The San Francisco 49ers made a splash in free agency by securing Mike Evans from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a three-year deal, giving their wide receiver room an immediate boost. Despite the high-profile acquisition, the 49ers still came up short in landing another coveted $63 million free agent, leaving questions about how they’ll round out their offensive weapons for 2026.
49ers Land Mike Evans but Miss Out on John Franklin-Myers in Free Agency Shuffle
While the 49ers signed Evans, they were also negotiating with former Broncos’ defensive lineman John Franklin-Myer. You can’t sign everyone in the NFL’s free agency, and that forced every organization to make decisions.
They addressed a need by signing Evans to a three-year deal, a player who spent the first 12 years of his career with the Buccaneers and has 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons.
The 49ers are expected to sign Evans to a three-year deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
ESPN sources: former Buccaneers six-time Pro-Bowl WR Mike Evans is expected to sign a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. pic.twitter.com/wXhuDjqX0N
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2026
Evans has been the model of consistency in the league and only missed a 12th straight season of 1,000 yards last year because of injuries. The six-time Pro Bowl receiver joins a 49ers’ receiving room that was decimated by injuries last season.
With Ricky Pearsall and Juaun Jennings both missing time, it left running back Christian McCaffrey as the team’s leading receiver.
Now, Evans will be the veteran star on the team, with Jennings a solid No. 2 option and Pearsall continuing to develop. But with the Evans signing, the 49ers lost out on Franklin-Myers, who was another top target.
John Franklin-Myers gets $42 million guaranteed from the Titans, who battled it out with the 49ers when the negotiating window opened and landed their top target. https://t.co/IsZJQqJ7LO
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
The 49ers dealt with an incredible amount of injuries on both sides of the ball, including edge rusher Nick Bosa and interior defense lineman.
Franklin-Myer would’ve been a key star free agent addition along the 49ers’ defensive line in rebuilding a unit that was near the top of the NFL the last few years.
Nose tackle Jordan Elliot is an unrestricted free agent, and the 49ers will need to find a replacement at the position.
There has been reported interest in a trade for Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter from the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, and Las Vegas Raiders.
Then there’s money elsewhere the 49ers have already spent, like the $17 million extension of kicker Eddy Piñeiro. While the 49ers missed out on Franklin-Myer, they did get Evans, and they were also interested in Indianapolis Colts’ receiver Alec Pierce, who resigned with the team for a big deal.
As for Franklin-Myer, he’s one of many big free agents the Titans have brought already on a busy day.
