans this past Saturday before the NFL free-agency negotiation window opened. 

"I was actually at his house Saturday," McCoy said about Evans. "And we talked about free agency. And he didn’t tell me he’s going to the Niners. But he said, 'Yo, there is a great possibility I’m going to the Niners. He was like, 'Oh, I like them.'" 

Why it may matter when Mike Evans knew he was joining 49ers

The perception exists that just about every NFL team basically ignores rules related to tampering each and every offseason. After all, insiders and reporters learn information about pending free agents during the annual scouting combine, which always occurs before the free-agency negotiation window opens. 

More often than not, fans and other outsiders forget about such stories before training-camp practices begin in the summer. However, the Atlanta Falcons were accused of having "improper contact" with three players before their official unrestricted free-agency periods following the 2023 season. Eventually, the Falcons were stripped of a fifth-round pick in the 2025 draft. The franchise was fined $250,000 for violating the league's anti-tampering policy, and the NFL also fined then-Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot $50,000.

The Buccaneers' long relationship with Evans may prevent them from making any noise about McCoy's comments, but it nevertheless could be interesting to see if the NFL looks into the 49ers' signing of the one-time Super Bowl champion receiver.